Call to prayer:
This election season in the United States has been particularly fraught with political contention as well as the many challenges posed by the Covid-19 virus. As we await the outcome of the election, we pray for peace in this nation and throughout the world.
Pope Francis tells us in Fratelli Tutti that “if we go to the ultimate source of that love which is the very life of the triune God, we encounter in the community of the three divine Persons the origin and perfect model of all life in society.” At this time, let us contemplate that Trinitarian love and let it infuse a commitment to nurture oneness through our thoughts, actions, and political engagement. Let us take a moment, and enter into the deep peace of God.
Opening Song: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
Reading 1:
Pope Francis, Pentecost Sunday Homily, 2020
Let us now focus on ourselves, the Church of today. We can ask ourselves: “What is it that unites us, what is the basis of our unity?” We too have our differences, for example: of opinions, choices, sensibilities. But the temptation is always fiercely to defend our ideas, believing them to be good for everybody and agreeing only with those who think as we do. And that's a bad temptation that divides. But this is a faith created in our own image; it is not what the Spirit wants. We might think that what unite us are our beliefs and our morality. But there is much more: our principle of unity is the Holy Spirit. [The Spirit] reminds us that first of all we are God’s beloved children, all the same, in this, and all different. The Spirit comes to us, in our differences and difficulties, to tell us that we have one Lord—Jesus—and one Father, and that for this reason we are brothers and sisters! Let us begin anew from here; let us look at the Church with the eyes of the Spirit and not as the world does. The world sees us only as on the right or left, with this ideology, with that one; the Spirit sees us as sons and daughters of the Father and brothers and sisters of Jesus. The world sees conservatives and progressives; the Spirit sees children of God. … By loving humbly, serving freely and joyfully, we will offer to the world the true image of God.
Response:
By loving humbly, serving freely and joyfully, we will offer to the world the true image of God.
Reading 2:
Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, 180
Recognizing that all people are our brothers and sisters, and seeking forms of social friendship that include everyone, is not merely utopian. It demands a decisive commitment to devising effective means to this end. Any effort along these lines becomes a noble exercise of charity. For whereas individuals can help others in need, when they join together in initiating social processes of fraternity and justice for all, they enter the ‘field of charity at its most vast, namely political charity.’
Reflection and Sharing:
We invite you to pause and reflect on these passages for a few minutes, holding in your heart a prayer for unity and peace. After a time of silence, feel free to share.
- What words or phrases are drawing you?
- In what ways are you being called to shift your vision so that you see the world “as the Spirit sees?”
- In what ways might you “seek social friendship”?
Intercessions:
The response will be “Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity” (Pope Francis, Pentecost Sunday Homily, 2020).
For the United States during this election season and beyond—may there be peace and justice.
Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity.
For election officials—may they be guided by integrity.
Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity.
For voters—may they be kept safe from harm and free to participate in the fundamental right to vote.
Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity.
For the candidates—may they find the courage to lead or concede with integrity, wisdom, compassion, and justice.
Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity.
For all citizens and leaders—may they embrace the gift of the Triune God and foster peace and justice in their hearts, homes, and public engagement.
Come, Holy Spirit: you are harmony; make us builders of unity.
Closing Prayer:
Pope Francis, “A Prayer to the Creator,” Fratelli Tutti
God of our human family,
you created all human beings equal in dignity:
pour forth into our hearts a communal spirit
and inspire in us a dream of renewed encounter,
dialogue, justice and peace.
Move us to create healthier societies
and a more dignified world,
a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war.
May our hearts be open
to all the peoples and nations of the earth.
May we recognize the goodness and beauty
that you have sown in each of us,
and thus forge bonds of unity, common projects,
and shared dreams. Amen.
