Prayers for November 1, 2001

All Saints Day

Invocation

We spend so much time winging it, Blessed Jesus, that we forget our focus. We misplace our flight plan. As the week begins, reshape us. Renew us. Focus us. Let us not only know You but become like You, now and soon. Let us apply for sainthood. Amen.

Prayer of Confession

What love requires of us is to follow Your small, marginalized insignificant way straight to the centers of life and power. Come, Lord Jesus and show us the way.

Whatever desire possesses us will make us as small as it unless aspiration leads and takes us over. Aspiration can make us as large as desire can make us small. You who messed up the scales: lead us! Saint by saint, step by step: let's go. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

Come With Nothing In Your Hand. (Refrain)

Come with nothing in Your hand to the place of quiet light and relax. Lay Your burdens down. Become unexpectedly light. Rise. Shine. Give God Your glory. (Repeat refrain)

Whereever midnight is clear, where ragged shepherds no longer burn their candles at both ends but instead stand still, in awe, where angels sing even though they missed choir practice. Where dark streets shine an everlasting light, where promises are not only made but kept. (Repeat refrain)

Become like Mary & give birth to God. Lighten up. Remember with gratitude Your children, Your parents, Your partners, Your best friends. Name them. Remember God. Here only gratitude is necessary. Nothing else. Nothing less. And nothing more.

To the place where peace is guaranteed in Bethlehem and beyond, where the homeless are at home. Where the hungry have bread, and ice cream. Where the ozone is safe and the fish straight-spined. (Repeat refrain)

Be barren no more. Generate light. Be still. Know that joy is in us, not in things. Fear not. Remember that freedom is what You do with what's been done to You. Here, be free. Do very small things exquisitely well. Be like the Christ child. (Repeat refrain)