PRAYER FOR PEACE

MESSAGE FROM FR. GRAY

Confronting the fear of war, Christians do not merely have a casual attraction to peace but instead worship Christ, the Prince of Peace, of whom the ancient page of scripture says “he will be peace” (Micah 5:5). But how do we pray for peace in time of distress?

1. Pray, without fear that the Lord will grant us peace, a phrase we must never take for granted at Mass. Do not be afraid to pray this ancient prayer forcefully: “Give peace, O Lord, in our time; for there is no other who fights for us except you, O God.”

2. Specifically, all our weekday Masses at St Mary’s and St Lawrence from February 24 until Ash Wednesday will be the votive Mass for peace, as we make this prayer for peace in our best way of expressing it. Furthermore, the Holy Father Pope Francis has made Ash Wednesday a special day of prayer for Ukraine.

3. Following the famous prayer of St. Francis, I have long believed in the great goodness to be found in repaying meanness with kindness, that where there is hatred, we may sow love; where injury, pardon. If you are especially saddened by current hostilities or the many violent acts that go unnoticed every day, be charitable in whatever way you can, toward whomever you can, as an act of reparation for the sins of the world.

In a special way let us also pray for our servicemen and women. And may Almighty God keep us in His peace.

In Christ,
FR. CHRISTOPHER GRAY, PASTOR