Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Fortnight for what?

Much ink has been spilled lately regarding the RC Church's Fortnight for Freedom.  But I think if we are really to talk about Religious Freedom, we must talk about it in a way that doesn't exempt us from society nor does it ignore the liberty of other religious bodies.  In other words, it isn't just about us, which the Fortnight for Freedom feels like.

It must be about all of us together...

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious Father, we pray for your Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen.

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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