All people are created in God’s image to be whole and in full partnership with God, ourselves, each other, and all of creation. Because we are created in God’s image, we deserve to be treated with dignity and respect in our homes, at work, and in all our relationships. All parts of people are important—the physical, the emotional, the sexual, and the spiritual.
In healthy relationships, partners share feelings, power, decision making, finances, and responsibilities. Partnership involves gentleness, mutual trust, communication, love, equality, forgiveness, affirmation, support, and acceptance of the other person just as that person exists.
We pray: God, our creator, we celebrate the sacredness of ourselves and all of creation. Jesus, our advocate, grant us the gifts of love, strength, and new life. May the Holy Spirit surrounds us with God’s protective and healing love. Amen.
This message is adapted from the program “Women: Meant to Be Whole,” written by Vicki Norstog Dale and published by Women of the ELCA in 1989. Today we remember Justin, martyr at Rome, who died around 165.
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