# The litany of divine tenderness
*2016-08-08*

> Bill Young leads a meditative prayer focusing on the infinite tenderness of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit throughout salvation history.

## Opening invocations

Good afternoon. This is Bill Young and welcome to the Prayer N Lunch podcast. Today is Sunday, August 9th, and we are continuing our reflection on the tenderness of the Father with the Litany of Divine Tenderness. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord have mercy on us. Christ have mercy on us. Lord have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us. God the Father in heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, the Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us.

## The tenderness of the Father

We reflect on the tenderness of the Father who has loved us from eternity, who has chosen us in Christ, and who speaks to us through creation. We honor the tenderness of the Father who called us into existence, who governs the universe, and who sustains and feeds us.

This divine tenderness was revealed to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and through Moses and the prophets. It is the tenderness of the Father who designed our redemption and who awaits us in heaven.

## The tenderness of Jesus Christ

We turn to the tenderness of Jesus, beginning with His incarnation and His childhood. We see this tenderness in His humble life at Nazareth, His public ministry, and the miracles He performed. He showed tenderness in accepting sinners and in His word of life.

We find this tenderness in the Eucharist and in His priesthood. It reached its pinnacle in His Passion, His forgiveness of the repentant thief, and His death on the cross, where tenderness flowed from the wound of His side. He further showed His love by giving us His most holy mother.

## The victory and legacy of tenderness

The tenderness of Jesus continues in His resurrection, His ascension, and in sending us the Holy Spirit. This love is manifested in Mary, Mother of the Church, in the apostles, in the guardian angels, and in His vicar on earth, Pope Francis.

From His trials to His glory, and through the lives of all the saints, the tenderness of Christ remains a constant source of salvation.

## Closing prayer

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, spare us, Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Let us pray: O God, our Father, who loved us from eternity with such infinite tenderness that You sent Your only Son, Jesus, for our salvation, free us from all evil. Console us with Your graces in every moment of our present life, and at the end of our earthly days, bring us to the splendors of eternal life in Your heavenly home to enjoy You forever.

*God's infinite tenderness is woven through every stage of human history and every moment of our lives, from creation to eternal life.*