O Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of the Father; Who took on our Human nature to restore its sanctity; Do the same Lord, enlighten Thy people here present and throughout the world, with the knowledge that all life is a sacred gift from Thee, from the instant of conception, to the natural last breath. Dispel from our minds the subjective concept of quality of life and implant the objective truth of its preciousness.
When we consider abortion, remind us that Thou wast conceived and grew in Thy mother’s womb.
When we consider euthanasia or assisted suicide, call to our mind the leper, the paralytic, and Thy friend Lazarus, and how Thy great mercy and might were revealed through their suffering.
When we consider the elderly, call to our mind Simeon and Anna the Prophetess who proclaimed Thee to the world before the Forerunner; and Thy grandparents Joachim and Anna, who bore and reared Thy most pure mother, and instill in us the example of Ruth in her care of and humble service to her widowed mother-in-law Naomi.
When we consider criminals to be executed, call to our mind not only the Wise Thief, but also that Thou wast executed even though Thou wast beyond innocence.
When confronted with the possibility of suicide, remind us of Judas, who by his hopeless and desperate act, forfeited the forgiveness given a repentant Peter, even after he had denied Thy accusers three times.
As at the tower of Babel, and in the wilderness of Sinai, have we Thy people lost sight of Thy Truth, but restore us in Thy mercy O Lord. Make us instruments of Thy Will, that by Thy loving example, we may lead our misguided brethren to Thee, unworthy as we are.
Dispel also from us, self-righteousness and narrowmindedness like that of the Pharisees who challenged Thy good works; as well as over zealousness and the urge to commit rash acts like Peter, who in attempting to preserve Thy life, endangered that of the chief priest’s servant.
For Thou didst save us, not by summoning twelve legions of angels, but by healing the ear of the chief priest’s servant and teaching and adjuring the people in love, even from the Cross.
Grant this, we entreat Thee, O Thee who lovest mankind, for Thou alone art the Creator and Master of all, and to Thee do we ascribe glory, together with Thine unoriginated Father and Thy All-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. AMEN.
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