God of compassion, you await the sinner’s return and spread a feast to welcome home the lost. Save us from the temptations that lead us away from you, and draw us back by the constancy of your love, that we may take our place in your household and gladly share our inheritance with others.

KIERAN J. O’MAHONY OSA
IN SPEAKING FROM WITHIN: BIBLICAL APPROACHES FOR EFFECTIVE PREACHING (VERITAS, 2016)

As the hand is made for holding and the eye for seeing, thou hast fashioned me for joy. Share with me the vision that shall find it everywhere: in the wild violet’s beauty; in the lark’s melody; in the face of a steadfast man; in a child’s smile; in a mother’s love; in the purity of Jesus.