Reflection “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.” –Beverly Sills Prayer Accompanying God, We love shortcuts! We are prone to jump at the promise of any new “hack” for this or that chore. Even in those important decisio

Prayer

Accompanying God,

We love shortcuts! We are prone to jump at the promise of any new “hack” for this or that chore. Even in those important decisions affecting our ambitions, hopes, and dreams… Even then we can be tempted to find an easy way out of the challenge, investment, and effort required. And yet we know better. The journeys that matter are those that take us the long way around, including the mission you started and that we share today. As we strive to extend your compassionate ministry, help us accompany one another in a spirit of comradery. May we encourage each other to avoid the shortcuts while reminding each another that the effort and sacrifice makes the journey worthwhile. For the life of the world, we pray. Amen.

Reflection “Compassion is the radicalism of our time.” –The Dalai Lama Prayer Compassionate God, We live in a society where passions and convictions about so many issues are making it harder for us to engage in a spirit of opennes

Prayer

Compassionate God,

We live in a society where passions and convictions about so many issues are making it harder for us to engage in a spirit of openness and dialogue, especially with those who see the world differently. We are incited to take sides against others and appear to be forgetting that, as one human family before you, we share a common origin and destiny. As important as our issues may be, lead us back to the path of compassion. Help us to put people ahead of agendas and be willing to enter another’s experience, ready to hear their stories of fear and hope about the directions we are headed together. As we all work to shape a better tomorrow, make us brave enough to leave no one behind. Amen.

Reflection “We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” –David Brower Prayer God of tomorrow, We are dedicated as a ministry to the cause of environmental justice and care for creation. Yet the

Prayer

God of tomorrow,

We are dedicated as a ministry to the cause of environmental justice and care for creation. Yet the challenges here are so immense that we stand in constant need of new hope and fresh inspiration. May we regain inner strength today by imagining how future generations will describe what we did with the world before them. In big ways and small, may our actions in creation become signs of our investment in their livelihood. Amen.

Reflection “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” –St. Augustine Prayer God of charity, Help us to practice the wisdom of the ancients, which is even confirmed by the best of our science toda

Prayer

God of charity,

Help us to practice the wisdom of the ancients, which is even confirmed by the best of our science today. When we hold on to old grudges and refuse to move past the wrongs done to us, we can grow sick in mind, body, and spirit. Help us to practice this wisdom today as we go about serving your people. Make us quick to forgive and to overlook others’ faults. May we not take offense or stew on the ways we’ve been hurt, but follow your rule instead: treating all people the way we would want to be treated, no matter what they may say or do unto us. Amen.

Reflection “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” –Luke 11:9 Prayer God who is there, Your word inspires us today to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Gi

Prayer

God who is there,

Your word inspires us today to continue asking, seeking, and knocking. Give us patience and stamina to do so. When we are tempted to let go of the dreams we have prayed for friends and family or even ourselves, lead us to rest again in your comforting promise. Those who ask, receive; those who seek, find; those who knock will be shown open doors. As we await your hospitality, provision, and deliverance, let there be others around us to encourage and remind us that there is always a reason to hope. Amen.

Reflection “Justice in the life and conduct of the State is possible only as first it resides in the hearts and souls of the citizens.” –Plato Prayer Just God, Our government has afforded us many blessings and privileges. Help us,

Prayer

Just God,

Our government has afforded us many blessings and privileges. Help us, as citizens, to be just as mindful of our duties and responsibilities in return. Most especially, let a passion for justice dwell in our hearts so that we will always remain hope-filled participants in the challenge of governance, eager to serve the common good and protect the dignity of all. May we forgo the temptations of disillusionment and be inspired instead to cooperate better together in the cause of justice and peace. As neighbors we pray, Amen.

Reflection “No one may claim the name of Christian and be comfortable in the face of hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and the world.” –U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops Prayer God over all, I

Prayer

God over all,

If we start to feel cozy in the face of so much injustice, we may have grown deaf to your presence and call. For your presence is near in the lives of those who are needy, and your call is made clear in the voices they raise for our help and assistance. If any one of us claims your Son as a model for life and for living, may we each be faithful in this much at least, that we love you precisely through loving our neighbor, especially those who are most deeply in need. Amen.