“The Brokenhearted” Painting: Ronald Raab, CSC

When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. (Psalm 34)

Jesus, lift up people who carry their unfortunate burdens.

Listen to our children who cry out alone on our streets.

Listen to our aged and ill family members curled up in dirty beds in nursing homes.

Listen to our hungry families searching for the basics of life

Receive the women battered in their homes in which they are frightened to leave.

Receive our children recently diagnosed with cancer.

Receive our clergy suffering now from Alzheimer’s disease unable to pray.

Hold our restless bodies and our searching hearts.

Hold our jobless fathers and our overworked mothers.

Hold those who will die this day.

Console the brokenhearted and offer us your mercy and peace.

Amen