Under The Fig Tree Too

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" — Mary Oliver

R/Let your favour be upon us, O Lord.

O God, we are the work of your hands:

– shape us in the image of Christ our Lord. R/

O God, we are but a moment in the world’s history:

– teach us to store up treasure in heaven by the good we do on earth. R/

O God, we fear the mortality we cannot cure:

– grant insight and faith to all those who conduct medical research. R/

O God, we are saddened by the death of those we love:

I have seen the way he went. But I will heal him, and console him, I will comfort him to the full, both him and his afflicted fellows, bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to far and near, I will indeed heal him—says the Lord.

I will heal their disloyalty,

Release us from the desire for power and prestige, we pray.

Free us from all disdain for works of service, we pray.

Deliver us from the lure of self-sufficiency, we pray.

It is all too common to suffer without relief.

Maybe you’ve waited years to find a suitable spouse or conceive a child or land a good job.

Maybe you’re bereaved after losing a loved one, or because you were neglected, abandoned or abused.

Maybe you’re enduring a loveless marriage.

Maybe you have a chronic illness.

You who live in a world of confusion, violence, betrayal—you who are fallen, misshapen, unclean, where do you go with your waning hope?

Jesus passes by at a time we least expect.

Do you dare to utter a prayer?

Are you worth enough to yourself to extend your heart and hands in the direction of repair?

Have courage!

Touch the tassel of his cloak.

Ignite his wish to make you whole.