BY: RON HAMEL, Ph.D.
CALL TO PRAYER
Leader
In the name of our God who shares divinity with us,
In the name of our God who shares humanity with us,
In the name of our God who guides and supports us in our work,
All
Let us give praise and thanks. Amen.
Leader
As we are called again this day to life and work, we offer praise and thanksgiving
to God for the gift of this day and the opportunities it brings.
READING
A day is precious because each day is essentially the microcosm of your whole
life. Each new day offers possibilities and promises that were never seen before.
To engage with honor the full possibility of your life is to engage in a worthy
way the possibility of your new day. Each day is different. In the Book of Revelation,
God said, "The world of the past is gone. . . . Behold I am making all creation
new." The new day deepens what has already happened and unfolds what is surprising,
unpredictable, and creative (John O'Donohue, Anam Cara, HarperCollins,
New York City, 1997, p. 129).
Response (Alternate sides or individuals)
May the light of your soul guide you.
May you see in what you do the beauty of your own soul.
May the sacredness of your work bring healing, light, and renewal to those who
work with you and to those who see and receive your work.
May your work never weary you.
May it release within you wellsprings of refreshment, inspiration, and excitement.
May you be present in what you do.
May you never become lost in the bland absences.
May the day never burden.
May dawn find you awake and alert, approaching your new day with dreams, possibilities,
and promises.
May evening find you gracious and fulfilled.
May you go into the night blessed, sheltered, and protected.
May your soul calm, console, and renew you.
("A Blessing," in O'Donohue, p. 160)
All
Gracious God, we thank you for bringing us to another day and to new opportunities
for serving you, one another, the Catholic health ministry, and the cause of
your kingdom. Open our hearts and our minds to the guidance of your Spirit so
that we will recognize and seize upon the possibilities that lie before us this
day and not squander the precious time and opportunities for good that are given
to us. May the work we do together be of benefit to all those we serve and may
it enliven and refresh our spirits and our commitment to the cause of your kingdom.
Amen.
Ron Hamel, PhD
Senior Director, Ethics
Catholic Health Association
Copyright © 2003 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3477.