Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – June 28th, 2020

Wherever Christians are ridiculed or persecuted for their faith, we ask for courage and inner strength; wherever we are called to witnesses, we ask for grace to communicate love. Wherever love for the Lord has grown cold we ask him to fan the flames again.

Wherever the human spirit is ground down by oppression, and wherever our silence allows injustice and corruption to flourish, we ask for deeper compassion and commitment; we ask for our kingdoms to become God’s kingdoms, and the desires of his heart to be ours.

Whenever families are struggling to stay together, and wherever there are ongoing arguments and family feuds, we ask for tranquillity and harmony. Wherever children are unwanted and unloved, neglected or in danger, we ask the Lord for his protection and help.

Wherever bodies, minds or spirits are wracked with pain, or too weak or exhausted to pray, we ask the bathing love of God’s presence, and practical caring of hands working in his name. Wherever there are doubts and the battle is strong, we ask for his empowering and clear guidance.

Wherever the dying are anxious and afraid, we ask for peace; wherever the faithful have passed from this life into eternity, we commend them to unchanging and everlasting love of the Father.