This Sunday we celebrate the great solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. We focus especially on this day on our devotion to the Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith, a faith united and rooted in community.
However, this sense of communal unity is not reflected in our nation at the present time. As we have seen from the recent tragic events in Minneapolis, and the resulting violence and civil unrest throughout our nation in recent weeks, there is still much work that needs to be done to bring unity, peace and healing to our nation. We continue to be wounded and divided in many ways. In a recent address, Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, called for healing and stated, “Today more than ever, we need a spirit of peacemaking and searching for nonviolent solutions to our problems.” He also stated, “When God looks at us he sees beyond the color of our skin, or the countries where we came from, or the language that we speak. God sees only his children – beloved sons and daughters.” We are challenged to take these words to heart.
The need for healing is reflected in the following prayer. The substance of this prayer has been composed by Texas Pastor Max Tyner, who addressed the pain and conflict which existed in our nation at a prior time. It has been adapted and slightly modified to more closely reflect the recent tragic events in our nation.
A Prayer for National Healing
Gracious and Loving God, we come as your children with sorrow in our hearts, and lives which are confused and disturbed. Recent weeks have brought death, anguish and distress to so many people.
We pray, O Lord, that You will heal this nation. Give peace and comfort to those who are in sorrow. Give healing and strength to those who have suffered injury and hurt at this time. Be with those who are working under such difficult circumstances. Give wisdom and guidance to the president of this nation and be with the political leaders as they make grave decisions necessary at this time.
We ask, Lord, that you heal us, as a people, that we may join hands and work together for the good of all. Grant us the wisdom and faith to see that only in You are true love and joy ever found.
Where we have wandered from Your will, put us back on the path You would have us follow. Where we have bitterness and hate, give us love and consideration for others and from the ashes of hate and destruction, may we rise up as a nation committed to Your teachings and Your will and a light to the world. This we ask in the name of Your son Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.