17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Readings

Available from the USCCB here.

First Reading 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-128, 129-130

Lord, I love Your commands.

Second Reading Romans 8:28-30

Gospel Matthew 13:44-52

Prayers of the Faithful

• For Pope Francis, Archbishop Jackels, and all ministers of the Church, that they serve with wisdom and a discerning heart, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For all world, national, and local leaders, that they govern the vast and diverse people in their care with wise and understanding minds and hearts, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For each one of us, that we realize the treasure of God’s presence buried in each person we meet, and live our lives in the joy of that knowledge, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For our brothers and sisters suffering from sickness, job loss, and isolation, that they receive the support and resources they need, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For families as they come to understand the “new normal” of their lives,  that they wisely discern what is of lasting value, and that they persevere in seeking it with all their hearts, we pray to the Lord. Lord, hear our prayer.
• For June & Kenneth Palm; Gina Danner; Honkamp/Wubben Family; Doris Trausch; Ron Larson; Jack O’Neill Family; Mary Makovec; and all who have died, that they receive the great treasure that is theirs in the Kingdom of heaven, 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.