SSA Christian

Hope

  • A Blessing for Beauty

    by John O’Donohue

    May the beauty of your life become more visible to you,
    that you may glimpse your wild divinity.

    May the wonders of the earth call you forth
    from all your small, secret prisons
    and set your feet free in the pastures of possibilities.

    May the light of dawn anoint your eyes
    that you may behold what a miracle a day is.

    May the liturgy of twilight shelter all your fears
    and darkness within the circle of ease.

    May the angel of memory surprise you in bleak times
    with new gifts from the harvest of your vanished days.

    May you allow no dark hand to quench
    the candle of hope in your heart.

    May you discover a new generosity towards yourself,
    and encourage yourself to engage your life as a great adventure.

    May the outside voices of fear and despair
    find no echo in you.

    And may you know that despite confusion, anxiety and emptiness, your name is written in Heaven.

    And may you come to see your life as a quiet sacrament of service, which awakens around you a rhythm where doubt gives way to the grace of wonder, where what is awkward and strained can find elegance, and where crippled hope can find wings, and torment enter at last unto the grace of serenity.

    May Divine Beauty bless you.

  • Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse

    God of endless love,
    ever caring, ever strong,
    always present, always just:
    You gave your only Son
    to save us by the blood of his cross.

    Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace,
    join to your own suffering
    the pain of all who have been hurt
    in body, mind, and spirit
    by those who betrayed the trust placed in them.

    Hear the cries of our brothers and sisters
    who have been gravely harmed,
    and the cries of those who love them.
    Soothe their restless hearts with hope,
    steady their shaken spirits with faith.
    Grant them justice for their cause,
    enlightened by your truth.

    Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts,
    heal your people’s wounds
    and transform brokenness into wholeness.
    Grant us the courage and wisdom,
    humility and grace, to act with justice.
    Breathe wisdom into our prayers and labors.
    Grant that all harmed by abuse may find peace in justice.
    We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

    From: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB’s)