Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 22, 2020

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, November 22, 2020

We come to the Father recognizing Jesus Christ as our King asking for the grace to be worthy members of his kingdom.   

1. That our faith may be strengthened through our love of the Church which is our home and a work of God that brings Christ to us and us to God even in times when her face is marred by human frailty and sin^[1].  We pray to the Lord.
2. That our efforts to overcome the universal devastation of the coronavirus will recognize the equal value of every human life and will seek care for the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, and the displaced.   We pray to the Lord.
3. That in the midst of political turmoil in our nation and throughout the world, we may pray and act in ways that give glory to Jesus Christ, King of the Universe.  We pray to the Lord. 
4. That even as we enjoy our Thanksgiving feasts, we may recognize Jesus in the hungry and thirsty of the world and take action to provide them with food and drink.   We pray to the Lord.
5. That families kept apart who are unable to celebrate Thanksgiving together will be heartened by knowledge of God’s presence among his scattered sheep, his pledge to rescue them from every place, and his promise to seek out and heal the lost and injured.  We pray to the Lord.
6. That despite the many challenges this past year has provided, we may be grateful and give thanks for the beauty we have seen, for friends who encourage and support us, and for opportunities to give generously of ourselves in building God’s kingdom on Earth. We pray to the Lord.
7. That as we mark the 75th anniversary of the beginning of the Nuremberg trials, may we work to value each individual as we resolutely cry out against the slaughter of innocents, against genocide, and against all atrocities that human beings inflict on each other.  We pray to the Lord.
8. That those fleeing the fighting in Tigray, Ethiopia and refugees throughout the world who leave their homes because of violence, poverty, or destruction will be strangers recognized as Jesus and given welcome in foreign lands.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That workers in the medical professions who are being overwhelmed in their efforts to serve the sick will find peaceful rest, have their souls refreshed, and be protected from illness and exhaustion as they labor.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That Fr. Christopher and all victims of abuse in the Church will be rescued from every place where they were scattered when it was cloudy and dark and be tended by the Good Shepherd.  We pray to the Lord. 
11. That those who are ill and discouraged, who see themselves as being among the least ones, will be united with Christ in their suffering and have their needs ministered to by compassionate caregivers.  We pray to the Lord.
12. That those who have died will be among the sheep who inherit the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world and be mourned with thanksgiving by those left behind for their friendship and love.  We pray to the Lord.

O God, through your Son, Jesus our King, you have revealed yourself to be loving and merciful.  May we act with that same love and mercy towards all we encounter who are in need.   We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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^[1]Based on remarks of Pope Francis at the conclusion of his general audience on November 18, 2020.