HOPE FOR THE WORLD
“To protect creation, to protect every man and every woman, to look upon them with tenderness and love, is to open up a horizon of hope, it is to let a shaft of light break through the heavy clouds.”
(Pope Francis, Inaugural Mass, 2013)
CALL TO PRAYER
In the pastoral letter, Renewing the Promise, we are reminded, “The Christ-centered mission of each school, by its very nature, contains a call to service in the greater community. Catholic schools form disciples with a social conscience who put their faith into action. Students and staff help to promote engagement with the local and global community through their many acts of charity and by their witness to social justice and environmental stewardship.” Let us, through our engagement in the world, be a sign of hope for others.
Let us begin with the Sign of the Cross: In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
Jesus, you who called many people into discipleship, help me to respond to the needs of those in the world who could use some help. So often people lose hope, because they feel alone, or feel they are the only ones who care. But, we know that fear is overcome by solidarity, and that by working together as part of a faith community, we can live out the promise you made to your disciples, “As long as you did it to the least of these, you did it to me.” Give us strength to work together in your name, for a better world. Through your Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.Amen.
SCRIPTURE: Matthew9:35-38
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. Glory to you, O Lord.
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom, and curing every disease, and every sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
CLOSING PRAYER
Creator of all things, we live in a world where your wonderful works are being undone by greed, conflict, and apathy. Through your Holy Spirit, animate and inspire us to be a part of the restoration of the world, so that it can once again become the way you envisioned it; startlingly beautiful, richly bountiful, unimaginably biodiverse, and a common home to be shared by all. By our actions, may we give witness to the connections among justice, peace, and the stewardship of creation. Through your Son and our Lord, Jesus Christ, whose preaching was all about your reign here on earth. Amen.
“In a world marked by poverty, oppression and war, we are commanded to work for justice and peace.”
This Moment of Promise, 1989