Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, January 30, 2022
We offer our petitions to the Father who formed us knowing that he remains with us to deliver us.
- That in all our actions and interactions, the Church will be images of the patience and kindness of God’s love, shunning jealousy and rudeness, but rejoicing in the truth. We pray to the Lord
- That tensions in Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and among all nations who are tempted to place self-interest above the common good will give way to love that is not inflated, is not quick-tempered, does not brood over injury, but is built on faith and hope. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will discover that the words of the Gospel are made especially for us and that they help us welcome each day with a better, more serene outlook because when those words enter into today’s world, they fill it with God.[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That those who preach will be anointed by the Spirit to give homilies that touch the souls and lives of the people, rouse hearts, and make God’s word come alive and be relevant today.[2] We pray to the Lord.
- That we will be at peace knowing that the Lord knew each of us before we were formed in the womb, confident that he will not leave us to be crushed by any challenges that life offers, sure that he will deliver us over all that fights against us. We pray to the Lord.
- That we will be humble in our interactions with the poor, refugees, and the marginalized recognizing that as the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian were cared for through God’s mercy, he blesses all his creation, including those we might not respect or understand. We pray to the Lord.
- That as we observe Catholic Schools Week, we ask that all teachers may be inspired and enabled by the Holy Spirit to convey to their students that a search for knowledge and truth is a search for God’s presence in all things. We pray to the Lord.
- That in proclaiming our faith in Jesus, we will not be resounding gongs or clashing cymbals, but will be examples of love that bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things and that never fails. We pray to the Lord.
- That Fr. Christopher will be treated with love that is patient and kind and not with jealousy, pomposity, rudeness, and self-interest by those who rejoice in wrongdoing rather than truth. We pray to the Lord.
- That in worshiping God we will set “aside our own pretenses in order to make the Lord alone the center of everything.”[3] We pray to the Lord.
- That during this time of pandemic we may “be closer to the people who experience isolation, sadness, and discouragement”[4] because of illness of body, mind, or spirit. We pray to the Lord.
- That the relatives and friends of those whose lives have been lost due to the volcano and tsunami in Tonga, the wildfire in California, and natural disasters throughout the world will know that the Lord prevails over all trials and delivers all his people. We pray to the Lord.
Heavenly Father, we come to you this day to hear your word and, like those in the Synagogue long ago, to hear the gracious words that come from the mouth of your Son. May we respond to them, not with fury that drives them away from our minds, but with eagerness to share your love with all we meet. We make these prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen.
[1] Based on Angelus reflection of Pope Francis, January 23, 2022. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022/documents/20220123-angelus.html
[2] Based on Angelus reflection of Pope Francis, January 23, 2022. https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022/documents/20220123-angelus.html
[3] Quote from Pope Francis at celebration of Vespers for the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, January 25, 2022.
[4] Quote from Pope Francis’ address to Augustine canonesses, January 24, 2022.
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