Opening Prayer
Holy God of History, You live in the heavens and dwell in the hearts of the dejected. You have a special affection for the fragile, forsaken, and forgotten. You desire peace, defined by justice, so that all your children may enjoy their dignity as Your daughters and sons. Bless this noble land of promise. Help us to be faithful to the ancient covenant dream that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is the inalienable right of all Your children. Empower us not to get lost in our prosperity and materialism, and develop a false sense of peace based on injustice, inequality and isolation. As You reconciled us in Christ, make us and our nation again pioneers of Your Spirit – instruments of Your inclusive and uplifting peace. Dwell among us with power, giving us welcoming and generous hearts. Teach us again that our greatness is measured in Your eyes, by the way we treat the weakest – the most fragile, forsaken, and forgotten.
View Scripture on USCCB Website