Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 2nd, 2021

We want to bear good fruit in abundance; we pray that God may nurture us as branches of the true vine, train and prune us where necessary, so that our spiritual harvest may produce rich wine, wine for God’s kingdom.

We see around our world the tragic and expensive consequences of branches cut off from the true vine. We pray for a seeking after the truth and the desire to act rightly and justly in all areas of human society.

We pray for those with whom we are linked by ties of family, friendship or work; we pray for those separated from their loved ones or who are far from their homes.

We long for healing and wholeness for all who suffer in dysfunctional communities; may we be guided to understand how we might be part of their healing.

We know that death cannot separate us from God’s love; with that knowledge we commend to God’s loving care those who have died and all those who miss them.