22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Readings

Available from the USCCB here.

First Reading Jeremiah 20:7-9

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9

My soul is thirsting for You, O Lord my God.

Second Reading Romans 12:1-2

Gospel Matthew 16:21-27

Prayers of the Faithful

• For the leaders of our church and nation, may they seek peace and justice for all humankind. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For those who have been the target of prejudice and hatred, may they feel God’s love through the members of this community. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For those who have fallen into hatred or aggression towards their neighbor, may they see this community as a light showing them the path to love and compassion. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all the communities affected by the devastation of Hurricane Laura, may they experience God’s love through the support and aid of others. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body and those suffering because of the pandemic. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all workers who continue to provide us food, power, healthcare, and all of the necessities of life, that we share our gratitude and continue to treat them with the dignity that is everyone’s due. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For Douglas Roth and his family as they celebrate baptism this weekend. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For the Honkamp/Wubben Family; Myra Welsh; John Schwendinger; and all who have died, that in sharing the cross of Christ they may also share his victory over death. We pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.

Spiritual Communion Prayer

My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.

A Prayer for During the Pandemic

Holy Virgin of Guadalupe,
Queen of the Angels and Mother of the Americas.
We turn to you today as your beloved children.
We ask you to intercede for us with your Son,
as you did at the wedding in Cana.

Pray for us, loving Mother,
and gain for our nation and world,
and for all our families and loved ones,
the protection of your holy angels,
that we may be spared the worst of this illness.

For those already afflicted,
we ask you to obtain the grace of healing and deliverance.
Hear the cries of those who are vulnerable and fearful,
wipe away their tears and help them to trust.

In this time of trial and testing,
teach all of us in the Church to love one another and to be patient and kind.
Help us to bring the peace of Jesus to our land and to our hearts.

We come to you with confidence,
knowing that you truly are our compassionate mother,
health of the sick and cause of our joy.

Shelter us under the mantle of your protection,
keep us in the embrace of your arms,
help us always to know the love of your Son, Jesus. Amen.