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Meeting ID: 815 0755 1772
To connect by phone dial: +1 646 558 8656
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, source of our life, we acknowledge you as Creator of all people of every race, language, and way of life. Help us to see each other as you see us: your daughters and sons loved into being and sustained by your loving care. Keep watch over our hearts so that the evil of racism will find no home with us. Direct our spirits to work for justice and peace so that all barriers to your grace which oppress our brothers and sisters will be removed. We pray this in your Holy Name. Amen.
Reading
First, understand the difference between being uncomfortable and being threatened. There is no way to tell the truth about race in this country without white people becoming uncomfortable. Because the plain truth is that if it were up to people of color, racism would have been resolved, over and done, a long time ago. The only reason for racism's persistence is that white people continue to benefit from it.
Repeat that last sentence. Make it your mantra. Because until the country accepts that truth, we will never move beyond superficial words and ineffective half-measures.
Excerpt from Bryan N. Massingale, The Assumptions of White Privilege….
Silent Reflection
Petitions
To the Creator of all races and peoples, who loves each of us for our uniqueness, we offer our prayers of petition:
For an end to discrimination in all its forms, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That each person may be respected and valued as a child of God, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That the Church may be a witness and a universal sign of unity among all peoples, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That each of us may acknowledge our part in mistakes and sins of the past pertaining to discrimination and racism, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
For a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation among peoples who share a history of mutual mistrust, hatred or aggression, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That the victims of racial prejudice may forgive those who persecute them, and that their persecutors may have a change of heart, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
For those who have struggled in the past and continue to do so today for civil rights, economic justice and the elimination of discrimination based on race, nationality or religion, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
For the conversion of the hearts and minds of those who allow another's race to influence their relationships and limit their openness, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That we may work to influence the attitudes of others by expressly rejecting racial or ethnic stereotypes, slurs and jokes and be affirming of the cultural contributions of every racial, ethnic and religious group in our world, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That we may make a personal commitment to abolish social structures which inhibit economic, educational and social advancement of the poor, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
That we may work for decent working conditions, adequate income, housing, education and health care for all people, we pray ... Bind us together, God of Love.
Written by Augustinians of the Midwest
Closing Prayer:
Holy One, evidence of your self-communication in love is all around, everywhere. In the inner depths of my own heart, in the world, in all creatures around me, you live and move and have your being. I am not separate from you and because of your wondrous love I am not separate from all creation. Help me to live with eyes wide open to your self-communication. Help me to be open to your lavish grace, to receive it without fear and with the conviction that you want nothing more than for me to receive it. In turn, may I be gracious to others, an instrument of your lavish grace to all I meet. Amen
From Field of Compassion by Judy Cannato
Closing Song: Room At The Table, Carrie Newcomer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92OM5bdQ4N4
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