Memorial of Saint Bonaventure, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Opening Prayer

You are serious, God of justice! When the behaviors of our daily lives are not in accord with the values of Your reign, You turn Your face from our rituals and worship. I’m sorry that I often take the easy way out. I worship you with rituals, sacraments and rote prayers, believing that this is enough. I’m scared and stretched that You demand an integrity of life and worship. Unless we practice Kingdom values, You do not want us eating like hypocrites at the Kingdom banquet. It is disturbing how demanding You are! But You did not promise peace unless we work for justice. You will not sit comfortably with us at the table unless we treat with dignity and include the fragile, forsaken, and forgotten. Help us to take You seriously, Holy God of Justice, and to work for Your Kingdom, despite what other people think!