Lord our God,
when your Word frightens us because it demands everything of us,
grant that it may also be the strength that sets us free from ourselves
and enables us to do more than we ever dared to imagine.
Grant that, moment by moment, we may grow towards true freedom,
for which Christ has shown the way,
He who goes before us as our universal brother,
drawing us through his Easter towards the Life that has no end.
Lord our God, who came into this world to share with us the fullness of your life,
open our hearts to receive the signs you offer us.
You offer us the sign of weakness: a newborn baby lying in a manger.
Open our hearts to this presence of fragility.
You offer us the sign of humility, by washing the feet of your friends.
Open our hearts to service.
You offer us the sign of bread.
Open our hearts to sharing.
You offer us the sign of the cross, a crucified God who dies outside the city between two criminals.
Open our hearts to your friendship with all.
You offer us the sign of fraternal community,
open our hearts to gathering together without exclusion.
Living God,
we believe in the life that leads to eternal life,
but help our lack of faith.
May your Word, in the Scriptures, in others, and in your many signs,
illuminate our paths, which are still so dark…
until the day begins to dawn
and the Morning Star rises in every heart.
We pray this through Him, your Son, Jesus Christ,
who lives with you in the communion of the Spirit.
for ever and ever.
