CAFOD supporters on a march to call for leaders at COP28 to commit to urgent action on the climate crisis.
Sunday after Ascension
Intention
Today we pray for the grace to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed and marginalised.
Opening prayer
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in them the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
Scripture
“The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free, to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour.” (Luke 4: 18-19)
Reflection
With these words, taken from the prophet Isaiah, Jesus announces his mission in the gospel of Luke. All eyes in his hometown synagogue are fixed upon him, as he declares to those gathered: “This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen.”
As Jesus’ followers, filled with the Spirit of the Lord, we too are called to stand in solidarity with those who are oppressed, the poor and the captive. To join Jesus in dismantling systemic injustices. To witness to God’s love and work for the coming of his Kingdom.
To ponder today
What unjust system or practice can I seek to change in the world?
Prayer
Come Holy Spirit,
blow away division and despair.
Light your flame of courage and hope in us
and warm our hearts with wisdom and love.
Be our Helper, as we seek your ways of justice.
Be our Comforter, as we share your peace with our wounded world.
Be our Advocate, as we call for the fullness of life for all. Amen.
Action
There’s a new debt crisis that is crippling countries across the Global South. Over 3 billion people now live in countries where their governments are having to spend more money on debt interest payments than on health or education.
As record sums of money flow from some of the poorest nations to line the pockets of the world’s biggest banks, we need to take a stand against this injustice. The UK has the power to tackle this by introducing a new Debt Justice Law.