International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism

God our refuge and strength,

We unite with others across the globe today, to remember those whose lives are upended by terrorism year upon year. We give them voice today and renew our commitment not to look away from the injustice they suffer. May we honor the memory of those who have died—those we have known and those who will never be known—by lending concrete support to those who presently live amid fears and threats of violence. In solidarity with them, we pray for your kingdom to come, with its healing and liberation, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Reflection “Love and truth will meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth will spring from the earth; justice will look down from heaven.” –Psalm 85:11-12 Prayer Reconciling God, We may struggle to imagine how all the wrongs will

Reconciling God,

We may struggle to imagine how all the wrongs will somehow be put right. How peace will ever come for all people, near and far. Yet your ways are higher than our ways and the plans that you have made are good and true. In the hope of faith, then, we look forward to a day when the earth itself will meet heaven’s justice. When a new day will dawn, and you will reconcile all things just as they should be. In our work today, may we all do our part in bringing your dream for the world one step closer to reality. Amen.

Reflection “When there is a hill to climb, don’t think that waiting will make it smaller.” –H. Jackson Brown Prayer God with us, Some of the greatest challenges we face in our personal lives have to do with finding direction and

Prayer

God with us,

Some of the greatest challenges we face in our personal lives have to do with finding direction and knowing the “right” path to take. Yet sometimes we know quite clearly which way we should go. We just lack the courage to get started. Give us that courage today. Fill us with determination and discernment, to pursue our calling with purpose and to face our obstacles with joy. After all, you are the one who has called us over the mountains we face, and you promise to accompany us every step of the way. Thank you. Amen.

Reflection “The only thing that ever sat its way to success was a hen.” –Sarah Brown Prayer Strengthening Spirit, We all grow weary at times, and so we must pause, rest, and recover. Other times, though, we just need motivation an

Prayer

Strengthening Spirit,

We all grow weary at times, and so we must pause, rest, and recover. Other times, though, we just need motivation and encouragement to press on towards our goals and pursue our calling. Give us both at the appropriate time and in good measure, both rest and encouragement, so that the mission we share with you might succeed. As we serve you today by serving your people, let us be more conscientious of those beside us, those who need a restful break and those who need a strengthening word. May we be eager to support one another in meaningful ways. Amen.

Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock

Feast Day of Our Lady of Knock

Prayer

God of the living,

In late-nineteenth century Ireland, an apparition of Mary, Joseph, and John the Evangelist on the side of a church held a crowd of spectators captive for over two hours in the pouring rain. Unique to their vision was the appearance of a sacrificial lamb standing on a cross and surrounded by angels. As we celebrate this extraordinary event with our Irish colleagues today, we ask that we might be bold enough to remain on the lookout for new revelations of your presence among us. Fill us with wonder! Amen.

Reflection “The Gospel takes away our right forever to discriminate between the deserving and the undeserving poor.” –Dorothy Day Prayer Unconditional Love, How challenging it can be for us to live out your mission! We know we’ve

Prayer

Unconditional Love,

How challenging it can be for us to live out your mission! We know we’ve been called to serve those who are poor, underserved, and dying. Yet if we are honest, we are all guilty at times of sitting in judgment of those who come through our doors. Forgive us. When we fail to embody your gospel fully, by holding back your compassion from those we deem undeserving… Renew us today by grace, as we renew our commitment to show your love and concern for all people, without condition or judgment. Amen.

Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Feast of the Assumption of Mary

Prayer

Word of Life,

May our daily lives reflect the hope of our salvation, which you have won for us and which the saints now enjoy in the fullness of your presence. Thankful for the example of faith that they left us, especially Mary, your mother, we pray for our own words and deeds to become a source of hope for those who are hopeless. As we accompany each other towards life’s open future, we pray. Amen.