Inspire adversaries to shake hands and taste mutual forgiveness

Merciful Father,

you make your sun rise on both good and

bad alike.

Do not abandon the work of your hands,

for which you did not hesitate

to deliver your only Son,

born of the Virgin

and crucified under Pontius Pilate.

He died and was buried in the heart of the earth.

He was raised from the dead on the third day,

and appeared to Mary Magdalene,

to Peter and to the other apostles and

disciples.

He lives forever in holy Church,

his living Body in the world.

Keep alight in our families

the lamp of the Gospel,

which illumines our joys and sorrows, our struggles and our hopes:

May every home reflect the face of the Church,

whose supreme law is love.

By the outpouring of your Spirit,

help us to cast aside the old man,

corrupted by illusory passions.

Clothe us in the new man,

created in justice and holiness.

Take us by the hand, like a Father, lest we stray from you.

Turn our rebellious hearts to your own heart,

so that we may learn to pursue plans of peace.

Inspire adversaries to shake hands,

and taste mutual forgiveness.

Disarm the hand of brother raised against

brother,

so that where there is hatred, concord may

flourish.

Grant that we never act as enemies of

the cross of Christ,

so that we may share in the glory of

his resurrection.

He lives and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

forever and ever.

Amen.