33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, November 14, 2021

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, November 14, 2021

On this Sunday as we look to the end times, we may be sensitive to all that occurs in our lives that show us the Lord is near. 

1. That during its General Assembly this week, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will find the grace and wisdom to fulfill its mission to “encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy.”^[1]  We pray to the Lord.
2. That during this time that is unsurpassed in distress for many who are in flight, they may escape from their sleep in the dust of the Earth and be led to justice by those who are like the stars forever. We pray to the Lord. 
3. That when the day or hour that no one knows visits the earth and the Son of Man comes in the clouds with great power and glory, we may be among his elect gathered from the four winds, from the end of the earth to the end of the sky.  We pray to the Lord.
4. That we may be shown the path of life, fullness of joys in the Lord’s presence, as we meet our daily challenges confident that the Lord will never abandon our souls.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That on this World Day of the Poor, we may know the poor not as people “outside” our communities, but as brothers and sisters whose sufferings we share in our efforts to alleviate their difficulties, restore their lost dignity, and ensure their social inclusion.^[2]  We pray to the Lord.
6. That those who, like Judas, hold the purse of the Church and speak out for the poor but take from that purse for their own benefit will see the face of Jesus in the poorest of the poor and lift them up.^[3]  We pray to the Lord.
7. That we may not be those who merely point to the poor and try to count them, although they are uncountable, but instead may embrace those in our midst who are poor in body, mind, or spirit.^[4]  We pray to the Lord.
8. That those suffering from starvation, loss of freedom, and marginalization in Yemen, Myanmar, Belarus, China, and the myriad countries where refugees take flight from these forms of poverty will receive the support of all Christian people in acknowledgement of the importance of universal fraternity.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That the divisions and anger in society caused by covid will be healed through responsible, collaborative action to control this pandemic and protect the vulnerable and all of humanity from its ravages.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That Fr. Christopher may be strong in faith even as he endures the restrictions on his ministry and the difficulties with his own health and of his loved ones.  We pray to the Lord.
11. That those receiving devastating diagnoses of illness and their families will remain hopeful, will know the Lord’s presence, and will not be disturbed.  We pray to the Lord. 
12. That as we pray for the souls of the departed this month, we may be grateful for the many good and faithful people we have encountered who have shown us the face of the Father.  We pray to the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we offer these petitions confident that you hear our pleas and answer with your love that sustains us through all the darkened suns and tribulations of our lives.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.   Amen.

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^[1] Stated mission of the USCCB, https://www.usccb.org/

^[2] Based on Item 3, Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Fifth World Day of the Poor.

^[3] Adapted from item 1, Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Fifth World Day of the Poor.

^[4] Adapted from item 9, Message of His Holiness Pope Francis for the Fifth World Day of the Poor.