Symphony of prayer and praise
A prayer written for the Year of Prayer.
Pope Francis has reminded us that the upcoming Jubilee year is a time for renewal.
“I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?”
The king forgives his servant, cancels his debt and lets him go free. But the servant is not able to show the same compassion and mercy in his turn to the person who owes him money.
His heart has not been changed by the master’s generosity. He has learned nothing as he relentlessly pursues the debt owed to him.
Every day we have the opportunity to break these cycles. We can choose to remember the mercy that has been shown us and forgive others in our turn. We can allow God’s forgiveness and generosity to transform our hearts.
A Jubilee year falls in 2025. We will be called to reset and renew, to overturn the structures in our society that keep people poor and to build a fairer society where all can flourish.
Pope Francis sets out his desires in a letter, saying: “The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so urgently desire.”
He urges us to “refuse to turn a blind eye to the tragedy of rampant poverty that prevents millions of men, women, young people and children from living in a manner worthy of our human dignity.”
The Pope also calls for a “symphony of prayer” ahead of 2025. Let us add our prayers then to that symphony, that we may look toward a time of new beginnings with hope and with an openness to make changes.
Prayer
God of blessings, may we never forget the mercy that has been shown us. Fill our hearts with your mercy that we in turn may be always merciful and generous to one another. Amen.
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