Prayer at the Opening of a Sacred Council

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You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery;' but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. 'It was also said, 'Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,' but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery. 'Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one. 'You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'* But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and don't turn away him who desires to borrow from you. 'You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor,* and hate your enemy.*' But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven.

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	Prayer at the Opening of a Sacred Council

O God, our God! You have adorned us with Your image and given us a free will. When You entered the Temple in the middle of the feast, O most compassionate Master, You taught the people who were amazed at Your doctrine, for David says, "Come to me, children, and I will teach you the fear of the Lord."

You also taught wisdom to Solomon. Look down even now, O Maker and Creator, upon this Sacred Council, and grant them wisdom and understanding that they may learn Your holy will; warm their hearts in love for You and for their neighbors; guide them on the way of truth and righteousness, keeping their hearts from all evil; unite them in one mind and in one heart, and let mutual brotherly love abide in their midst; bless them for the doing of good and useful things.

We pray You, O most merciful Lord our God, the God of every compassion and consolation: Do not turn away Your face from them, nor deny them their longing, for they have set their hope on You.

Grant them peace and serenity, a unity of spirit, concord and fruitful action, and all those things needful for their temporal and eternal life.

You know our needs, and grant and fulfill our requests even before we make them. For You are the God powerful in mercy and gracious in strength, and to You are due all glory, honor and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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