Above:  Marie and Randolph the Teddy Bears, July 3, 2013

Image Taken Via My Computer Camera

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Love, O God,

was a state into which I doubted once that I might fall.

When it did begin to occur,

I needed over a year to understand what was happening to me.

This love has enabled me to aid my beloved

(with admittedly limited success sometimes) under difficult circumstances,

but it did empower me to that much

–which mattered at the time–

at least.

Love, by which I delight in her,

requires much of me and has hurt.

Yet it has persisted.

And it has made me a better man,

a rejuvenated person,

and a grateful individual.

Thank you.  Amen.

KENNETH RANDOLPH TAYLOR

AUGUST 4, 2013 COMMON ERA

PROPER 13–THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

THE FEAST OF J. ROBERT HARRIS, SOUTHERN BAPTIST WITNESS FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

THE FEAST OF SAINT JOHN BAPTIST VIANNEY, ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIEST

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http://blogatheologica.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/a-prayer-of-thanksgiving-for-love/

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Statue of Reconciliation, St. Michael’s Cathedral, Coventry, England, United Kingdom

Image Source = Rebecca Kennison

(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:UK_Coventry_Statue-of-Reconcilliation.jpg)

Website of the Cathedral:

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/

Prayer by Jetty van den Berghe, who has graciously granted me permission to reproduce it; She posted it in the Facebook group for the Ecumenical Catholic Communion; I have adapted it slightly for ease of word choice and for punctuation here and there

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Lord,

You offer your love to all humankind,

It’s a gift, your unconditional love,

A love that is repeated every day.

Thou Faithful God, you’ve put in all your love by sending Your Only Son, Jesus.

The essence of this love is that You carried your creation

In the warmth of your heart.

Father, your Son has brought reconciliation in our lives.

Grant that we humans will be as you originally intended.

It is in this love that our lives are completely renewed.

Make us witnesses of this unconditional love,

to love one another,

That our environment may also be touched by this unconditional love.

Father of our existence, accept our honor and glory.

Amen.