Lacy Sietsema

One cannot be good simply by avoiding evil. To be indifferent or apathetic to the needs of one’s neighbor, to stand aloof from a world begging for help, is already to be guilty. Robert O. Johann

Creator God, you raise Jesus to new life and promise we who believe in him life with you forever. Help us become bringers of new life to places of death and destruction in our world. Amen.

Because a woman brought deatha bright Maiden overcame it,and so the highest blessingin all of creationlies in the form of a woman,since God has become manin a sweet and blessed Virgin Hildegard of Bingen, “Quia ergo femina”

Grant me to recognize in others, Lord God, the radiance of your own face. Teilhard de Chardin, SJ

Yahweh says to Moses, Bless the Israelites. Say to them: The Holy One, Adonai, bless and keep you! God’s face shine upon you with graciousness! The Holy One, Adonai, look upon you kindly and give you peace!

Where I wander – You! Where I ponder – You! Only You everywhere, You, always, You. You, You, You. When I am gladdened – You! And when I am saddened – You! Only You, everywhere You! You, You, You. Sky is You! Earth is You! You above! You below! In every trend, at every end,

Teach us, good Lord, to serve you as you deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labour and not to ask for any reward, save that of knowing that we do your will. Amen. St. Ignatius

Lord, today you make us known to friends we did not know, And you have given us seats in homes which are not our own, You have brought us near, And made a brother of a stranger, Forgive us, Lord… We did not introduce you.

If you want to see the brave,look for those who can forgive.If you want to see the heroic,look for those who can lovein return for hatred. from the Hindu Bhagavad Gita, sacred scripture

Hatreds do not ever cease in this world by hating but by love. This is an eternal truth. Overcome anger by love, overcome evil by good. Overcome the miser by giving, overcome the liar by truth. Buddha (Dhammapada 1.5, 17.3, 149-150)