Fifth Sunday of Easter Sunday, May 2, 2021
We come to the Father as branches of the true vine to ask that our lives may be pruned and nourished, that our lives may be sustained and flourish.
- That the Church may be blessed with leaders like Barnabas who defend those who speak boldly in the name of Jesus despite the fears of others who wish to silence them. We pray to the Lord.
- That the Church experiencing persecution in North Korea, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and in small cities and towns may be at peace, be built up, and grow in numbers with the consolation of the Holy Spirit. We pray to the Lord.
- That the people of India who are dying in hospital corridors while being fleeced by the ruthlessness of the greedy, whose parks are being turned into cremation grounds, and who live each day with trauma, chaos, and indignity may overcome the cold indifference and lack of love that are elements of the covid crisis. We pray to the Lord.
- That attention to the pandemic emergency may not leave us complacent about the plight of refugees, the genocidal activities in China, and the daily challenges of those who live in climates of hatred and fear.[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That we may love, not in word or speech, but in deed and truth. We pray to the Lord.
- That we may be branches of the true vine that grow and bear fruit, as we are pruned by Jesus’ word that calls us to reject our sinful ways and remain in him. We pray to the Lord.
- That those in charge of finance will work with governments to regulate the financial sphere and protect citizens from its dangers.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That during this month of May dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God, we may turn to her to seek the Christ in her arms, to seek our Savior in her, through her, and with her, to find a haven of salvation, a transcendent fountain of life.[3] We pray to the Lord.
- That Fr. Christopher may recover well and quickly from his recent surgeries and from the stress he has been enduring for these past 4.5 years. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who are ill may find relief from their suffering, hope as branches of the true vine, and the loving support of friends, family, and medical professionals. We pray to the Lord.
- That our deceased relatives and friends may be carried by our Risen Lord to the home of the vine grower, where they may rejoice for all eternity for the fruit their lives have borne. We pray to the Lord.
O God on this day we ask for the life-giving grace that flows from the true vine to all its branches so that we may live according to your will and remain in you forever. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Based on reaction of Sr. Neusa de Fatima Mariano, Superior General of the Scalabrians to the Regina Coeli comments of Pope Francis, April 28, 2021.
[2] Intention of Pope Francis for the month of May, 2021.
[3] Based on paragraph 2 of Mense Maio, Encyclical of Pope Paul VI on Prayers During May for Preservation of Peace, April 29, 1965.
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