BY: MARY KATHRYN GRANT, PhD
CALL TO PRAYER
LEADER
Creator God, as Spring begins, we remember your faithfulness and love; we give
you thanks for the signs of your presence among us. Grant us grace to enliven
our relationships in mutuality, interdependence, and empowerment of others.
Give us grace to remain faithful as you are faithful.
ALL
May our inner vision be transformed so that we can see more clearly that
the one who has called us will strengthen us, the one whose power now at work
in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
May we be open to the Spirit, to Sofia, that we may discern with hope and
joy and confidence what we are called to be and to become to continue the building
of the reign of God. May we be the ones who in faithfulness and solidarity bring
the loving compassion and mercy of our God to our needy world. Amen.
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Never before have there been more powerful motives for fervor in the service
of God than those inspired by the events now taking place all around us . .
. Shall we fail to answer the call? I trust that every one of you will remain
at [your] post of duty and not be discouraged by the difficulties of our times.
—Basil Anthony Moreau, Circular Letter to the Holy Cross Community,
1848
READING
As Jesus walked along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and noticed Peter and
Andrew, James and his brother John, the Spirit moved him to call them to join
in his earthly ministry. At that moment, Jesus discovered that his ministry,
his work of redemption, was not his alone but was a ministry in community. And
so he called these fishermen and a tax collector, a physician, youths, and women
and men because from the beginning the work of bringing about the reign of God
was the work of a community of persons.
REFLECTION
What sustains my fervor during difficult times?
How am I called to contribute to the creation of this community of committed
persons in my current post of duty?
What obstacles stand in the way of building community among the persons with
whom I serve? Among the trustees with whom I serve?
What can only I bring to this community?
CLOSING PRAYER
Loving and gracious God, we come before you with unlimited confidence in your
love and mercy. Take from us those painful anxieties that separate us from you.
Take from us those impediments to building a community of persons committed
to bringing about your reign. Give us this day and all our days the grace to
be faithful to our call. Amen.
Mary Kathryn Grant, PhD
Ministry Development Resources, Michigan City, IN