INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
This year’s Social Justice Statement is entitled Cry of the Earth. Cry of the Poor. It dovetails with the latest stark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Here’s a tiny fragment that echoes Pope Francis’ appeal in Laudato si’: “. . .ecological conversion calls us to a renewed way of understanding the cosmos and humanity – a new vision of what it is to be a human being before God and in the world. It calls us to a new spirituality, or way of understanding and expressing our relationship with the Divine in our lives. To bring about lasting change, it must also be a ‘community conversion.’ We are being called to a new way of thinking, feeling, understanding, and living.”
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For local communities heeding the cry of the earth and the poor, that their work will sow the seeds of a global conversion.
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 word of God calls us to live from our hearts and care for those in need. In faith and love let us pray for the needy of the world.
READER
We pray for the whole people of God, that they will hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the church in Australia, that this Social Justice Sunday will set us in right relationship with God our Creator, the whole human family and all of creation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for world leaders, that they will join forces without delay and commit themselves to effective action on the climate crisis threatening the planet. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of Afghanistan, especially its young girls and women, that they will be able to sustain their hopes for freedom and justice, even under the Taliban regime. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Afghani refugees in Australia, that they will be given the permanent protection so long denied them. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all whose physical and mental health and livelihoods are suffering extreme stress from COVID-19, that community care and cooperation will give them fresh heart. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the families of veterans who have lost their lives or their health as a result of active service, that the work of Legacy will assure them of the support they need. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young indigenous Australians, that they will cherish the rich heritage of stories and customs being passed on to them by their elders. (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 the first-fruits of the new creation. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God and Father of light, you have brought us to birth in the truth. Help us shed the light of your truth wherever we go. We ask this through Christ our Lord.