Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, A, April 05, 2020

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, A, April 05, 2020

On this Sunday, we recall Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem followed shortly by his horrific death on a cross.  In our own time we are experiencing the rapid transition from normal rhythms of life to being isolated in our homes. Let us recall that as Jesus died for humanity, our sacrifices are also for the well-being of our bothers and sisters.  We join together in lifting our voices to the Father in prayer.

1. That Pope Francis will be protected from harm as he leads the Church to pray for those overcome by fear, for those who are weeping, and for those without hope so that we will lift them up by our concern and compassion. We pray to the Lord.
2. That governments will be inspired to defend their people from the coronavirus, from hunger, war, violence and all circumstances that are at odds with God’s love for his people. We pray to the Lord.
3. That we may raise our voices with the crowds shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David” at all times – during the joys and sorrows, successes and failures, and times of sickness and of health that we experience. We pray to the Lord.
4. That morning after morning as the Lord God opens our ears that we may hear, we may take his words to heart and act on them throughout each day with which we are blessed. We pray to the Lord.
5. That the elderly in nursing homes, those in prisons, and those confined in refugee camps will be kept safe from the spread of the coronavirus, experience support from our community, and find relief from the suffering they endure. We pray to the Lord.
6. That we may joyfully unite our suffering from social distancing and quarantine with that of Jesus who endured the most cruel of isolations as he was nailed to a cross. We pray to the Lord.
7. That our faith may remain always unshaken, unlike that of Peter who denied the Lord three times, so that our lives may consistently proclaim Jesus to a world in need of faith and hope in every circumstance. We pray to the Lord.
8. That as we ponder the Crucifixion of Jesus at this dark time of suffering and fear due to the coronavirus, we may also remember that the Resurrection followed Jesus’ death and brings life and light. We pray to the Lord.
9. That those working to provide medical relief from the coronavirus – doctors, nurses, technicians, orderlies, and hospital maintenance workers – will be kept safe from infection even as they put themselves in harm’s way to serve those who have been struck down. We pray to the Lord.
10. That those who are engaged in long term battles for their health as well as those who have recently become ill will receive inspired medical care, the support of friends and family, and continuous prayer that they may know the Lord is with them. We pray to the Lord.
11. That those who are dying in isolation – in hospitals, on the streets of this world, and in institutions designed primarily to enforce separation – may be comforted by God’s love and be welcomed with joy into the community of saints in heaven. We pray to the Lord.
12. For our own intentions that we recall in silence…….. We pray to the Lord.

O God, on this most unusual Sunday we wave our palms in exultation and meditate on the narrative of the passion and death of Jesus. We ask that you bless our lives with goodness that we may be generous in sharing with those less fortunate that together the world may experience the fullness of a resurrection from all the evils that infect us.  We make our prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.