Print Issue: September 5, 2002

An Ancient Prayer Now Comes From The Heart

By Gerri Lambo, Special To The Bulletin

September 11 is approaching. Most of us will remember where we were that day, and the awesome solemnity and grief of the days and weeks that followed. There is one small realization that I made in the days following 9/11 that I would like to share.

I was at daily Mass. Father Michael Heninger had given a stirring homily about the events that had occurred, including the need to pray constantly for all those who died, for action, for peace. The Mass continued with its normal progression of the presentation of the gifts, the offertory, the consecration of the Eucharist, and then to the breaking of the bread.

It is then that my world stood still for a moment. It was in that moment that I really understood and took to heart those beautiful words that too often roll quickly and thoughtlessly from our mouths:

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    GRANT US PEACE.

We say these beautifully poignant words over the newly consecrated bread and wine, now the true Body and Blood of Christ. We say these words confirming our belief and also our hope that even today this ever present sacrifice of Christ will continue to take away the sins of the WORLD and have MERCY on us . . . Confirming that Christ Himself will take away the sins of the WORLD and grant us PEACE!

The words "sins of the world" struck me hard that day. There are so many! Anger and murder were foremost in my mind. There is war and fighting everyday worldwide and now it had come home. I realized I shouldn't just be praying for my own sins and my own needs, but I should be praying for the world and the sins of the world!

I finally got beyond the words of the litany! I finally got beyond myself! I heard the words roll off my tongue with true conviction, meaning and heart.

It is a prayer we all know and can easily say. I urge you to make it a part of your prayer life. I urge you to pray for world peace wherever you are, in your car, office, home, school and/or church.

Simple words. Powerful words. A simple, powerful prayer. Say the words slowly. Say them with conviction. Say them from your heart for the world.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world.
    GRANT US PEACE.

Gerrie Lambo is a parishioner of St. Pius X Church, Conyers.