23rd WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME - SATURDAY
Gospel: Luke 6:43–49
On this day of the Season of Creation, we remember the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place where Christ’s Cross and Resurrection shine forth as love stronger than death. The Cross calls us to live in “peace with creation,” reconciled with God, neighbor, and the earth. Today is also the feast of St John Chrysostom, who taught us to value every creature as “good” in God’s eyes. With trust, we lift our prayers: LORD, HEAR OUR PRAYER or LORD, MAKE US PEACEBUILDERS WITH CREATION.
1. That the Church, built on the solid foundation of Christ, may proclaim the Gospel with integrity and call all peoples to a renewed harmony with creation. Let us pray to the Lord.
2. That government leaders may enact policies fostering justice, peace, and sustainability, in the spirit of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. May their decisions protect the vulnerable and promote reconciliation with the earth. Let us pray to the Lord.
3. That, following the example of St John Chrysostom, we may learn to see every creature—whether useful or wild, gentle or fierce—as good in God’s design, and treat creation with reverence and care. Let us pray to the Lord.
4. That those who suffer from war, ecological destruction, or the burden of poverty may find hope in the Cross of Christ and be consoled by communities of faith and solidarity. Let us pray to the Lord.
5. That the faithful departed may rest in the peace of Christ, who through his death and Resurrection opened for us the way to eternal life. Let us pray to the Lord.
Loving Father, through the Cross and Resurrection your Son reconciled all things to you. By the prayers of St John Chrysostom, make us grateful for every creature you made and eager to live in peace with creation. Strengthen our hearts to be wise builders, founding our lives on Christ, your living Word. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Creation from Laudato Si’
This prayer by Pope Francis appeared at the end of his 2015 encyclical Laudato Si'. It is for all who believe in God who is the all-powerful Creator.
All powerful God,
you are present in the universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with your peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned
and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty,
not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle,
for justice, love and peace.
Comments
Post a Comment