Gabe Huck, September 2001.
Lord and lover of mankind,
teach us to groan as you must groan,
sudden mourners, all of us.
Cry with us,
instruct us in the language of lamentation.
For wars we thought were far away
have snatched lives so near,
anonymous as our own, dear as our own.
And what shall we do, Lord,
with all our might?
What are we to do,
we who came to Jesus in Baptism,
and are people of this nation?
In the horror of so much death,
tear open with us the Gospel’s hard truth:
Is this the hour to trample down violence,
to deny death any more lives,
to refuse the false safety of walls and weapons,
to beg of you, good Lord,
the hardest courage and so look anew
at all that is amiss in our world?
Around the table of our assembly
we give you praise
even in the midst of our lamentation
and we hunger and greatly thirst
for the Body broken for all,
the Blood poured out
for the life of the world,
Jesus, who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.
Almighty God and Loving Father,
welcome into your loving embrace
those who were killed on September 11.
Grant them eternal peace and light.
Comfort and give strength
to those who have lost loved ones.
Be with those who still suffer pain.
Grant patience and wisdom
to those who govern.
Create in us a pure heart
so that we may bear witness to your presence
in the face of our enemy.
In the midst of pain and suffering,
let your Spirit show us the way
to justice and forgiveness.
Remind us to love our enemy
and to do good to those who harm us.
Protect us, keep us safe,
especially from the weapons of hatred,
Grant us a willingness to forgive
and hearts of tranquility and peace.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
- Adapted from a prayer
by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles
O God of mercy and forgiveness,
we stand before you in pain,
in fear, and in grief.
We know you desire good for your people,
which is why we are stunned
when we are faced with terrorist attacks.
We cry out to you with the world that we share
with one another and ask: Why?
In our fear and doubt,
we still turn to you, O God,
and bid your presence.
Welcome those who were killed on September
eleventh into your loving embrace.
Give them eternal peace.
Comfort the families
of those who lost loved ones.
Give them strength.
Be with those who have suffered pain. Heal them.
Guide the rescue workers, police, and firefighters.
Be their strength.
Lead our country through this grief. Comfort us.
Bring justice to those responsible for terror.
And Almighty God,
we pray that you do not abandon your people in
their time of need. Amen.
-- Jerry Galipeau (adp. Thiron
