Prayer for the World, October 11, 2023
No to violence, yes to reconciliation, justice and peace
Introduction
October is Respect Life Month, respect for ALL life created out of love by God. This love of God confers dignity, which means that all life is worthy of respect and care: plants, animals, human beings and all of creation. Respect is a way of treating or thinking about something or someone which you value. We recall that this kind of reverence for all Creation is found most beautifully in Native Americans and Indigenous Peoples all over the world as we celebrate Indigenous People’s Day on October 9th each year.
Pope Francis in the beginning of his letter, Laudato Si’, says that “…St. Francis reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.” (#1) And we who share this common home are brothers and sisters, who need to care for each other especially the most vulnerable among us.
We know, however, from the news each day, we human beings, instead of treating one another as sister and brother, too often inflict injustice and pain on each other and on the Earth.
Song: All I Do Today by Jan Novotka, Youtube.com
May all I do today be for the healing of the whole. May all I do today mend our broken world. May all I do today bring blessings on the earth. May all I do today be for the good of all. All I do today.
Reading
Victory Noll Sister Lorraine Masters, in her book, “Blessings of the Four Winds,” writes:
“Native Americans as well as many Asian People can teach us much, for most of them had a spirituality of the Land. Religion for them was Life in all aspects as it is found on the earth. Indigenous People of our country had no written Word of God, but they learned about the Great Mystery (The Creator) from what is called the Book of Creation. … The World Council of Indigenous People declared that, ‘The Earth is the fountain from which we flow. It is our life.’ p. 25
“As we touch the earth we should ask her to forgive our abuse of her, and thank her for absorbing our pain and wrongdoing. … we continually need to learn from the earth its vulnerability, beauty, patience, strength, etc. It teaches us to hold hands through this dance of life with all organisms, animals, plants and people who have lived before, who live now and who will live in years to come.” Mary Anne Flaherty
And yet life and people sense of home and safety is so often threatened. On November 28, 1840 a treaty was signed at the Forks of the Wabash forcing the Miamis to move out of this area. The rest of the tribe—148 people—remained on historic homelands along the Wabash and Mississinewa rivers. (removal 1846)At a Mass marking the 175th anniversary of this tragic removal, Bishop Rhoades said: “At this Mass, we say NO to what happened to the Miami peoples here in Fort Wayne 175 years ago. We say YES to the encounter between peoples and cultures that takes place with mutual respect, justice and love.” Today’s Catholic, October 10, 2021The bishop continued: “We remember the violence, the injustices and the betrayals of the past,” he said. “We pray for healing, peace, reconciliation and justice. … We should never forget the Native Americans who called the land of our diocese their home.” And I might add, we must never forget the Miami People who called the land Victory Noll is located on their home.
Silent Prayer
Intercessions:
“In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the world “creation” has a broader meaning than “nature,” for it has to do with God’s loving plan in which every creature has its own value and significance… a reality illuminated by the love which calls us together into universal communion.” Laudato Si, #76 We are so connected in this communion that what happens to one happens to all. And so we pray, “Loving God, hear us.”
For all Indigenous Peoples, Native Peoples of the world ,that their lands may be protected and their way of life respected.
For the Israelis and Palestinians and Israelis suffering from the war being waged on their people.
For an end to all war and violence.
For the leaders of nations that they may work for peace and justice.
For the Earth ravaged by war, greed and selfishness.
A Prayer to the Creator
Lord, Father of our human family, you created all human beings equal in dignity: pour forth into our hearts a fraternal spirit and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter, dialogue, justice and peace. Move us to create healthier societies and a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.
May our hearts be open to all the peoples and nations of the earth. May we recognize the goodness and beauty what you have sown in us, and forge bonds of unity, common projects, and shared dreams. Amen. (Fratelli Tutti, by Pope Francis)
Silent Prayer
Closing Song
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