(From "Be Not Afraid" by Bob Dufford, S.J.)

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God."

Dear God, we come to you filled with sorrow for our day of tragedy. We are hurt and numb, aching and silent. Be with us as we enter into the darkest of nights.

"Be not afraid. . ." (once)

My joy is gone, grief is upon me, my heart is sick.

Hark, the cry of my poor people from far and wide in the land: "Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King not in her?" ("Why have they provoked me to anger with their images, with their foreign idols?")

"The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." For the hurt of my poor people I am hurt, I mourn, and dismay has taken hold of me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of my poor people not been restored?

Dear God, we come to you humbled, knowing that the crop we reap is from the seeds we have sown. Violence begets violence. We repent for the part we have played in creating a world where violent means are so often the means of addressing disagreement, oppression, and injustice. We ask for guidance in crafting nonviolent solutions that reflect your unceasing love for all your people.

"Be not afraid. . ." (once)

"But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."

Dear God, we come to you knowing we need your help in loving. We are called to love all who suffer from these events, and we are called to love those who are responsible for this suffering. The symbolism of these attacks is not lost; we too have raised our voices against this nation's military and trade policies. However, we condemn all acts of violence as being not only counterproductive, but also contrary to the Kingdom of God, whose ends and means must be one. Help us through our sufferings to live out in love your Gospel message of peace.

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. Then he said to them, "I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me." And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want." Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, "So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again he went away for the second time and prayed, "My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done." Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said to them. "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? See, the hours is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand."

God, my God,
why have you abandoned me¾
far from my cry, my words of pain?
I call by day, you do not answer;
I call by night, but find no rest.

You are the Holy One enthroned,
the Praise of Israel.
Our people trusted, they trusted you;
you rescued them.
To you they trusted, and they were saved;
they trusted and were not shamed.

But you, God, took me from the womb,
you kept me safe at my mother's breast.
I belonged to you from the time of birth,
You are my God from my mother's womb.

Do not stay far off,
danger is so close.
I have no other help.

I am poured out like water,
my bones are pulled apart,

my heart is wax melting within me,
my throat baked and dry,
my tongue stuck to my jaws.
You bring me down to the dust of death.

Lord, do not stay far off,
you, my strength, be quick to help.

Save my neck from the sword,
save my life from the dog's teeth,
save me from the lion's jaws,
save me from the bull's horns.

You hear me.

I will sing to you in the great assembly,
make good my promise before your faithful.
The poor shall eat all they want.

Seekers of God shall give praise.
"May your hearts live for ever!"

All peoples shall remember and turn,
all races will bow to the lord,
who holds dominion over nations.

Prepared by Mike Sersch and Eileen Hanson of the Winona Catholic Worker