INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Last year, Dorothy Day’s granddaughter Kate Hennessy published nine ‘provocations’ in The Tablet. The eighth, entitled ‘Love: and see the face of God’ (29 July), parallels the Good Shepherd’s self-sacrificing love in today’s Gospel.
Kate concludes: ‘Find community, share meals with others, and explain the hope that is in you, Dorothy said. If you are going to accept this awareness of love, nothing but the best endeavours will do: serving soup and coffee, handing out clothes, providing showers, talking, writing . . . When Dorothy opened the door, it wasn’t only to the destitute. Every person who walked in was searching for something . . . And in this flow of individuals, in this love in action, Dorothy saw the face of God.’
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for all who live with a disability, that their hope of leading lives of personal fulfilment and community service will be realised with the support of the whole community.
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, our Good Shepherd Jesus has laid open the way to a life of grace and glory. Following his example, let us embrace the world with love as we pray.
READER
We pray for all who call in faith on the name of Jesus, that they will truly become one body, one spirit, in Christ. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for pastors and ministers of the gospel, that they will gladly care for the flock entrusted to them and enjoy their love and respect. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are prayerfully discerning a call to ministry, that they will be well guided by wise mentors and God’s Spirit of counsel. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for aid workers and peace negotiators in every place of brutal bloodshed, that their combined efforts will bring relief to those who are overwhelmed with pain and misery. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all in positions of economic and political power, that tomorrow’s observance of Mother Earth Day will call them to effective action for the wellbeing of the planet and all its creatures. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Jewish believers preparing to celebrate Passover, that they will be a leaven of peace, freedom and justice for all people on earth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of Australia and New Zealand, that this week’s Anzac Day services will draw everyone together in remembrance, reconciliation and hope. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for those who cannot afford timely health care, that their plight will be addressed by social policy makers with the support of the whole community. (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 see God face to face and rejoice with the saints forever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Holy God and Father of Jesus, your Son laid down his life out of love for you and for us. Set us free to put our lives at the service of all. We ask this through Christ, our risen Lord.