INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
It’s a little over 800 years, according to the general consensus, since Andrei Rublev painted his icon of the three visitors to Abraham and Sarah, before reworking it to create what is now famously known as The Trinity.
The three figures sit at the table in silent but active communion with one another. Far from forming a closed circle, they frame an open space occupied by a table on which a cup is placed, inviting us to share in their intimacy.
There is so much to contemplate in this extraordinary work. The cup alone has many layers of meaning – joy, fellowship, suffering and sacrifice. It’s a fertile symbol of the grace and cost of the divine-human hospitality featured in today’s word.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all leaders in the Australian Catholic community, that they will act decisively to implement the decisions of the Plenary Council.
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, Christ among us is our hope of glory. Let us pray for the mystery of Christ to kindle hope around the world.
READER
We pray for Pope Francis, servant of the church, that like Paul the apostle he will testify unceasingly to the crucified Christ. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the countless people suffering from hunger, violence, natural disasters or state oppression, that the human family will put solidarity with them into effective practice. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for a world-wide spirit of hospitality like that of Abraham, Martha and Mary, that households and nations will welcome others with warmth and generosity. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for girls and young women in societies that curtail their freedom and deny them education, that they will hold fast to their hope for just recognition. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for our northern neighbours, the peoples of Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and West Papua, that Australia will prove to be a good friend and reliable partner. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all who are caught in the web of economic or sexual slavery, especially women and children, that nations will unite in efforts to set them free. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Australian communities devastated by present floods and past bushfires, that they will have all the resources and resilience they need to recover. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for farming families, businesses and communities, that they will give workplace safety the priority it needs. (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 live in the presence of the Lord for ever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of all wisdom, you bid us listen to the words of your Son. Help us put them into practice. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Image: Rublev – The Trinity. WikiCommons