Opening Prayer
Holy God, in You justice and mercy are balanced in such a mysterious way. Help us to be faithful to You in such a way that people will know that You are the life-giving God by the freedom, fulfillment and joy which comes from following Your law of love, justice and forgiveness. Save us from rigid conformity which hardens the heart. May our following of Your law carefully attend to the promptings of Your flexible, compassionate heart. Help us not to get lost in the details. Free us to live from the expansive and inclusive heart of Jesus. Help us to free and not confine nor oppress others. Teach us that obedience to Your Spirit and law creates the dignity and justice of Your reign. Great and Merciful Judge, balance obedient fidelity and flexible freedom in our hearts.
St. Therese, this is the day, in 1994, when your parents were declared holy and “Venerable” by the Church, worthy to be investigated for official sainthood. Help us today to reverence the parents God chose for us – the way our Moms and Dads loved us and gave themselves for us. In a world that gets caught in what might have been and focuses on the dysfunctional voids and blames others, teach us to reverence our parents with gratitude that they did the best they knew how. Teach us that valuable and freeing lesson, Therese: how truly venerable our parents are and were!
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