Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, January 17, 2021
Today we hear that God spoke to Samuel while he was sleeping, inspired Andrew who was with John the Baptist, and welcomed Simon, the brother of Andrew. He reaches out to each of us, wherever we are in our belief and unbelief, and we respond with our prayers confident that God is with us.
- That Pope Francis will be protected from harm and be blessed with wisdom and grace as he leads the Church in praising God in disappointing and difficult times as well as in times of happiness[1]. We pray to the Lord.
- That the Immaculate Virgin, Patroness of the United States, may help keep alive the culture of encounter and care and protect the democratic values rooted in our society as the way to build the common good for all in our country.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That when the Lord calls us, we may be like Samuel who despite his unfamiliarity with the Lord responded to his call in faith, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” We pray to the Lord.
- That we may glorify God in our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit, by shunning all immoral behavior and actions that are counter to love of God and love of neighbor. We pray to the Lord.
- That as Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus, we may bring our family members and friends who have not found the Messiah to know Jesus. We pray to the Lord.
- That the thousands of refugees fleeing war, persecution, and poverty who are stranded in the snow and freezing cold in the Balkans without shelter, clothing, or heat may find the distant dream of a better life and receive compassionate aid. We pray to the Lord.
- That the new president and his administration to be inaugurated on Wednesday will preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States with conviction, selflessness, and for the well-being of the people they have been elected to serve. We pray to the Lord.
- That during this year of St. Joseph, we ask particularly that Blessed Joseph, our president’s patron saint, will guide him and our country in the path of life, obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and will defend us from every evil.[3]
- That politicians, judges, medical professionals and all people will show respect at all times for the lives of the unborn from the moment of conception, for the newly born, for the impoverished, for the imprisoned, and for those who are sick or aging as they approach the hour of death. We pray to the Lord.
- That Fr. Christopher, who responded to his call to the priesthood by doing the will of God, will be restored to full ministry and be relieved of the pain of injustice and abuse. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are suffering directly from covid or from its side effects of loneliness, isolation, and fear may know that the Lord stoops toward them and hears their cry putting a new song in their mouth that they may sing prayers to God with hope and joy. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who have died in service to our country, defending our freedom and promoting peace and security for all people, may be welcomed with joy into their eternal resting place where violence and hatred are no more. We pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we know that your Son, the Lamb of God, came to us as Rabbi and Teacher. May we always stay with him and listen to his word which answers all our needs. We make our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Based on audience of Pope Francis, January 13, 2021
[2] Based on remarks of Pope Francis at Sunday Angelus, January 10, 2021
[3] Based on prayer to St. Joseph concluding Patris Corde.
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