Prayer Request

Today we celebrate grandparents, ancestors, the elderly. We are offered a chance to contemplate the foremothers and forefathers of Jesus, the Word made flesh. There is no basis in scripture to name them, but the Sirach reading praises ancestors in a culture and religion that still had not come to believe in life after death. The psalm highlights David as the ancestor of Jesus, although Matthew’s gospel traces the Davidic line to Joseph. Jesus addresses us in the gospel: “Blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”

Many jumping off points for prayer! Shall you trace all those whose lives have brought you to this life now? Shall you remember all your ancestors in the faith, the saints who have guided you with their wisdom? If you are a grandparent, “be” Jesus’ grandparent and play with him during your prayer time. Thank God for your eyes and ears, their strengths and if you can, even their limits. What will you see and hear today? 

Thank you for our grandparents, and for all the elderly who people our lives. We especially beg your comfort for all those elders who are alone, sick, in refugee camps…