God of Freedom and Justice,
On this day, we remember and honor the long-delayed news of liberation
for our African American brothers and sisters in Galveston, Texas,
who heard—at last—that they were free.
Let the joy of that long-awaited freedom echo in our hearts,
even as we mourn the suffering and injustice that lingers even now.
Help us, Lord, to never forget: freedom delayed is dignity denied.
Ignite in us the fire of your Spirit—
the Spirit that moves us, as companions in mission,
to walk with the excluded, to labor for reconciliation,
to listen deeply to the stories of pain, resilience, and faith.
God of all people,
May Juneteenth not be merely a moment of remembrance,
but a call to conversion—a summons to the magis,
that we may do work always to advance the freedom, flourishing, and full dignity
of every person made in your divine image.
Amen.
