Psalm 85
1You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, *
you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2You have forgiven the iniquity of your people *
and blotted out all their sins.
3You have withdrawn all your fury *
and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4Restore us then, O God our Savior; *
let your anger depart from us.
5Will you be displeased with us for ever? *
will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6Will you not give us life again, *
that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, *
and grant us your salvation.
8I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, *
for he is speaking peace to his faithful people
and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, *
that his glory may dwell in our land.
10Mercy and truth have met together; *
righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11Truth shall spring up from the earth, *
and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, *
and our land will yield its increase.
13Righteousness shall go before him, *
and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
A Prayer Attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
