Prayerful Concerns of Our Parish Community – Second Sunday of Easter
We share these Prayers of the Faithful from the 2nd Sunday of Easter (April 15-16, 2023) with you for your own further reflection this week.
God of all Creation, the prophet Hosea and the Gospel of Matthew tell us that you desire mercy and compassion, not ritual sacrifice. Jesus says he comes in mercy to call those who are in need and struggling. This Sunday in the Easter Octave we call upon your mercy and pray:
That the words and actions of Christian leaders and our actions and words as members of your community of faith we extend compassion and welcome, not judgement, to all our brothers and sisters. We pray to the Lord.
We pray for those in our country and around the world who are endangered by laws and policies that punish or condemn them for who they are: migrants, the sick and struggling, our LGBTQ brothers and sisters and all in peril because of hatred, discrimination, or ignorance, we pray to the Lord.
This Saturday is sometimes called “Tax Day” in our country. Let us remember that a society is measured by how it cares for the least of its members. We pray that people who have power and influence will not use it to avoid contributing their fair share to the well-being of all. We pray to the Lord.
As we draw near to Earth Day, celebrated next Saturday, help us to take seriously the dangers of climate change. Let us remember that our two US Senators hold positions of great influence in the decisions being made about energy and carbon emissions. We pray to the Lord.
For those who are operating Portland’s new Homeless shelter, those who are offering care for recent arrivals at the Expo and all serving the hungry and homeless in our city and State, we pray to the Lord.
For all who have died, may they now know that fullness of the promises of Easter. At this liturgy we especially commend to you:
4:30 PM Jack & Patsy McDonough by their Children, Karen & Steven
7:30 AM The People of the Parish both Living & Deceased
9:30 AM Barbara Goodwin by Her Husband & Family
5:00 PM Joanne S. McHugh by Kathleen O’Connell
We pray to the Lord
Loving God, we present to you these prayers and all the others spoken in silence. Open our hearts so that we may feel the breath and play of your Spirit. Unclench our hands so that we may reach out to one another, and touch and be healed. Open our lips that we may drink in the delight and wonder of life. Open our eyes so that we may see Christ in friend and stranger. Breathe your Spirit into us and touch our lives with the Risen life of Christ. Amen. (from Aotearoa – New Zealand)
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