Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, A, February 5, 2023

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, A, February 5, 2023

We offer our prayers to the Father, asking for grace and courage to be bright lights for the world rather than lamps hidden under bushel baskets so that we might give him glory.    

1. That Pope Francis’ visit to South Sudan may be a light on a lampstand that shines before all so that violence in Africa and in the world may give way to good deeds that are treasured and bring glory to the heavenly Father.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That Ukraine, Myanmar, Mali, Mexico, Sudan, and all nations suffering from invasions, civil unrest, or drug wars may find leaders who will be lights that shine before others revealing paths of peace that glorify God.  We pray to the Lord.  
3. That neighborhoods in the Holy Land and in our own cities plagued by violent attacks will step out of darkness and experience Jesus who is light for a troubled world.  We pray to the Lord.
4. That our human weaknesses, fears, and trembling may not deter us from proclaiming the mystery of God in our lives confident that the Spirit will move those we encounter to faith that does not depend on human wisdom but on the power of God.  We pray to the Lord.
5. That “violence and hatred [may] no longer find room in the heart or on the lips of anyone, since these are inhuman and un-Christian sentiments that arrest development and bring us back to a gloomy past.”^[1] We pray to the Lord.
6. That we will embrace charity in our lives, sharing bread with the hungry, offering shelter to the oppressed and the homeless, clothing those who are naked, not turning our backs on the needs of those in our midst who are suffering.  We pray to the Lord.
7. That when we call upon the Lord, our faith will convince us that he will answer; and that in our cries for help we will hear him say, “Here I am!”  We pray to the Lord.
8. That we will reject false accusations, malicious speech, and the oppression of those who are different so that we will truly proclaim the sacredness of human life in all its stages and manifestations.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That the light shall rise for those who live in the darkness of war and persecution so that their gloom shall become like midday.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That those suffering from debilitating illnesses will not see their lives as tasteless salt not good for anything but will be able to endure their diseases in ways that light the world and show God’s love to those in distress.  We pray to the Lord.
11. That those who have died may enter their heavenly home where there is no darkness as the light shines for all eternity.  We pray to the Lord.

God, our Father, we offer these petitions confident in your love for us and ask that you bring us hope through all that we encounter.  We make these prayers through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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^[1] Remark of Pope Francis on January 31, 2023 in meeting with the president of the DR Congo and other civic leaders.