Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 13, 2020

Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 13, 2020

We offer our petitions as people in need of forgiveness confident that the Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.  

1. That the Church will proclaim the kingdom of God by a renewed commitment to offering forgiveness to those who have struggled in living their faith.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That nations and cultures who have long standing grievances will not hold tight to wrath, anger, and hateful things but will forgive their neighbors’ injustice.  We pray to the Lord. 
3. That the memory of the terrorism of September 11, which can provide nourishment for anger and vengeance, will instead inspire us to shun death and decay, to put enmity aside, and to cease from sin.  We pray to the Lord.
4. That in contemplating the injustices, hurts, and sins of our lives, we will not dwell on a past that cannot be changed but will seek healing from the Lord through forgiveness that we offer and receive.  We pray to the Lord. 
5. That the fires, hurricanes, droughts, heat, famine, and floods visiting the Earth, and the suffering they cause, will strengthen our determination “that the planet’s resources will not be plundered but will be shared in a just and equitable manner.”^[1]  We pray to the Lord.
6. That during this month of the Seven Sorrows of Mary, we will be uplifted by knowledge that Mary overcame the great sorrows she endured by embracing God’s will for her, ever confident of his love.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That those entrusted with the responsibility for making decisions to counteract the coronavirus will be inspired by the Holy Spirit and will act only for the well-being of the people they serve.  We pray to the Lord.
8. That Fr. Christopher, Parishioners for Justice, and all who seek justice may be able to find forgiveness in their hearts for those who have wronged them and be freed from the shackles of anger and bitterness that inhibit healing.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That Catholics in North Korea, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, China, and countries where they are persecuted for their faith will be given the grace to be lights of that faith through their offering of abundant forgiveness to those who oppress and mistreat them.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That the use of weapons to settle disputes among individuals and nations will give way to an era where peace is established through forgiveness, mutual respect, and the construction of a “civilization of love.”^[2]  We pray to the Lord.
11. That in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic that knows “no barriers, borders, or cultural distinctions”², we may be renewed in our efforts to destroy anger against another and to deepen our faith that expects healing from the Lord.  We pray to the Lord.
12. That those who have died will be forgiven their sins and be crowned with kindness, compassion, and joy for all eternity.  We pray to the Lord.

O God, as we struggle to be agents of your mercy and forgiveness, we raise our voices to you in prayer seeking your consolation in all that troubles us in our lives.  We ask for the strength to forgive not seven times but seventy-seven times as we make our prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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^[1] Pope Francis’ monthly intention for September, 2020.

^[2] Quoted phrases are from General Audience of Pope Francis, September 9, 2020.