Intercessions ~ Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

We pray for ourselves and those around us at Mass today/ We ask for healing where we are lost in regrets about the past,/ worrying about the future,/ preoccupied with plans/ or distracted by anger./ We pray to the Lord./

We pray to be a Church alive in the Lord's love:/ to be present to others/ in their suffering,/ their wounds,/ their need./ We pray to the Lord.

The Liturgical Year is drawing to its close./ We pray for grateful hearts/ aware of the Lord's mercies in this passing year of grace./ We pray to the Lord.

Our planet suffers from greed and exploitation:/ the forests,/ the water,/ the air,/ the soil,/ the animals and plants./ We ask God earnestly for a new spirit of love and regard for our earth-home./ We pray to the Lord.

Pope Francis will travel soon to Africa,/ which is often a troubled and dangerous place./ We pray for his safety,/ and for the peace and evolution of the African nations./ We pray to the Lord.

Europe has received 218,000 Syrian and Iraqi refugees in the month of October alone./ We pray for all the displaced persons around the world,/ and for the many compassionate and benevolent people who look to help them./ We pray to the Lord.

For the children known to us/ and those we do not know./ For the sick,/ the struggling and stressed,/ the frightened and the lonely./ For those who have died/ to know the love of Christ which forsakes no one./ We pray to the Lord.

How Not To Hate People ~ The Hilandar Mother of God

This is the wonder-working icon of the Mother of God venerated at the Serbian Hilandar Monastery at Mount Athos in Greece. The monastery was founded by Saint Sava in 1198. Today there are about 45 monks living, praying and working there.

She is very beautiful, isn't she, in her morning sky-colors? Perhaps she portends for us the new and personal dawning of non-hate. Hate doesn't necessarily mean, "I want you dead." Hate means strong feelings against or about someone. We should really stop denying that hate ever finds its way into our lives.

Jesus knew our capacity for hate. In fact, Jesus would say that the real problem today is not sexual things, but that there is so much hate. No one is untouched. To understand, we just have to watch some political news, Judge Judy or Dr. Phil or pay more attention to our thoughts throughout the day. But Jesus tells us that landing in hate is not allowed: that we must get free of it as quickly as possible.

So come before the Hilandar Mother of God, who feeds the Holy Child, and who wants us nourished in kindness and compassion. She doesn't look at Jesus, but at each of us. She knows. She understands that humanity is plagued by negativity, prejudice, stewing in resentment, revenge and hate. 

Coming before the icon, mention the names of every person you feel some negativity towards: the crazy-makers, troublemakers, the jealous colleague or relative, the one who disappoints, the invaders and intruders, the ones who are too needy, demanding or who steal away your energies, the show-offs and argue-ers, the whiners. You name it...

And then after each name simply pray: Oh, Hilandar Mother of God, give her what she needs for salvation.  Oh, Hilandar Mother of God, give him what he needs for salvation. Oh, Hilandar Mother of God, give them what they need for salvation.

This is a wonder-working prayer. It has the power to steal away hate and negativity. And like the cold or flu medicine advertised on TV - take this spiritual medicine at the first sign of negative, resentful or hateful feelings. 

Thanks to You, O God ~ Morning Prayer

The conjunction of Mars, Jupiter and Venus in October's morning sky

Thanks to you, O God, in the night-time breathing;

the beating of my heart.

Thanks to you, O God, the icon's nimbus,
like the rising of the sun.

Thanks to you, O God, for the presence of planets;
the angel-world's care.

Thanks to you, O God, in my looking upon the earth;
my feet touching the ground.

Thanks to you, O God, the first thought of Mary's smile;
the blessing-Child in her arms.

Thanks to you, O God, in the receiving of water
and the tasting of food.

Thanks to you, O God, in the lighting of candles
and the kissing of the altar.

Thanks to you, O God, in the little dog's greeting;
the misty walk,
the wet-leaf color.

Thanks to you, O God: the wild stream, the waterfall,
echo of heaven's tune.

The nimbus coming into focus ~ like the sun rising