Come Forth
“Take away the stone”
“Lazarus come forth”
“Unbind him”
“Set him free”
John 11: 1-45
This story of the community of relatives and friends of Lazarus and Jesus calling for new life, reminds us that Jesus is about confronting the culture of death and inviting us into this new life. He came to give sight to the blind, freedom to the captive, liberation to the oppressed, good news to the poor: a Mission of liberation and life.
Many of us today can easily Imagine ourselves, our society, our world calling out for New Life… calling forth, RIGHT NOW, liberation and freedom from what binds us, our society and our world, that we may live and not die.
During this Fifth Week of Lent let us reflect with this Gospel Story of Jesus Raising Lazarus to New Life. Let us respond to the challenge before us NOW… to remove the stones, to come forth and be Disciples for a New World and the Mission of Jesus and bring forth New Life.
May we each, in the circumstances we find ourselves, unbind and set free our society, our world, and bring about freedom and liberation from all that keeps us from living fully this New Life!
Prayer
for
Peace
and
Solidarity
Creator God,
We look to you during this time of illness, uncertainty, and physical distancing from others.
Be with us as we place our anxieties and fears in your hands.
Free us from the illusion of invincibility, so that we might remember our actions affect others, especially the most vulnerable.
Free us from the fear of scarcity, which leads to competition and hoarding.
Free us from painful anxiety, so that it can be transformed into caring actions for ourselves and others.
Be with us as we place our anxieties and fears in your hands.
Free us from the illusion of invincibility, so that we might remember our actions affect others, especially the most vulnerable.
Free us from the fear of scarcity, which leads to competition and hoarding.
Free us from painful anxiety, so that it can be transformed into caring actions for ourselves and others.
Jesus, our brother,
As your ministry of healing brought physical wellness and connection and restored community, help us remember that we are not alone.
As you mourned the death of your friend Lazarus, be with those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
As you mourned the death of your friend Lazarus, be with those who grieve the loss of loved ones.
May they feel your presence and peace.
As you experienced death, be with those who have died from the coronavirus.
May they be in your eternal embrace.
As you challenged your disciples to act for the common good, be with national and local leaders who have the power to ensure that the “least of these” have their basic needs met.
As you experienced death, be with those who have died from the coronavirus.
May they be in your eternal embrace.
As you challenged your disciples to act for the common good, be with national and local leaders who have the power to ensure that the “least of these” have their basic needs met.
Inspire them to have a global vision of solidarity, a consciousness and priority to provide healthcare to all.
Spirit of God, breath of life,
Thank you for the countless nurses, custodial staff, doctors, receptionists, therapists, healthcare providers, and all others who are working to care for those who are sick and suffering. As they live their vocations, may they be sustained by your Spirit.
Open our eyes to see the devastating implications of economic and racial injustice during this crisis. Be with vulnerable populations who are unable to have “social distance” from others, thereby increasing their likelihood of contagion.
Inspire our actions for equitable access to testing, treatment, and financial support for all affected by the coronavirus.
We pray together during this Lenten season and current pandemic, that we can turn away from fear and be faithful to our sacred and civic responsibility for others. AMEN.
- PAX CHRISTI USA
