Readings and Reflection 22nd June
Prayer for Pope Leo XIV
Lord of life, love and hope, we thank you for the election of our new Pope.
Watch over, protect and bless Pope Leo XIV
We pray that, led by the Holy Spirit, his faithful witness will be a beacon of hope in our fragile and often divided world.
May the joy of the Gospel inspire him with compassionate understanding so that, together, we can be peacemakers and life-givers.
May Pope Leo be a good and courageous shepherd, concerned for “the least, the last and the lost” of “every tribe and tongue and people and nation”. Guide him to be a leader after your own heart, which is more loving than we can possibly imagine.
We ask you, Lord, to surround Pope Leo with people of pastoral wisdom as he adjusts to his new role. Fill him with confidence in the power of prayer. Help us to help him.
Amen.
Pope Francis has offered a special prayer for peace in Ukraine.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners!
Lord Jesus, born in the shadows of bombs falling on Kyiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who died in a mother’s arms in a bunker in Kharkiv, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, a 20-year-old sent to the frontlines, have mercy on us!
Lord Jesus, who still behold armed hands in the shadow of your cross, have mercy on us!
Forgive us Lord, if we are not satisfied with the nails with which we crucified Your hands, as we continue to slate our thirst with the blood of those mauled by weapons.
Forgive us, if these have which You created to tend have been transformed into instruments of death.
Forgive us, O Lord, if we continue to kill our brother.
Forgive us, if we continue like Cain to pick up the stones of our fields to kill Abel.
Forgive us, if we continue to justify our cruelty with our labours, if we legitimise the brutality of our actions with our pain.
Forgive us for war, O Lord. Forgive us for war, O Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, we implore You! Hold fast the hand of Cain!
Illumine our consciences; may our will not be done; abandon us not to our own actions. Stop us, O Lord, stop us.
And when you have held back the hand of Cain, care also for him. He is our brother.
O Lord, put a halt to the violence. Stop us, O Lord.
Amen.