Daily Prayers Tuesday, 9 August 2022

Reflections on the current energy crisis, inflation, and economic deprivation near and far

Isaiah 55:1-5

The Compassion of the Lord

¹ “Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
² Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labour for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
³ Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David.
⁴ Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples.
⁵ Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know, and a nation that did not know you shall run to you, because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel, for he has glorified you.

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
^{17 “}We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said.
¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Prayers (Source CAFOD)

Thank you, Lord, for the foods we enjoy. Teach us how to share what we have.
Help us to share.

Thank you, Lord, for showing us how to share.  May we follow your example.
Help us to share.

Thank you, Lord, for sharing your love with everyone. Help us to do the same.
Help us to share.

Thank you, Lord, for the wonder of creation, for the sun, the rain and the earth. We pray that we may share your gifts.
Help us to share.

Closing Prayer (Source: CAFOD)

Generous God we thank you for all your gifts. Help us to think of the needs of others. You show us how to love and share with everyone. We pray that we may truly share what we have, and so help our sisters and brothers throughout the world.
Amen.

Fidele Mutwarasibo
Social Justice Committee