With Roman Catholic-Anglican relations currently so newsworthy, it is particularly appropriate to note that this Sunday and next week Roman Catholics and Episcopalians (Anglicans) again pray the same prayer. Catholics will pray:
Almighty and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope, and love.
May we do with loving hearts what you ask of us and come to share the life you promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anglicans will pray:
Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity;
and, that we may obtain what you promise,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Both are translations of:
Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, da nobis fidei, spei, et caritatis augmentum:
et ut mereamur assequi quod promittis, fac nos amare quod praecipis.
The reflection on this week’s collect/opening prayer is found here.
Not all Anglicans and not all Roman Catholics will be praying this prayer, certainly. But at this time I would encourage more to – and for others to join in.
Let us widen the circle that prays this prayer together this coming weekend and week.
Oh, BTW, Bosco, on Sunday, throw in a prayer for Yours Truly. I have been asked to do a “lay preaching” stint on Sunday. We are talking “without a net” here–I am perfectly comfortable teaching Pathology to medical students but this is a “whole ‘nother country” for me!
At least I have a good text–Blind Bartimaeus.