Oración de apertura

God of justice, in your wisdom you create all people in your image, without exception. Through your goodness, open our eyes to see the dignity, beauty, and worth of every human being. Open our minds to understand that all your children are brothers and sisters in the same human family. Open our hearts to repent of racist attitudes, behaviors, and speech that demean others. Open our ears to hear the cries of those wounded by racial discrimination and their passionate appeals for change. Strengthen our resolve to make amends for past injustices and to right the wrongs of history. And fill us with courage that we might seek to heal wounds, build bridges, forgive and be forgiven, and establish peace and equality for all in our communities. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Salmo responsorial

Salmo 130: 1-8

R. Te invocamos, Señor, desde lo más profundo de la tierra.

Desde las profundidades te invoco, Yahveh; ¡Señor, escucha mi clamor! Que tus oídos estén atentos a mi clamor de misericordia. R.

Si tú, Yahveh, llevas la cuenta de los pecados, Señor, ¿quién podrá resistir? Pero contigo está el perdón y por eso eres venerado. R.

Yo espero a Yahveh, mi alma aguarda y espero su palabra. R.

Mi alma espera al Señor más que centinelas la aurora. Más que centinelas para el alba, espere Israel en Yahveh, R.

Porque con Yahveh hay misericordia, con él hay abundante redención, y él redimirá a Israel de todos sus pecados. R.

Lectura de las Escrituras

Isaiah 32:15-18

In those days: The spirit from on high Will be poured out on us. Then will the desert become an orchard And the orchard regarded as a forest. Right will dwell in the desert And justice abide in the orchard. Justice will bring about peace; Right will produce calm and security. My people will live in a peaceful country, In secure dwellings and quiet resting places.

Reflexión

Aquí puede tener lugar una reflexión individual o en grupo sobre las lecturas de las Escrituras o los temas de la sanación racial y la reconciliación.

Peticiones

In hope that the arc of history bends toward justice, we lift up our prayers for racial healing, saying: 

R. Bind us together, O God of love.

For the Church, that its prophetic voice may proclaim to all the challenge to break the hopeless cycles of poverty, ignorance, prejudice, and despair which degrade the sacred dignity of humankind, we pray: R.

For our country, that we might celebrate our racial diversity and the distinctive and rich contributions of every fiber of our cultural fabric, we pray: R.

For wise and decisive action on the part of local and national leaders, that the scandal of racism may be eradicated from our society, we pray: R.

For an end to the subtle racism of economic oppression which permeates our society’s structures and resides in many hearts, we pray: R.

For our faith communities, that they may not succumb to indifference or accept the status quo, but press on for fundamental change, we pray: R.

For the victims of racial discrimination, that they may be filled with hope for a more just future, healing from wounds received, courage to advocate for change and for peace, and the grace to overcome hatred with love, we pray: R.

For those who work for racial justice, that they may be sustained in hope, empowered with courage, and filled with the grace to persevere in love, we pray: R.

Other intercessions may be offered here.

Our Father…

Oración final

Jesús, hermano nuestro, Tú revelaste a Dios a través de tus sabias palabras y tus obras de amor, y aún hoy te encontramos en los rostros de aquellos a quienes la sociedad ha marginado. Guíanos, por el amor que revelaste, a establecer la justicia que proclamaste, para que todos los hombres vivan en armonía y paz, unidos por ese único amor que nos une a los demás y a ti. Amén.

Signo de paz

Todos los presentes pueden compartir un signo de paz apropiado.