INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Paul’s account of the Lord’s Supper has much in common with that of Matthew, Mark and Luke but with one notable difference.
The Gospel writers present the supper as a key event in the life and mission of Jesus heralding his passion and death. For his part Paul is concerned with how the meal is celebrated by the Corinthian community.
Instead of being an occasion of unity and solidarity, it foments division between rich and poor. The well-to-do indulge themselves while the poor go hungry.
Paul reminds them bluntly: their table fellowship must manifest the selfless love embodied in Jesus’ saving death. Serving each other in community fires our desire to follow Jesus and feed the hungry of the world.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For the wealthy and well-fed, that they will share their resources freely to ease the global food crisis.
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, fed by the word of life and eager to break bread with the Lord Jesus, let us pray for all who hunger in body, mind and spirit.
READER
We pray for the whole of creation, reconciled in the body of Christ. May everything in heaven and on earth be one in his peace. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the body of Christ that is the church. May we proclaim his saving death in faith until he comes again. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who serve as ministers of the Eucharist. May they be faithful stewards of this mystery of love that feeds our hearts and minds. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the starving millions of the world in this desperate time of famine. May nations with food stocks join forces to share their resources. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the reform of Australia’s refugee policies and practices. May our elected leaders collaborate with neighbouring nations to meet the challenge together. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the homeless and those in low-grade housing as winter sets in. May local communities, welfare agencies and all levels of government combine to provide them with proper shelter. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all seafarers. May World Seafarers Day (25 June) highlight the service they give and help assure them of safe and just working conditions. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for our parish community. May this week’s feast of the Sacred Heart (24 June) be marked by generous giving for the needs of the poor. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time. May they be welcomed to the banquet of eternal life. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Giver of all good gifts, Lord God, you bless us with the bread of life and cup of salvation. Set us free for lives of self-sacrificing love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.