25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 19, 2021

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 19, 2021

We come to the Father seeking the humility to recognize our unworthiness to ask for blessings beyond what we have received, yet with hope that through these prayers we may come to know better His love for us. 

1. That the Church may strive not to be a fortress, a stronghold, a lofty castle looking out upon the world below but to be a servant of all in need of relief from poverty, war, rejection, and spiritual brokenness.^[1]   We pray to the Lord.
2. That nations may seek just and fraternal societies that support “the right of each person to receive the bread of employment so that none will feel marginalized or constrained to leave family and homeland in search of a better life.”^[2]  We pray to the Lord. 
3. That “the salt of the faith [may act] not by reacting in worldly terms — by engaging in culture wars — but by quietly and humbly sowing the seeds of God’s kingdom, especially by the witness of charity.”^[3]  We pray to the Lord.
4. That bishops, clergy, and religious [will embrace the challenge of educating] people for a mature and free relationship with God that does not dominate consciences and occupy spaces but rather provides a wellspring of hope in their lives.^[4]  We pray to the Lord.
5. That we may persevere in our “journey in the freedom of the Gospel, in the creativity of faith and in the dialogue that has its source in the mercy of God, who has made us brothers and sisters and calls us to be builders of harmony and peace.”^[5]  We pray to the Lord.
6. That we may recognize jealousy and selfish ambition that exist in our lives and work to replace them with wisdom from above that is pure, gentle, compliant, full of mercy, and that cultivates peace.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That fear, hatred, and intolerance that poison society in Afghanistan and relations between many people who covet but do not possess, kill and envy but cannot obtain, will be overcome by selflessness and by our example of Christian love.  We pray to the Lord.
8. That during this National Migration Week we will consider the circumstances confronting immigrants, refugees, children separated from families, and victims of human trafficking by contemplating the theme “Toward an ever wider ‘we’” that calls us to live so that there are no longer “others” but only “we”, a “we” as wide as all of humanity.”^[6]  We pray to the Lord.
9. That Fr. Christopher may be freed from the bonds of foul practice that have impacted his ministry so that it may bear good fruits that build the kingdom of heaven on earth.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That rather than arguing about whose ideas are the greatest in defeating the pandemic, in overcoming environmental challenges, or in mitigating poverty, we may look to the innocence of children who seek truth rather than status and put our faith in the arms of Jesus that surround us.  We pray to the Lord.
11. That those who are ill in body, mind, or spirit will know that God is their helper and that the Lord sustains their lives so that they may rejoice in offering him prayers of praise for his goodness.  We pray to the Lord.
12. That those in our communities, parishes, and families who have died during this pandemic will be welcomed into everlasting life, and those who mourn will be consoled by faith in the Risen Lord who overcame death.   We pray to the Lord.

O God, may our prayers not be the arguments of those seeking greatness so that your answers show us the way to be the last of all and the servant of all.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

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^[1] From speech of Pope Francis during his visit to Slovakia, September 13, 2021

^[2] From speech of Pope Francis during his visit to Slovakia, September 13, 2021

^[3] From speech of Pope Francis during his visit to Slovakia, September 13, 2021

^[4] Based on speech of Pope Francis during his visit to Slovakia, September 13, 2021

^[5] From speech of Pope Francis during his visit to Slovakia, September 13, 2021

^[6] Based on the theme of NMW and video of Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.