Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 16, 2024
On this day we bring our mustard seeds of faith to the Father and ask that they may grow into the largest of plants.
- That the Church will scatter seeds of faith and hope on the lands of the Earth parched by hatred and war knowing not how those seeds will sprout or grow but trusting that the Lord will bring life. We pray to the Lord.
- That those seeking peace will be courageous and walk by faith, not by sight, as they strive to overcome the destruction, hatred, and fear that have infected so many areas of the world. We pray to the Lord.
- That the efforts of those who farm to feed the world will yield plants that sprout and grow, bearing fruit so that the hungry will be nourished; and all may have their fill. We pray to the Lord.
- That a “lasting peace may be achieved where the State of Palestine and the State of Israel can live side by side, breaking down the walls of enmity and hatred.”[1] We pray to the Lord.
- That “Jerusalem [will be cherished] so that it will become the city of fraternal encounter among Christians, Jews, and Muslims, whose status is internationally guaranteed.”1 We pray to the Lord.
- That all fathers may be granted faith, love, patience, hope, and wisdom in their efforts to raise their children and prepare them for joyful lives. We pray to the Lord.
- In thanksgiving for fathers, grandfathers, Godfathers, foster fathers and all who have taken on a fatherly role to inspire us as models of kindness, humor, loving care, and self-sacrifice. We pray to the Lord.
- That the voters in the European elections this weekend will be inspired by the Holy Spirit to select leaders who are able to bring peace, tolerance, and security to their region and to the world. We pray to the Lord.
- That forests decimated by fire or drought will be restored, putting forth majestic branches in which every kind of bird may dwell; and all will delight in the shade of its boughs. We pray to the Lord.
- That those enduring illness or distress will always be courageous, walking by faith and not by sight, aspiring to please the Lord until their time comes to go home to him. We pray to the Lord.
- That those who have died may be replanted in the house of the Lord where they will rebloom in verdant pastures and live for all eternity. We pray to the Lord.
God our Father, we offer our prayers to you knowing that you are the source of life, confident in your watchful care whether we live on lofty mountains or lowly fields. We ask that we may know your will so that our lives may bloom and give you glory. We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Prayer for Peace[2]
Lord God of peace, hear our prayer!
We have tried so many times
and over so many years
to resolve our conflicts by our own powers and by the force of our arms.
How many moments of hostility and darkness have we experienced;
how much blood has been shed;
how many lives have been shattered;
how many hopes have been buried…
But our efforts have been in vain.
Now, Lord, come to our aid!
Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace.
Open our eyes and our hearts,
and give us the courage to say: “Never again war!”;
“With war, everything is lost”.
Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Lord, God of Abraham, God of the Prophets, God of Love,
you created us and you call us to live as brothers and sisters.
Give us the strength daily to be instruments of peace;
enable us to see everyone who crosses our path as our brother or sister.
Make us sensitive to the plea of our citizens
who entreat us to turn our weapons of war into implements of peace,
our trepidation into confident trust,
and our quarreling into forgiveness.
Keep alive within us the flame of hope,
so that with patience and perseverance
we may opt for dialogue and reconciliation.
In this way may peace triumph at last,
and may the words “division”, “hatred” and “war”
be banished from the heart of every man and woman.
Lord, defuse the violence of our tongues and our hands.
Renew our hearts and minds,
so that the word which always brings us together will be “brother”,
and our way of life will always be that of: Shalom, Peace, Salaam!
Amen.
[1] Quotes from Pope Francis at the 10th Anniversary of the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens with the then-leaders of Israel and Palestine. June 8, 2024
[2] Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens. June 8, 2014.
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