The Power of Hope

Lord, in this world women and men are dying,

because they have no hope.

Lord, in this world, hands are weary,

knees buckle, hearts suffer.

Jesus, you cried out to your Father: hear the cries of those who have been abandoned.

You who came out of the tomb alive, open your garden of life to death’s captives.

Christ in agony to the end of the world,

remember those members of your body who suffer.

Remember the man who has been let down by his own family and friends,

Remember the woman who has been abandoned and dreads the night,

Remember the innocent man arrested like a criminal,

Remember the defendant unjustly condemned,

Remember the prisoner, who is beaten and humiliated.

Remember the just man led to his death.

For those oppressed by grief, remember,

Lord, your own agony.

For those who suffer in the flesh,

Remember, Lord; the torture you endured.

For those who despair of life,

Remember, Lord, your cry to the Father.

We ask you for your strength

for those women and men who can take no more,

a road of peace for the vast army

of refugees, of immigrants, of disappeared persons,

for the men and women who are persecuted, imprisoned and tortured.

And the warmth of your love for those who been abandoned.

We give you thanks for those women and men who fearless in the face of death,

give witness to their faith and pursue the fight for justice.

You who were judged, condemned and tortured to death,

we bring before you now the suffering of men and women.

Have mercy on them all! Give them hope!

And for those who hope against all hope

Let your Resurrection shine forth!

Extract from “Hope in the Darkest Night” FIACAT