INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
The crowd asks Jesus what works God wants of them. His reply wrongfoots them. To work for God, Jesus says, is to believe.
They are to believe in the one on whom ‘the Father, God himself, has set his seal’. Sealing signifies the total intimacy of Father and Son. Jesus will make this explicit in his dangerous claim: “’The Father and I are one’ (10:30).
Fully initiated Christians have likewise been sealed. ‘Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit’, the bishop declares when laying on his hand and anointing the candidate for confirmation. This holy gift fills us with the unbounded love that flows freely between Father, Son and Spirit.
Our work is to dare to believe we are so loved.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for all Confirmation candidates, young and old, that they will welcome the grace bestowed on them and rejoice in their dignity as children of God.
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, united by our common hunger for the bread of life, let us pray with one heart and one voice for the needs of the whole human family.
READER
We pray for the global human community, that the cyber technology on which we depend will highlight our common humanity and urge us to work together for a safe and peaceful world. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the citizens of nations experiencing political and economic instability, that active engagement with their civil institutions will defend them against the ambitions of autocrats. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the members of all Christian churches, that the feast of the Transfiguration and the anniversary of Hiroshima will inspire them anew to follow Jesus, the Prince of Peace. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for church in Australia, that St Mary of the Cross MacKillop will be an unfailing source of inspiration for trust in Providence and service of the poor. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, that today’s national celebration will help make them ‘strong in culture and stronger together’. (Pause) Let pray to the Lord.
We pray for today’s young Australians, that they will be blessed with wise companions and challenging prophets to point the way to a life of generous love. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for the faithful volunteers who prepare and provide meals for the disadvantaged, that their service will nourish the hearts and spirits as well as the bodies of those in need. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for our families, friends and members of our parish community, that we will help each other put on the new self of goodness, holiness and truth that is Christ Jesus. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray for those who have died recently . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will be given their place at the banquet of everlasting life. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
Holy God and Father of Jesus, you never cease to nourish our desire for you and for all that is good. Set us free to thank and praise you every day of our lives. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.