Friday is the feast of the 16th century Carmelite mystic,/ St. Teresa of Avila,/ who said, "If Christ Jesus dwells in a person as friend and noble leader, that person can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend."/ May we know the friendship of Jesus./ We pray to the Lord.
Before the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Quaker leader Gretchen Castle said,/ "The poorest who have done the least to cause the climate crisis are the hardest hit. This is the time to address our over consumption and wasteful habits, and to learn to live in a collective, socially supportive world community, respectful of all life and to heed Jesus' call to "go and sin no more."/ May we understand and act./ We pray to the Lord.
Oil spills happen all the time and all around the world./ This week another oil disaster on the California coast is causing great destruction,/ the killing of birds and marine animals,/ the ruin of beaches and wetlands./ May the Holy Spirit renew the face of the earth by our learning to care and change./ We pray to the Lord.
In France a devastating report has disclosed the sex abuse of hundreds of thousands of children by thousands of priests and church workers over the last seventy years and the law of silence that has concealed it./ One nun speaks of it as crimes against humanity./ The pope calls it a moment of shame./ May God restore those who have been violated and betrayed./ We pray to the Lord.
For the nations of the world and their leaders./ For those who fight against evil./ For those who are not helping by their obstruction,/ game-playing,/ greed,/ anger or abandonment of their servant role./ We pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who live or work in dangerous situations and places./ For those who come to the rescue or help of those in trouble or danger./ For those who live in fear,/ addiction or discouragement./ For the sick and those who grieve losses./ We pray to the Lord.
