Around the world faithful Christians have just spent days and nights in ritual remembrance of Jesus’ self-sacrificing love.
A wealth of word, symbol and gesture kept them by Jesus’ side in the upper room, in the garden of Gethsemane, on the hill of Calvary and at his tomb. One of those symbols – the great Easter candle – will now accompany the community for the great 50 days of the festive season.
When the candle was lit from the paschal fire, this prayer was uttered: ‘May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.’ And, we might add, ‘the darkness of our warring world’. Thus augmented, this makes a daily mantra for our time of global turmoil.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For the whole human family, that all will be drawn to the light of the risen Christ and find life in him.
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, on this holy night/day we rejoice and are glad, for Christ is risen as he said. Let us pray with fervent faith for the hopes of the world.
READER
We pray for Mother Earth and all her creatures, that every living thing will give glory to Jesus Christ, the first-born from the dead. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for a new dawn of peace and mercy to break upon the world, that weapons of war be laid down, hostilities cease and wounds begin to heal. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the world-wide Christian community, that it be an unmistakeable sign of God’s saving love for all peoples on earth. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for every person baptised, confirmed and welcomed to the eucharistic table at the Easter Vigil, that they be filled every day with the joy of the Gospel. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the Catholic faithful of Australia, that their hopes for a spirited outcome from the Plenary Council will be fulfilled. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the voters of the nation, that in the lead-up to the federal election they will wisely consider who will best promote social and climate justice. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for young homeless people, that policy-makers will take the steps needed to provide the shelter they need for a new future. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for children, parents and teachers, that they will have the opportunity to enjoy the school holidays and return refreshed. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will share to the full in Christ’s victory over death. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
Saving God, you made the cross of Christ a tree of life for all. Make us untiring apostles of your love. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Image: Paschal candle, depositphotos.com