PRAYER FOR POPE FRANCIS. A Prayer for Pope Francis

LORD, we ask that you watch over Pope Francis and grant him the courage, strength, and healing he needs. Grant wisdom, compassion, and empathy to those caring for him as well as others entrusted to their care. Grant those of us who love your Church, faith in your Healing Heart and unite us in prayer for all those experiencing pain and illness. In Jesus’ Holy Name we pray. Amen!

February 23. SUNDAY 7C. The Marriage Enrichment group with Fr Andrew had been meeting regularly during this month as they had decided to make a special effort to work on their relationships and he invited them to share their stories at the Sunday homily. Many of the couples had been experiencing difficulties in different ways. It had been a job to get the men to come but as they had got to know and trust each other they all valued the support they received.  George shared, “I’ve never quite understood why it is that we hurt the most those we love the most. I have never raised my hand to anyone at work.”  They all thought about this and Teresa commented, “Maybe it has something to do with intimacy not well understood. We are close in so many ways, but this can get under my skin too, no matter how much I pray about it.”  Carmel added, “I hate to think what we were like before this enrichment programme.   Were we enemies?”  Jack concluded, “I have learned that we need to respect each other and give each other space.  As our president said the other day, ‘A woman is not your football!.’”

Reflect, share. Scripture Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.   Luke 6:27-38.   Pope Francis.    Some families break up when spouses engage in mutual recrimination but experience shows that with proper assistance and acts of reconciliation through grace a great percentage of troubled marriages find a solution. To know how to forgive and to feel forgiven is a basic experience in family life.  AL 236 JUBILEE.. We should indeed prepare ourselves consciously and soberly for the moment when our lives will be judged, but we must always do this from the standpoint of hope, the theological virtue that sustains our lives and shields them from groundless fear. The judgement of God, who is love (cf. 1 Jn 4:8.16), will surely be based on love, and in particular on all that we have done or failed to do with regard to those in need. SNC 22.  Prayer and action. Pray for those you love and have wronged. Choose appropriate action.