Opening Prayer
God of Wonders, God of Peace, the early followers of Jesus struggled with the tension of being faithful to the ancient practices and yet also moving with the powerful freedom and newness you have instilled in us in Christ. Our Church struggles today with the forces of reaction and movement of freedom. Teach us to be faithful to the Spirit of Jesus coming among us, and not to lay unnecessary burdens on others in Your name. Make us more sensitive to Your powerful and intimate presence. Inspire us to believe that we live in the Temple of Your Presence and the world of our experience is Your holy place. Thank you for making Your dwelling within and among us. I am awed at Your choice to be and live so close and intimate with us. May the Spirit of Jesus which continues to come, bring us a new peace and harmony about all the dividing and disturbing tensions of our lives. This day, in 1883, young St. Therese was healed by Our Lady of the Smile. May you smile on us and help us to smile amid the tensions, dyings and risings that are your paschal mystery happening within us. Heal the hurts of your Body, your growing vine.
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