|
We bless you and we praise you,
God of our mothers!
You are the God of Eve, mother of all the living.
You are the God of Sarah,
who laughed at childbearing in old age.
You are the God of Rebekah,
who favored her second-born, Jacob.
You are the God of Leah, mother of tribes,
and of Rachel, who mourned and
wrestled and won.
You are the God of Hannah,
who strongly sang your praise for Samuel,
and of Naomi, who faithfully walked with Ruth.
You are the God of Elizabeth, who bore the Baptist,
and of Ann, the grandmother of Jesus.
You are the God of Mary,
Spirit’s spouse and mother of our Savior,
given by Christ on the cross to be
the mother of us all.
We thank you, God, for the gift of our mothers,
for grandmothers and godmothers
and mothers-in-law, too.
Send your Holy Spirit upon our mothers,
at whose breasts we were fed,
by whose hands we were cleaned and clothed,
and at times corrected.
in whose laps we learned to sing and speak
and play and pray,
at whose side we hear your word
and celebrate your mysteries.
Heal their pains and disappointments.
Forgive all that needs to be forgiven.
Give to them the good that they have given others.
Welcome to your bosom those who have died.
Fill this world, O God, with a mother’s love!
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ,
who gathers us together
as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
God forever and ever. Amen.
| 
