Here it is the 3rd Sunday of Advent! God has blessed me in so many ways. Yesterday another birthday came and went. In gratitude, I thank God for my health, family, friends and the opportunity to live another day in His love. Today, I am still praying for peace on this HIS earth. So this I offer to you as it was offered to me and the members of St. John the Baptist Church of Newburgh.
LITANY OF NON-VIOLENCE
Provident God, aware of my own brokenness,
I ask the gift of courage to identify how and where
I am in need of conversion in order to live in
solidarity with all Earth's people.
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Deliver me from the violence of superiority and disdain..
Grant me the desire, and the humility, to listen
with special care to those whose experiences
and attitudes are different from my own.
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Deliver me from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant me the desire, and the will, to live
simply so other may have their just share of the Earth's resources.
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Deliver me from the silence that gives consent
to abuse, war, and evil.
Grant me the desire, and courage, to risk speaking
and acting for the common good.
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Deliver me from the violence of irreverence,
exploitation and control.
Grant me the desire, and the strength, to act
responsibly within the cycle of creation..
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God of love, mercy and justice,
Acknowledging my complicity in those attitudes,
actions and words which perpetuate violence,
I beg the grace of a non-violent heart.
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Amen
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Sisters of Providence
St. Mary-of-the-Woods,
Terre Haute, Indiana
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Because of His abundance of graces given
to me at all time, I say, "Thanks be to God!"