Intercessions ~ Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Tuesday is World Day for Justice,/  which is fair mindedness,/ and respect for each human person./ We ask for the spread of justice,/ bringing about a peaceful world./ We pray to the Lord.

Wednesday is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter./ We pray for Pope Francis/ who is Peter's successor,/ asking for him,/ good health,/ safety and blessings upon his world ministry./ We pray to the Lord.

There are twenty-seven million slaves in the world,/ including our own country./ We ask for enlightenment,/ and for people everywhere to enjoy freedom/ and the recognition of their God-given dignity./ We pray to the Lord.

We pray for the many whose lives are disrupted by fires,/ floods,/ storms,/ wars,/ famine and wide-spread disease,/ and strength for those who generously and bravely help./ We pray to the Lord.

We ask for our families and friends all that is good,/ mindful of the ones who are struggling spiritually,/ emotionally,/ financially,/ or in their relationships./ We pray to the Lord.

Lent begins in ten days./ We ask for a Lenten time of human growth,/ following Jesus in his bright rising./ We pray to the Lord.

Grant comfort, healing and strength to those in hospitals,/ nursing homes/ or who are left untended./ For those who are disabled or whose illness is chronic and painful./ We pray to the Lord.

Mother of God Milk-Giver ~ Who Changes Everything

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night and instead of tossing and turning, anxious about "all I have to do tomorrow", think about Jesus being born at night. We've been told that, yes? "And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." Luke 2: 8

Here is a 17th century icon (a blend of Italian and Greek influences) of the Mother of God nursing her Infant. She is called Theotokos Milk-Giver or Theotokos, Nourisher of Life. This title originated in the time of the Monophysite heresy which taught that the human nature of Jesus was absorbed by the divine nature. That an all powerful God would never allow himself to be so degraded by taking on human nature. And to show a resistance to that heresy, the image of Mary nursing the Infant Christ was painted. 

God became one of us and was held in a mother's womb, and needed a breast full of milk, needed to be soothed, comforted, washed and rocked to sleep. And if I get that, really get that, then nothing is ever again the same for me.

In the icon, the Holy Mother and the Child look at us. Mary's expression is pleasant, as if to say to the viewer, "Yes, it's true. God is no mirage, but really here with us in this nursling." And the icon is dark probably from age, incense and candle smoke, but also perhaps indicating the world's dark condition. And Mary's red maphorion is whipped up in a wind gust - the winds of the world's hate and terror? 

The article we can click on here: I'm Pro-Life, and Pro-Refugee, is from Tuesday's OP-ED page of the New York Times (February 7, 2017). It is written by Scott Arbeiter, President of World Relief, and deserves a thoughtful read. Why? Because God came into our death-dealing world truly, in need of a Milk-Giving Mother. And because of that nothing is ever again the same - my whole mind is changed about life.

A Prayer for Our Nation

Beneath your blessing hand, your  Gospel Word,
we pray, O Christ our God,
cure the infection of racism, prejudice and hatred.
Heal the violent heart,  the civil unrest,
distracting and devitalizing the nation
and so much of the world.

Before your icon, O Christ our Light,
we pray for the many who suffer indignities,
preventable poverty and savage death.
That your blessing would restore 
and embolden us to good sense -
heart sense, 
mercy, justice
and peace that all may enjoy.

We pray you, O Lover of Souls,
hear this prayer
 and grant your kind mercies speedily.
Amen


Father Stephen P. Morris