Blessed be God’s great name to all eternity. Blessed, praised, honoured, exalted, extolled, glorified and adored be the name of the Holy Blessed One. Blessed be God beyond all earthly words and songs of blessing, praise, and comfort. Amen.

Faithful God, open the eyes of our hearts to recognise your presence in the seemingly hopeless circumstances of life. Help us not to give up hope in the treasures of love, integrity and justice even when the news is dismal; when our institutions seem powerless against the forces of indifference and destruction; when people seem incapable of doing or even imagining goodness. Deep in the darkness of the soil, O Lord, you are feeding the shoots of a new community of hope. Amongst unseen communities, you are inspiring men, women and children to dream of, and make real, a new world that is courageous, gentle and just. Help us to value your way of being that brings true richness to life – the way of Jesus Christ.