Ten years ago today, Lord,
Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio became
the Bishop of Rome,
your Vicar on earth;
Successor of Peter, first among equals;
Pontifex Maximus, builder of bridges
and the Servus Servorum Dei
– the Servant of the Servants of God…
He has summoned us to go forth and reach out
to those who live on the margins of society…
He has encouraged us to ¡Hagan lío!
– to make some noise in the Church, in the world…
He has described the Church as a field hospital
where we heal the wounds and warm the hearts
of God’s people in their suffering…
He has called us to conserve the natural environment
and care for all who share the earth, our common home…
He reminds us to respect and reverence life
in all its shapes and forms
– and not to judge neighbor…
He has told us that the name of God is mercy,
that God’s mercy is infinitely greater than our sins…
By example he has called us to live simply:
to let go of pomp and privilege
and serve each other’s needs…
He has taught us that
time is greater than space,
realities are greater than ideas,
unity prevails over conflict,
and the whole is greater than the part…
In all of this, Lord,
he preaches your word and calls us
to live by your word and your wisdom;
to serve one another as you serve us;
to share with all the joy of your love
and to bring a word of hope to the church
to our homelands and to all the world…
For this man of faith and hope and love
we give you thanks and praise
and as Francis is faithful to you, O Lord,
make us faithful in hearing and living your word…
Protect us, Lord, while we’re awake
and watch over us while we sleep
that awake, we might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Tonight’s song is below this photo…
near Rome, Pope Francis washed and kissed the feet of Muslim,
Orthodox, Hindu and Catholic men and women, declaring them all
children of the same God.
Will you let me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.
We are
pilgrims on the journey
We are travelers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
pilgrims on the journey
We are travelers on the road
We are here to help each other
Walk the mile and bear the load.
I will hold
the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.
the Christ-light for you
In the nighttime of your fear
I will hold my hand out to you
Speak the peace you long to hear.
I will weep
when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
when you are weeping
When you laugh, I’ll laugh with you
I will share your joy and sorrow
Till we’ve seen this journey through.
When we sing
to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born to all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
to God in heaven
We shall find such harmony
Born to all we’ve known together
Of Christ’s love and agony.
Will you let
me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.
me be your servant
Let me be as Christ to you?
Pray that I might have the grace
To let you be my servant too.
