Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings
First Scripture Reading
Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-8
Second Scripture Reading
James 1: 17-18, 21b-22, 27
Gospel Reading
Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Opening Prayer

Pure and Holy God, Your spark in us transforms us and calls us to be pure like You.  Help us not to get caught up in the externals just to look good and seem pure.  Let Your Word transform us from within so that the darkness and evil we create and cast forth on others is purified.  We need your saving power, Lord, because we are so quick to judge others negatively and name evil outside us.  We apologize for the ways we defile others and Your creation.  We are sorry when our religion is merely external observance and not a wholehearted response, reflected in our actions, rituals and behaviors.  You are so close to us, Holy God, and your presence is the power which guides and transforms us.   Teach us again to be holy and pure, like You!

Beloved St. Therese, as a child of God, you needed a real sign that God was listening to and responding to your prayers.  You adopted the accused and unrepentant murderer Pranzini and prayed for his conversion – and on this day, as he was being executed in 1887, he kissed the cross moments before death.  You knew that was the confirming sign from Jesus that God listens to your prayers.  Stretch our faith to trust God’s merciful response to the needs, hurts and hopes of our lives.

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