01/27/2026
Jerry Keeney’s prayer from Sunday:
“Sacred Shepherd,
You have graciously called us together to live with you and with each other in your covenant of Love, Justice, and Grace. We thank you for this privilege, and for the freedom and responsibility that attend this rich and demanding life together.
You have been preparing us to meet our troubled time with your wisdom. We have commiserated and wished for a different time. We have looked at those who have gone before us and wondered why in such times they didn’t do better than they did. Now we know.
Rescue us from the temptation to squander in commiseration our opportunities for serving your love, your truth, your justice, and standing with those who bear the brunt of seemingly unmanageable systemic violence.
Forgive our weakness and strengthen our imagination that we may create better ways of bearing your Light faithfully and effectively into the terrible confusions that are threatening the world’s wellbeing.
We have heard here today of particular needs and joys, both in audible voice and in silent recollection of our hearts… Find a way, we pray, to pe*****te disappointment, depression, distrust, distractions, anything that would block your healing grace from getting in.
Bolster our will to live boldly as clear witnesses to your generous loving and just care for all, even those who think they are serving you by abusing others.
I pray personally and especially for those agents of governance who are unleashed into the world by careless and self-serving power. Bring us all to our senses, lead us all on to wholeness that we may serve your way of safety and security through your Love’s just order.
Please tend, also, to the victims of violence – officially authorized and unauthorized – among families and communities. Help them find the courage and grace to survive brutal theatrics so that together we may all work to heal this land and this world and implement your covenant of new creation.
As co-creators with you, we open our hearts to your gifts of mutual forgiveness and peace.
Now, concluding with meditative words from my former theology professor at Aquinas Institute of Theology, Sister/Dr. Carla Mae Streeter, O.P. (Order of Preachers):
‘You’re here…!
Not with a suitcase to stay a while and go, but for keeps.
You’ve decided to stay and see us through this life-journey.
Your Light would blind us, so… You veil Yourself in faith to keep us safe from your very beauty.
Give me just as much of Yourself as I can bear before I run off like a frightened sheep.
Tuck me in your arm against your heart so I can feel your heartbeat in the dark,
Sweet ever-present Light… Amen’”
