The ninth and final day of prayer and readings. On Day Nine, we pray that we all may be committed to building the kingdom of justice, love and peace.
For those who experience isolation and vulnerability in old age
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit. Amen.
Father of orphans and protector of widows
is God in his holy habitation.
God gives the desolate a home to live in;
he leads out the prisoners to prosperity.
Psalm 68
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
“As he taught, he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honour at
banquets! They devour widows’ houses and for the sake of appearances say long prayers. They will receive greater condemnation.”
Mark 12: 38-40
Loving Father
your risen Son sent us out
into the world as ambassadors
for the kingdom of God;
inspire us with your Spirit
of compassion, justice and truth
to declare the Good News
to those who are poor, to work
for the relief, defence and liberation
of all who are trapped
in oppressive circumstances.
We make this our prayer
through Christ our Lord.
Amen
The scribes were among the religious professionals at the time of Jesus. They were highly educated and often well regarded for their observance of the law. What Jesus is highlighting and condemning, however, is their unscrupulous predatory behaviour which would drive people into poverty, especially the most vulnerable in the society such as widows, by benefitting from payments for offerings and services. They are more concerned about how they are seen and regarded by others than their relationship with God. Their ego is in charge, they are the centre of their world. We pray for those in our community who are exploited in vulnerable old age, by those in authority, by landlords, by corporate interests. May we be attentive to the needs of the elderly in our community and seek to understand the ways in which they are sometimes reduced to poverty and insecurity.
Loving Father
your risen Son sent us out
into the world as ambassadors
for the kingdom of God;
inspire us with your Spirit
of compassion, justice and truth
to declare the Good News
to those who are poor, to work
for the relief, defence and liberation
of all who are trapped
in oppressive circumstances.
We make this our prayer
through Christ our Lord.
Amen
“The future of the world depends on this covenant between young and old. Who, if not the young,
Pope Francis, Message for Inaugural World Day of Prayer for Grandparents and Elderly, 2021
can take the dreams of the elderly and make them come true? Yet for this to happen, it is necessary
that we continue to dream. Our dreams of justice, of peace, of solidarity can make it possible for our
young people to have new visions; in this way, together, we can build the future.”
“Saint John Chrysostom’s admonition remains ever timely: ‘If you want to honour the body of
Pope Francis, Message for First World Day of the Poor, 2017
Christ, do not scorn it when it is naked; do not honour the Eucharistic Christ with silk vestments,
and then, leaving the church, neglect the other Christ suffering from cold and nakedness’.”
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