BY: SR. MARY HADDAD, RSM, MSW, MBA
LEADER: It is not enough for Catholic health care institutions simply to avoid injustice. They are called to strive for the righteousness of the Gospel. Our call to eradicate disparities in health care and celebrate the diversity among us arises from Catholic social teaching which is rooted in Scripture. Let us open our minds and hearts to receive God's word.
READINGS
READER I (Isaiah 56:6-8)
And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, Loving the name of the Lord and becoming his servants — All who keep the Sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; their holocausts and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: Others will I gather to him besides those already gathered.
READER II (Proverbs 22:2)
Rich and poor have a common bond: the Lord is the maker of them all.
READER I (Acts 2:1-4)
When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.
READER II (1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 18-20, 26)
As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and we were all given to drink of one Spirit. Now the body is not a single part, but many. … But as it is, God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended. If they were all one part, where would the body be? But as it is, there are many parts, yet one body. … If [one] part suffers, all the parts suffer with it; if one part is honored, all the parts share its joy.
Pause for Reflection
PRAYERS OF PETITION
LEADER: We pray for those who suffer from all forms of discrimination, may they find comfort in God's love and care.
RESPONSE: Christ our healer, hear our prayer.
[Repeat response after each prayer.]
LEADER: We pray for women and children who are victims of trafficking, may they find protection and solace in a caring community.
LEADER: We pray for church leaders, those in elected office and all who hold positions of authority that they promote justice and mercy for those whom they serve.
LEADER: We pray for the wisdom and resolve to create a culture of justice and help bring about God's reign in our world today.
CLOSING PRAYER
ALL: As disciples of Jesus, we are sent in mission to proclaim the good news of the reign of God. Loving God, we pray that your spirit will gift us with the courage and imagination to guide our actions and decisions as we strive to create a just world. We ask this in the name of Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
"Prayer Service," a regular department in Health Progress, may be copied without prior permission.