INTRODUCTORY REFLECTION
Among all the hard saying of Jesus – take up your cross daily, hate your father and mother, give everything away to the poor, to name but a few – the command to love one’s enemies is surely one of the most demanding, especially for those who have suffered greatly at the hands of others.
The media confront us constantly with reports of new depravities, new depths of inhumanity. Love and forgiveness appear humanly impossible when evil is extreme.
The angel’s word to Mary – ‘nothing is impossible to God’ – offers a lifeline. But that’s more likely to help when we’ve been making forgiveness our daily habit. Every recital of the Lord’s Prayer dares us to practise forgiveness for those ‘who trespass against us’.
THE WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
For all whose hearts are poisoned wells of bitterness, that by the grace of God they will be healed of hate and become missioners of mercy.
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, in everything he said and did, Jesus showed God’s boundless compassion. Blessed by his mercy, let us pray with generous love for neighbour and stranger alike.
READER
We pray for all deacons of the church in this Year of Jubilee, that through their ministry of word, sacrament and service they will be joyful witnesses of hope in the heart of the world. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for the family of nations, that a new generation of leaders who shun blind ambition, historic rivalry and empire-building will arise and work together for world peace. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for all who have been harmed by others’ hatred and violence, that by the grace of God they will be freed from the dark desire for revenge and show mercy and forgiveness. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for communities traumatised by brutal warfare, especially the peoples of the Middle East, Ukraine, the Congo and Sudan, that their cries of pain and grief will compel leaders to end hostilities and negotiate for peace. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for the staff and volunteers of Non-Government Organisations, that this week’s World NGO Day (27 February) will strengthen their resolve to serve the community and promote the wellbeing of all. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for an end to the world-wide criminal drug trade, that the countless people caught in the remorseless grip of addiction may have the opportunity to reclaim their lives. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for the followers of Islam preparing to observe Ramadan, that their month of fasting (28 February–30 March) and devotion will renew them in faith, holiness and charity. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for gardeners who enrich our lives by their love of nature, that the plants they tend will uplift our spirits with beauty, joy and peace. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord
We pray for those who have died recently . . . . , and those whose anniversary of death occurs around this time, that they will receive the gift of eternal life from the God of all goodness. (Pause) Let us pray to the Lord.
PRESIDER
All-loving God, the well of your mercy never runs dry. Help us draw deeply from it to quench the thirst of all who long for pardon and peace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.