INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’ asked the disciples at Emmaus. That same evening, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and ‘opened their minds to understand the scriptures.’ Peter the apostle also declares that God had foretold ‘through all his prophets that his Christ would suffer.’
The challenge of making sense of the catastrophe of the Cross drove Jesus’ followers to bring these prophetic hints into sharp focus. Faced with Jewish hopes for a political liberator and Roman admiration for military might, their mission of presenting a crucified outsider as the key to humankind’s destiny was daunting. One might well wonder whether it is any less so today.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for Jewish believers around the world, that they be respected and honoured as the faithful people of God’s ancient covenant.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, the risen Lord has greeted us with peace and commissioned us to preach forgiveness to all nations. We join together in praying for healing and freedom for all humankind.
READER
We pray for the world-wide community of faith, that by lives of love Christians everywhere will bear joyful witness to Christ’s victory over sin and death. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the human family in these times of rupture and division, that by the grace of God a new spirit of hope will free all people to work together for peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for repentance for our failure to care for creation, that with our sin forgiven we will renew our pledge to hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who have suffered abuse from church personnel and for their abusers, that the mercy of the risen Lord will bring them healing and peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for an end to words and actions that belittle and dehumanise others, that every human being will receive the respect that is their right as a child of God. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for mayors, councillors and local government officers, that they will serve their community with dedication, integrity and care for the common good. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young people struggling to cope with mental illness, that they will be blessed with the support of family, friends and professional services. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the parents of young and adolescent children, that they will delight in seeing them grow and flourish. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will be led by their Good Shepherd to the banquet of eternal life. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Mighty God and fount of mercy, you have reconciled us to yourself in Christ. Make our hearts burn with love for you. We ask this through the same Christ, our risen Lord.