>>> St JOSAPHAT – Pray for Us!
PRAY ALWAYS AND NEVER LOSE HEART
Introduction
How tragic it is that “Christ is divided” in many denominations and sects… The Polish Bishop Josaphat (1580-1623) dedicated much of his life in the 17th century to the reunion of the Orthodox Church with Rome. This task cost him his life. The work of Church unity is far from ended. There are still many obstacles in the way. Good progress has been made, though, toward mutual tolerance and respect.
Opening Prayer
One God and Father of all,
St. Josaphat dedicated his life and his death
to unite in one faith and love
those who believe in your Son, Jesus Christ.
Let your Holy Sprit pour out his love
in all those for whom Jesus
is the ground and meaning of their lives.
Let this love unite us in one common bond
of understanding and respect of one another
and let this love dispose us
to live for one another and to serve one another
in our brother Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading 2 JOHN 5-8
Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons, so that we may be co-workers in the truth.
Responsorial PSALM 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord. or: Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed. R.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just. R.
Well for the man who is gracious and lends,
who conducts his affairs with justice;
He shall never be moved;
the just one shall be in everlasting remembrance. R.
Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel,
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel LUKE 18:1-8
Jesus told his disciples a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary. He said, “There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary.’ For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.'” The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?
Commentary
On Prayer
Prayer is as essential as breath for a soul. Reflecting on the spiritual journey, 13th century mystic St. Angela of Foligno underlines the need for sustained prayer thus:
“No one can be saved without divine light. Divine light causes us to begin and to make progress, and it leads us to the summit of perfection. Therefore, if you want to begin and to receive this divine light, pray. If you have begun to make progress, pray. And if you have reached the summit of perfection, and want to be super-illumined so as to remain in that state, pray. If you want faith, pray. If you want hope, pray. If you want charity, pray. If you want poverty, pray. If you want obedience, pray. If you want chastity, pray. If you want humility, pray. If you want meekness, pray. If you want fortitude, pray. If you want any virtue, pray.”
Intercessions
– For ministers in the Church, that they may be men and women of prayer mindful of the Lord’s words, “Without me you can do nothing,” we pray:
– For all who seek God, that they may enter into a dialogue with God by praying from the heart how they can live their Christian life, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
at his invitation, we gather at the table of your Son
and we prepare ourselves to share his meal together.
As he has united us as his brothers and sisters,
may the Holy Spirit keep us one
in the life of every day.
Let him bind us together
in strong and dedicated communities,
in which we accept one another
notwithstanding our differences.
Unite us in the one love
of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
the Psalmist rejoices
whenever brothers and sisters
can live together in one love.
Let this become a reality among us
who believe in our one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Let the deepest witnessing of our faith be,
that we live for one another in the same unity
that united your Son Jesus, with you,
our living and loving God,
now an for ever. Amen!
Blessing
We should keep in mind that prayer is not just asking for favors for each of us personally but, aside from praise and thanks to God, an intercession for the good of others, of the community. The more reason why it should be insistent! May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!