Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2023

Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 30, 2023

Although Jesus was not understood as the Christ by those who observed his miracles, he proclaimed that he is the Good Shepherd who calls us to recognize his voice.  May we hear that voice in the answers to the prayers which we offer.    

1. That as Pope Francis visits Hungary in the heart of a Europe “upon which the icy winds of war continue to blow”^[1] he will shepherd God’s people so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.  We pray to the Lord.
2. That factions warring in Sudan, Ukraine, Columbia, and across the African continent may come to understand that “using weapons to resolve conflicts is a sign of weakness and fragility [while] negotiation … and conciliation require courage.”^[2] We pray to the Lord.
3. That we may follow the example of Christ by being patient when we suffer for doing what is good.  We pray to the Lord.
4. That we may be led by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, through the gate and not be attracted by thieves and robbers who come to steal, slaughter, and destroy the life of faith.  We pray to the Lord. 
5. That as we celebrate this 60th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we will recognize our call to become a single family in our common home of creation and be reconciled to live that call as individuals, peoples, communities, and groups of various kinds.^[3]  We pray to the Lord.
6. That our lives may exhibit “vocation” not just as choosing a particular way of life, ministry, or charism of a religious movement or community, but as bearing witness to the truth that one great human family united in love is the purpose for which God created us.^[4]  We pray to the Lord.
7. That each of us will be committed to our parts in the vocational “symphony” that is the Church, “with every vocation united yet distinct, in harmony and joined together in ‘going forth’ to radiate throughout the world the new life of the kingdom of God.”^[5] We pray to the Lord.
8. That children in every nation forced to walk in the dark valleys of violence, manipulation, exploitation, and persecution may know the Lord at their side who gives them courage to grow as people of compassion, goodness, and kindness, able to follow Him all the days of their lives.  We pray to the Lord.
9. That those who are ill may bear their suffering with grace, following in the footsteps of Christ who suffered for all through no fault of his own.  We pray to the Lord.
10. That those who have died violently in wars, executions, or civil unrest may be led beside restful waters where their souls will be refreshed for all eternity.  We pray to the Lord.

God our Father, you sent us your Son to shepherd us throughout our life on Earth.  May we hear his voice in your answer to our prayers, embrace the vocations to which we have been called, and have life abundantly as we do your will.  We make our prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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^[1] Tweet of Pope Francis, April 23, 2023.

^[2] Tweet of Pope Francis, April 24, 2023.

^[3] Based on Message of Pope Francis for the 2022 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, May 8, 2022.

^[4] Based on Message of Pope Francis for the 2022 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, May 8, 2022.

^[5] Based on Message of Pope Francis for the 2023 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, April 30, 2023.