Fifth Sunday of Lent, March 14, 2021
We join with the Greeks who ask to see Jesus, confident that the Father has sent his only Son to us so that we might be saved.
- That as the Church celebrates the eighth anniversary of Pope Francis’ leadership with gratitude, may he be given wisdom, grace, strength, and support so that all, from least to greatest, shall know the Lord. We pray to the Lord.
- That the world which suffers from violence, hatred, and war will turn to the Lord that he may write his law on our hearts and we may be forgiven our evildoing. We pray to the Lord.
- That our prayers to the Holy Spirit will make us mindful of Jesus, keep him present in our lives in every time and place, and allow him to educate us by transforming our hearts.[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may be grains of wheat who lose the elements of our lives that focus on ourselves and our personal interests so that we may produce much fruit through knowing how to see and to meet the needs of our neighbors.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That the children of Mozambique who cower in fear of beheading, of murder, and of attacks on their homes and the 700,000 refugees there may be freed from the suffering caused by international terrorism. We pray to the Lord.
- That the unaccompanied migrant children arriving at the U.S. southern border may find relief from the poverty and crime they are fleeing, be reunited with their families and guardians, and be treated with the dignity and love due to all of God’s vulnerable creation. We pray to the Lord.
- That Fr. Christopher and all who suffer may experience the death of relationships, declines of health, questions about faith, or the loss of whatever is dear as invitations to a more profound life in this world and to a future sharing in everlasting life. We pray to the Lord.
- That our Lenten sacrifices may enable us to join with Jesus in accepting the will of the Father and knowing the purposes of our lives in all that we encounter. We pray to the Lord.
- That efforts to distribute the vaccines and needed medical care to people suffering from isolation, disease, and malnourishment will increase and be supported as acts of reverence for all life. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are ill may join their sufferings with those of Jesus on the cross and be healed of their infirmities. We pray to the Lord.
- That those grains of wheat we have known in our lives who have died may rest in eternal life and that our memories of them will produce much fruit in our own lives. We pray to the Lord.
O God, as we ponder life and death on Earth and seek your consolation, may we prepare for the lifting up of your Son and be among those who are drawn to him in the joy of Easter. We offer our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Based on General Audience of Pope Francis, March 17, 2021.
[2] Based on Angelus reflection of Pope Francis, March 18, 2018.
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