INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel story, one son says ‘Yes’ to his father and then acts out ‘No’. The other son does the opposite. What Jesus wants from his recalcitrant listeners is a ‘Yes’ to his word that stays a ‘Yes’.
Jesus himself, as Paul memorably wrote in his moody second letter to the Corinthians, defending himself from the charge of reneging on a promise to visit them, ‘was never Yes and No; with him it was always Yes’ (1:19). This is doubly true.
Christ is God’s own ‘Yes’, fulfilling all God’s promises to humankind. He is also humankind’s unreserved ‘Yes’ to God, ‘even to accepting death, death on a cross’ (Phil 2:8). In him we dare to say and mean our own ‘Yes’.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for those who sow seeds of doubt, fear, mistrust and falsehood in the social media, that they will repent of their ways and commit themselves to the truth.
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, to have the mind of Christ is to empty ourselves as he did and be loving servants of one another. In that spirit let us pray for a new heaven and a new earth.
READER
We pray for all members of the Synod on Synodality starting in Rome this week. May they be united in their convictions and their love and have a common purpose and a common mind. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the whole human family. May tomorrow’s World Habitat Day (2 October) and this week’s feast of St Francis of Assisi (4 October) inspire us all to delight in nature and care for the earth, our common home. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of Morocco and Libya and all places laid low by natural disasters. May the international community be generous and resolute in providing aid. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the global Christian community. May all the baptised be one in acclaiming Jesus Christ as their Crucified and Risen Saviour. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the people of Australia, whether ancient inhabitants or modern migrants. May the upcoming referendum on the Voice unite the nation in service of justice, respect and recognition. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for young people facing both economic hardship and ecological crisis. May they have the support they need to face these challenges to their mental health. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for teachers of every kind. May World Teachers Day (celebrated internationally on 5 October and here in Australia on 27 October) encourage them in their invaluable role of educating, forming and accompanying the young. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all whose lives are given over to the full-time care of a dependent family member. May their devotion be matched by the community resources they need. (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 raised on high with Christ to the glory of God the Father. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
Loving God and Father of Jesus, your raised your Son from the shame of the cross to glory at your right hand. Give us the courage to follow him in humility and service. We ask this through Christ our Lord.