Pax Christi Metro DC-Baltimore

By Art Laffin

Praise God our Creator, Source of all life.
I will sing praise to God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes and presidents,
in mortals, in whom there is no salvation.
When they die they, too, return to earth;
on that very day their plans perish.

Happy are those whose hope is in the Lord, their God,
who made heaven and earth,
the sea and all that is in them;
who keeps faith forever;
who executes justice for the oppressed;
who gives food to the hungry;
who labors for the common good and the beloved community.

For the Lord sets prisoners free,
and opens the eyes of the blind;
the Lord raises up those who are bowed down
and loves those who do what is right.
The Lord watches over the strangers, refugees and homeless
and upholds the orphan, the widow and the immigrant.

But the way of the wicked—those who commit acts of violence, who kill,
exploit, wage war, perpetrate injustice, trust in idols, demonize and scapegoat–
are brought to ruin!
God is sovereign over all earthly rulers and powers.
God, alone, is our Judge—it is God who will have the last word!
God will reign forever—
not presidents, judges or generals, the rich and powerful.

To all earthly rulers,
to all who hold political power, to people everywhere—
take notice: do what God requires—
follow God’s commands, not opinion polls.
End all poverty, killing, warmaking;
beat all swords into plowshares;
renounce all idolatry;
eradicate racism and all forms of discrimination;
stand with the victims.

Happy are those who put their trust in God.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice;
who care for the earth and practice unconditional love;
who do the works of mercy and peace;
who work for reconciliation for all peoples.

Let all generations praise God.
Let us praise God forever!