Pope Benedict's Prayer Intentions for June 2011
Submitted by FatherSean on Sat, 06/04/2011 - 09:25.
REFLECTIONS ON POPE BENEDICT XVI'S
MONTHLY INTENTIONS
June 2011
General Intention
Priests. That priests, united to the Heart of Christ, may always be true witnesses to the caring and merciful love of God.
Nine years ago Pope John Paul II instituted the World Day of Prayer for Priests to be celebrated annually on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This year Pope Benedict asks us to pray daily for priests during the entire month of June. As we honor the ultimate sign of God's love in the Sacred Heart, we join together in praying that all priests my have hearts like the Heart of Jesus.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus recalls the merciful love of God made known when the soldier thrust a spear into the side of Jesus as he hung on the cross. Water and blood gushed out, traditionally seen as symbols of baptism and the Eucharist, respectively. This is the birth of the Church. The Mass is the memorial of Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection made present every time a priest celebrates Mass.
Jesus' work of mercy takes away the sins of the world, and his ministry continues through the ministry of priests in the sacrament of Reconciliation.
We need holy priests. Facing what may seem a frightening future, perhaps today we need holy priests more than ever before. Priests can be holy only insofar as their hearts beat in unison with the Heart of Jesus.
After she experienced apparitions of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the 1670's, French Visitation nun St. Margaret Mary recorded the promises the Lord gave her. We know them now as the 12 promises of the Sacred Heart. Among them, there is this promise for priests who are devoted to the Sacred Heart: "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
At the opening of the Year for Priests (2009), the Holy Father said, "Let us ask the Lord to set the heart of every priest afire with the 'pastoral charity' which can make him one in heart and mind with Jesus, the High Priest, and thus to imitate Jesus in complete self-giving."
Reflection:
What qualities do you look for in a priest? How are those qualities present in Jesus?
Reading:
Jeremiah 3:15 I will appoint over you shepherds after my own heart.
Links
Pope Benedict's Homily on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart 2009 and the Opening of the Year for Priests
Pope Benedict's Homily on the Solemnity of theSacred Heart 2010 and the Conclusion of the Yeart for Priests
2002 Letter of Cardinal Claudio Hummes, Prefect of the Congregation of the Clergy on the occasion of the first annual World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests
World Day of Prayer for Priests site
Mission Intention
Missionary Vocations. That
the Holy Spirit may bring forth from our communities many missionaries who are
ready to be fully consecrated to spreading the Kingdom of
God.
For missionaries this month we invoke the Holy Spirit. At the Feast of
Pentecost, June 12, we remember how the Spirit came upon the apostles and the
Blessed Virgin Mary.
At his ascension into heaven, Jesus sent his
disciples into the world to preach the Gospel to all creatures. But he told them
to return first to Jerusalem and pray there nine days (the first novena) for the
gift of the Holy Spirit. Their prayer was answered on that first Pentecost
Sunday.
A conversion took place that day. Apostles who
were afraid to go out in public were suddenly empowered to preach the Good News
of Jesus' resurrection. Since, missionaries of the Gospel in every time and
place have depended on the Holy Spirit to tell the Good News.
We are praying with Pope Benedict and one
another that the Holy Spirit will bring forth from our own communities many
vocations, people who will dedicate themselves to spreading through word and
deed the Gospel of Jesus Christ, announcing the coming of God's Kingdom. This
was Jesus' own first homily. After the temptation in the desert, Jesus went
home to Galilee and "began to preach and say, 'Repent for the kingdom of heaven
is at hand'" (Matthew 3:17). Now he sends his Church into the whole world with
that same message.
What could motivate you to leave your family,
home, culture, and language to witness to Jesus among people who often live in
poverty, fear, and danger? Only one thing: the Holy Spirit who fills your
heart with the love of Jesus.
Reflection:
How can you help your parish create an environment in which your
young people will be open to the call to be missionaries?
Reading:
Matthew 9:35-38 At the
sight of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them.
Links
Pope
Benedict's Message for the 2011
World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Proposing Vocations in the Local
Church"
Pope Benedict's Message for the 2010
World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Witness Awakens Vocations"
Pope Benedict's Message for the 2008
World Day of Prayer for Vocations, "Vocations at the Service of the Church on
Mission".
Prayer of the Month
Jesus, Eternal High Priest, let your love flow into the hearts of your priests
and transform them into living images of you. By your grace, make them true
apostles of your Sacred Heart. Fulfill the promise you made to St. Margaret
Mary: "I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts."
May your Kingdom come to the hearts of all through the ministry of holy
priests! Amen.
- from Apostleship of Prayer, #180
