Giver of Peace, inspire all peoples with your meekness and humility of heart. Heal the strife and animosity that separate your sons and daughters and all the nations of the world. You who came to save us, endow us with loving intentions and loving actions. Let the peace of Bethlehem be with us always. Grant us the peace of justice, the peace of charity, and eternal peace with you. Amen.
(Thomas Merton)

1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good.
2 God looks down from heaven on the sons of men
to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.
3 Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
4 Will the evildoers never learn—
those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on God?
5 There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread.
God scattered the bones of those who attacked you;
you put them to shame, for God despised them.
6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!
Psalm 53 New International Version

Readings for today from the Daily Lectionary
(click on underlined link to go directly to the reading):
Isaiah 9:8-17 – 2 Peter 2:1-10 – Mark 1:1-8