Meditation Minute - Novena for Pope Benedict

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Matthew 5:43-48

 

Jesus said to his disciples: "You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect."

 

Have you ever felt that overwhelming need for love? You just wanted to be hugged? Nothing says love and comfort like a good hug. I think right now, Pope Benedict XVI is in need of a hug from all of us.  It is time for us to send out our appreciation for all he has done and all the enemies he has reached out to in the name of Jesus Christ.  When I read John 17:6-19, the priestly prayer from Jesus to his Father in Heaven, I see Pope Benedict in his words.  Please continue to pray for Benedict and the church.

 

Lord, source of eternal life and truth, give to your shepherd, Benedict, a spirit of courage and right judgment, a spirit of knowledge and love. By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care, may he, as successor to the Apostle Peter and Vicar of Christ, build your Church into a sacrament of unity, love and peace for all the world.

Amen.

V/ Let us pray for Benedict, the Pope.
R/ May the Lord preserve him, give him a long life, make him blessed upon the earth, and not hand him over to the power of his enemies.
V/ May your hand be upon your holy servant.
R/ And upon your son, whom you have anointed.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…
Glory Be

 

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Father God, you gave us Mary as the purist example of love. 

May I live my life as she lived hers.

Open my heart so that the love of Mary can flow out into the world.

 

Pray to the Blessed Mother that she may intercede in your life.  It is Mary’s motherness that brings compassion to us. Mary is our Holy mother who looks over us. Say a Hail Mary for peace in the world. Let us seek the light of God’s glory, let us give praise to his name.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon