Prayer
Vigil for Accountability
“ Our Catholic Church nationwide is beset by more problems
than have been seen in many years. Join us in a Prayer
Vigil for Accountability for our Catholic Church
on Palm Sunday evening at (time) at (location).
If
you can’t attend our prayer service, please
read the prayer below, as well as the two readings
listed, sometime this evening. Light a candle in
your window while saying the prayer and the readings
to show solidarity with your fellow Catholics.
Please
wear this purple ribbon to show your solidarity
with Catholics around the country and the world.
Our
first reading is from Mathew 15:27
Through
dialogue, a foreign woman, moves Christ to change
his mind. Her faith opens his heart and mind. Because
of her, Christ sees his mission in entirely new
terms.
Jesus
left that place and went away to the district
of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman
from that region came out and started shouting, “Have
mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter
is tormented by a demon.” But he did not
answer her at all. And his disciples came and
urged him, saying “Send her away, for she
keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I
was sent only to the lost sheep of the house
of Israel” But she came and knelt before
him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He
answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s
food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes,
Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall
from their masters’ table.” Then
Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your
faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And
her daughter was healed instantly.
Our second reading is also from Matthew 7:7
This
passage from Matthew deals with the very nature
of prayer and expectations. It is very important
to note the use of “action” verbs….ask,
search, knock. If you are looking for God’s
wisdom and help you must act.
“Ask,
and it will be given you; search, and you will
find; knock and the door will open. Is there
anyone among you who, if your child asks for
bread, will give a stone? Or if the child asks
for fish, will give a snake? If you then, who
are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven
give good things to those who ask him?
Prayer
for Accountability
Generous
and loving God,
We
are yours. We ask for the strength and wisdom to
move forward, to act humbly and powerfully in building
up your reign in this troubled world, in our troubled
Church.
We
understand and accept our mission as the Body of
Christ. Help us to live it out. At baptism we were
joined with Christ, anointed as Priest, Prophet
and King.
We
accept the responsibility of being church. We understand
that with this responsibility comes the need for
us to all work together to understand the workings
of our church and to never put the institution
before God’s children. Help us create an
environment where all of us in our Church are accountable
to each other, where our communication is open
and honest and all issues are a shared responsibility.
Fortify
us for the work of protecting all children and
the renewal of your church. It is your Light we
seek; the Light that brings healing, dialogue,
and respectful collaboration. May your Holy Spirit
continue to guide us, bring us hope, and keep us
moving forward, grounded in our love and knowledge
of you. May you bless our actions. We ask this,
as we ask all things, in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Let other
Catholics know about this Prayer Vigil for Accountability. Email
your friends a link to
the following web address so they can join us.