This was the start of my sermon, but the NZ massacre changed it. But this was my opening prayer...
Jesus, as a mother you gather your people to you: You are gentle with us as a mother with her children; Often you weep over our sins and our pride: tenderly you draw us from hatred and judgement. You comfort us in sorrow and bind up our wounds: in sickness you nurse us, and with pure milk you feed us. Jesus, by your dying we are born to new life: By your anguish and labor we come forth in joy. Despair turns to hope through your sweet goodness: through your gentleness we find comfort in fear. Your warmth gives life to the dead: your touch makes sinners righteous. Lord Jesus, in your mercy heal us: in your love and tenderness remake us. In your compassion bring grace and forgiveness: for the beauty of heaven may your love prepare us. For from you flows consolation for sinners; to you the blessing for ages and ages. Amen. ~ written by St. Anselm (1033-1109)
St. Anselm was Archbishop of Canterbury from 1093 to 1109. This prayer written before his time as Bishop, connects to our reading from the Gospel of Luke today.
Another link:
Anselm's Prayer to St Paul: Our Greatest Mother
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