INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Forget the past, Isaiah cries, God is making all things new. How often we hear the prophets proclaim God’s ‘new deed’! Yet just as often, they insist on the need to remember and keep retelling the past.
It’s a fundamental human dilemma, how to own our past while welcoming the call of the future. Whether as individuals, nations or the people of God, we’re constantly engaged in this tug-of-war between what we’ve been and what we could become. Paul tells the Philippians categorically that he sees his past as trash. What matters is letting God recreate him in Christ.
Lent is the season for us to discern what to let go of and what to lay ourselves open to. It’s a precious gift.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
We pray for women in roles of responsibility in the church, that their leadership will testify to the mission we all share as the baptised in Christ.
SAMPLE INTERCESSIONS
These intercessions are offered for selected use at Sunday Mass in the parish alongside those that express local needs and concerns.
PRESIDER
Dear friends, the apostle Paul delighted in knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and being saved through faith in him. Setting our hearts on Christ, let us pray for the world to be made new.
READER
We pray for Pope Francis, that his profound sharing in the suffering of Christ will strengthen his faith and be a sign of hope for the whole human family. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the international community, that tomorrow’s World Health Day will call leaders and nations to work together for a new world order of peace and justice. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the world’s poor and sick and homeless and hungry, that they will not be deprived by heartless autocrats of the humanitarian aid they need to survive. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for Caritas Australia’s partners around the globe, that our support for Project Compassion will help them build better futures for their local communities. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for all Australians who have the right and duty to vote in the upcoming federal election, that they will consider carefully what is best for the common good and the care of the earth. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for pastoral associates, especially those working in rural and remote areas, that they will bring God’s kindness and compassion home to all they serve. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the parents of children with special needs, that they will be surrounded by a loving community and have ready access to supportive services. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the Jewish community preparing to celebrate Passover this coming week (12-20 April), that their faith in God’s saving power will be renewed and deepened. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
We pray for the recently deceased . . . and for those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will know Christ and the power of his resurrection for ever. (Pause for silent prayer) Lord, hear us.
PRESIDER
God of boundless mercy, you never cease to heal us and make us new. Bless us with faith in your loving-kindness and send us forth to show it to the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.