Hospitaller Prayer 23
A New Prophet in the Land
In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and of Our Lady the Virgin Mary. God before and above everything in the world. Amen, Jesus
Opening Prayer
Let us pray. Lord, our founder John became a refreshing new prophet for the poor of Granada when he encouraged them to believe that they could rise above their dejected state. May we like him, help to build the city of God by unblocking the streets, roads and mind-set of the places where we live, to ensure that the poor, the stranger, the disabled and the different have access and are welcomed in.
We ask this our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen
First Reading
A reading adapted from The Life of Saint John of God by Francisco de Castro
John’s first responsibility towards the poor and the sick who resided in his house was to see to their physical needs. However, once they began to regain their strength and their immediate problems were taken care of, he addressed the question of their rehabilitation. He bought silk, wool, flax and hemp at the market and showed them how they could make their own clothes. When some of them demonstrated that they had skills in this area he encouraged them to make items of clothing that they could sell in order to make a living for themselves. Where possible he would support the disabled to do things for themselves and so become less dependent on others.
When John went out to the slopes of the Alhambra in search of wood for the fire and for distribution to the poor, he brought people from the house with him. He taught them how by doing this and other activities they could provide for themselves and so become independent. John used to sit down with his people and speak to them at length about looking after themselves and becoming self-confident. Even to this day there are many who recall John’s advice to them and who found, in his words, the courage they needed to improve their situation in life. He gave them the hope that if they worked hard they could do just as well as anyone else.
As in other matters, John did not lack opponents in this area of his activities. There were those who said that he was making money by forcing the sick and the poor to work for him. But John bore it all patiently and continued his efforts to help the poor and the disabled to be as self-reliant as possible
Reflection (Based on Mark 10:46-52)
“What do you want me to do for you?” asked the carpenter’s son, the new prophet in the land.
“As if it weren’t obvious,” thought the blind Bartimaeus.
But what he said was “I want to see.” Perhaps it is we who don’t want to see, for the Bartimaeus people of this world know what they want. They want to be asked the carpenter’s question, to be given their voice. They want to decide for themselves and not have you and me make up their minds for them.
The Bartimaeus people of this world want to be part of the crowd and not be pushed out to the margins. They want to make their contribution and be made feel that they are welcome.
Blessed are the John-like people of the world, who ask the carpenter’s question. Who don’t make the disabled the passive objects of their well intentioned but misplaced love. But who support their desire to lead independent, normal lives and to take their place among the rest of us.
It is faith in the carpenter’s question that will save us from ourselves; save us from creating of our world a cosy, exclusive club, where only the most able belong.
Blessed are the new prophets in the land, who cry out for a world where everyone is welcome, where everyone can have easy access to the fullness of what is going on.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Intercessions
Let us pray.
We bring to God someone whom we have met or remembered recently and for whom we wish to pray.
Oh Lord hear our prayer, O Lord hear our prayer. When I call, answer me. O Lord hear our prayer, O Lord hear our prayer. Come and listen to me.
We bring to God someone whom we know is hurting at this time and who needs our prayer.
We bring to God a troubled situation in our world.
We bring to God someone we find hard to forgive or to trust.
We bring ourselves to God that we might grow in generosity of spirit, clarity of purpose and warmth of affection.
Our Father who art in heaven
Hallowed be thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven
Give us this day our daily bread
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive those who trespass against us
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us bow our heads and ask for God’s blessing.
May almighty God keep you true to his loving ways in all your dealings with others. Amen.
May he set his word in your heart that you may ask probing, prophetic questions that open the path to new possibilities for yourself and others. Amen.
May you walk in his ways, always knowing how best to enrich life around you, until you enter your heavenly inheritance. Amen.
And may almighty God bless us all, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.