BY: FR. THOMAS A. NAIRN, OFM, PH.D.
Leader: Catholic health care not only strives for physical healing but is a spiritual service and sign pointing to that final healing that will be brought about in the kingdom of God. Let us be attentive to the Word.
REFLECTION ON THE WORD
READING 1 (Revelation 21: 1-3)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. I also saw the holy city, a new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold, God's dwelling is with the human race. He will dwell with them and they will be his people and God himself will always be with them."
(Silence)
READING 2: (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 53)
"The transformation of social relationships that responds to the demand of the Kingdom of God is not fixed within concrete boundaries once and for all. Rather, it is a task entrusted to the Christian community, which is to develop it and carry it out through reflection and practices inspired by the
Gospel. ... This inspiration is given to the community of Christians who are a part of the world and of history, and who are therefore open to dialogue with all people of good will in the common quest for the seeds of truth and freedom sown in the vast field of humanity."
(Silence)
RESPONSE (Adapted from Isaiah 58:6-11)
Leader: Let us respond to the Word along with the Prophet Isaiah.
(Responsive reading by alternate sides)
- This is what we choose: to release those bound unjustly and to untie the thongs of the yoke.
- This is what we choose: to set the oppressed free and to break off every yoke.
- This is what we choose: to share our bread with the hungry and to bring the afflicted and the homeless into our house.
- This is what we choose: to clothe the naked when we see them and not turn our back on our own flesh.
- This is what we choose: to lavish our food on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted.
All: Then our light shall rise in the darkness, and the Lord will be our guide. And we will become like a watered garden, like a flowing spring whose waters never fail.
PRAYER
Leader: The Catholic health care ministry is rooted in our commitment to promote and defend human dignity.
All: Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Leader: The Catholic health care ministry continues the biblical mandate to care for the poor.
All: Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Leader: The Catholic health care ministry seeks to contribute to the common good.
All: Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Leader: The Catholic health care ministry points to that final healing that will be brought about in the kingdom of God.
All: Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Leader: And let us pray as Jesus taught us.
All: 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
Leader: Let us continue our work
in peace.
All: Thanks be to God.
Copyright © 2013 by the Catholic Health Association of the United States
For reprint permission, contact Betty Crosby or call (314) 253-3477.