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Joseph McAuleySeptember 01, 2015
Father of All Creation,
It is with hope that we pray
For what You have created:
The Earth and everything within it.
 
Above all, we praise You
For the greatest work of Your hands:
Us, your children.
 
For nothing can equal it:
Neither the sun, the moon or the stars of the heavens.
All is a wonder to behold,
But we fail to honor Your beneficence
When we misuse what You have given us.
 
Have mercy on us,
For we know not what we do.
Help us to mean it when we exclaim:
"Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation."
 
Help us to realize that it is "through your goodness"
We are given everything and that they ought to be treasured and valued
And that we would have no gifts to offer when we abuse that
"Which earth has given and human hands have made."
 
Renew in us, Lord, that sense—and our senses—of the sacred,
So that we may offer you "with contrite and humble hearts"
The Creation You have given us.
And that we may, like You did in the Beginning,
Look around and find all of it good.
Amen.
 
 
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