Reconciliation

Embracing a Common Future

Edmund Rice Christian Brothers

North America

Thursday, 09 August 2007

DEEPENING THE SPIRITUALITY

OF THE HEART OF BEING BROTHER

Reconciliation and Peace

Placing Oneself in the Presence of God

Living God, the day begins at sixes and sevens, bits and pieces, one-thing-after-another. Wars and terrorist acts seem to be the order of the day. A day of transition occurs in Iraq and terrorists seek to stop people having freedom both there and in Afghanistan. Before we start this day, help us to contemplate your constant presence besides us. With your help let us be able to bring a few more pieces of this world and our brothers and sisters closer to you. Amen.

Opening Song Stay With Us

Stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, night will soon fall.

Then stay with us, O Lord Jesus Christ, light in our darkness

Examination of Conscience

Reading: Amos 5: 14-15, 21-24

Seek good and not evil – and live! You talk about GOD being your best friend. Well, live like it, and maybe it will happen.

Hate evil and love good, then work it out in the public square. Maybe GOD will notice your remnant and be gracious.

"I can't stand your religious meetings. I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me? Do you know what I want? I want justice--oceans of it. I want fairness--rivers of it. That's what I want. That's all I want.

Response: Psalm of the True Believer

O Holy One, you must weep
as you look from above
at our poor wounded world,
scarred and scourged,
bruised black and blue
by religious wars
waged against unbelievers
by the righteous faithful
of all Earth's religions.

The view from outer space
sees a battered planet,
Earth bruised and bloodied
by those with a "holy" license
to hate, despise and kill
anyone of another belief –
and who do so in your holy name.

Millenniums of holy wars
And wounds gorged red
And deeper than grand canyons
can never be removed
simply by words of mild regret
from lips that refuse to seek
true holy communion.

Only true believers can hope
to heal and to restore
the primal pristine unity
of the Body of the Holy One,
the vision, O Boundless God,
of your holy and earthen family
being truly brothers and sisters.

Help me to become a true believer,
to daily bow before you,
professing my four-word creed,
"I believe in God."
Empower me to do my best to keep
your one and only law,
your commandment to love.

Glory to you ...

Act of Sorrow:

LORD, I N._____________, the one you love is in need. Let me express in this prayer my utmost sorrow for any action or inaction of mine that may have caused hurt to a brother or sister. Together we join as one body in asking you to transform us once again, and bring us all to the fullness of your healing presence among us this morning. Amen.

Symbolic Gesture Kiss of Peace

Tell each one, "Be at peace, our God loves us and has saved us." (or something similar)

BLESSING OF RECONCILIATION

Loving God, at times I have recklessly thrown aside your love for me, and I have often wasted the wealth of talents which you gave me. I cry to you as the lost son to his generous father: "I have sinned against you. Receive me again into your house from which I have wandered." Amen!

PAUSE: SHARING AND PRAYER INTENTIONS

Closing Prayer

Prayer of St. Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred ... let me sow love
Where there is injury ... pardon
Where there is doubt ... faith
Where there is despair ... hope
Where there is darkness ...light
Where there is sadness ... joy
Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
Yo be consoled ... as to console
To be understood ... as to understand,
To be loved ... as to love
For it is in giving ... that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying ... that we are born to eternal life.