Prayer Service Near the Time of a Political Election by Liturgy Training Publications

PRAYER SERVICE

Near the Time of a Political Election A

Introductory Rites All stand for the entrance procession and opening song.

Opening Song Consider one of the following options:

• “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace” (traditional; various publishers) • “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Schutte (OCP) • “Come to Us” by Tony Alonso (GIA)

Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, F and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All:

Amen.

Presider:

Greeting With hands extended, an ordained minister greets those present:

Presider: All:

The Lord be with you And with your spirit.

With hands joined, a lay minister greets those present:

The Lord reveals his glory to all nations. He is the source of all wisdom, peace, and justice. Blessed be God for ever.

All;

Presider:

Blessed be God for ever.

Prayer Service Near the Time of a Political Election © 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders: 800-933-1800. Written by Rachel Doll O'Mahoney and Anne Y. Koester. Published with ecclesiastical permission. Excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.

Introduction Presider:

We gather tonight [today] to open ourselves to God’s voice and to consider his loving perspective on how we might form our political perspectives and vote. Open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the needs of those around us, we welcome new perspectives by considering God’s voice speaking in our Scriptures, Church teaching, the prayer of this community, and our own consciences. So tonight [today], as we reflect upon our voting decisions, lets us first be mindful of God’s invitation to love, and pause to ask his blessing and guidance.

Opening Prayer An ordained minister offers this prayer with his hands extended whereas a lay minister joins his or her hands.

Presider:

Let us pray:

Pause for a moment of silence.

Ever-present God, since you breathed life into Adam, you have been invested in humankind, and are present and active with us at all times and in all situations. Open our hearts, minds, and actions to use whatever power and agency we have as voters and members of this community to manifest your life in the world. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

All:

Amen.

Presider:

All are seated for the Word of God.

Liturgy of the Word The following readings from LM, 17 may be chosen. The readers should introduce and conclude the readings in the usual way: “A reading from . . . ” and “The word of the Lord.” The assembly responds as usual. Use a musical setting for the psalm that is familiar to your community.

First Reading • Sirach 3:2–5, 12–14

Responsorial Psalm • Psalm 128:1– 2, 3, 4–5

Second Reading • Colossians 3:12–17

Gospel Acclamation and Verse

Gospel

Use a musical setting that is familiar to your community. If during Lent, use the alternate acclamation. All stand for the acclamation. You might use the following verse from Colossians 3:15a, 16a (LM, 102C).

An ordained minister should continue to use the greeting and response from the Missal (“The Lord be with you/And with your spirit”). If a lay minister proclaims the Gospel, the greeting and response are omitted. The Gospel is introduced and concluded as usual: “A reading from the holy Gospel . . . ” and “The Gospel of the Lord.” The assembly responds as usual.

Let the peace of Christ control your hearts; let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.

• Matthew 2:13–15, 19–23 All are seated for the homily or explanation of the reading.

Homily or Explanation of the Reading Preaching Points Based on the set of readings chosen, the preacher might highlight the following points.

• We often think of Jesus as existing outside of time and place. But these readings remind us that

Jesus was born in a particular time and a particular place with particular historical people and events and politics. No one transcends politics. The first reading reminds us that we are born of a particular family with its own dynamics, and we learn ways to move and be in that family. So too we have a responsibility to move and be in our political reality.

• The heart of the social life is the family. Family is our first experience of community. Family, as

we know, also has various forms. Ideally, being part of a family helps prepare us to participate in and contribute to society. We have a right to participate in society, but with this right comes a responsibility to contribute in meaningful ways. We use our God-given gifts in the service of others and we work to further the common good, that which is in the best interests of all people and supports their well-being.

• We depend on our family and the people in our neighborhoods, towns and cities, workplaces,

country, and world, and they depend on us. We are also called to protect human life, honor the dignity of all people, and share our gifts for the betterment of family and the larger community. Like each of us individually, the family too is turned outward, sent to proclaim Christ to the world through their life as a family, their service to others and their work to further the common good.

• Consider preaching upon the seven themes of Catholic social teaching as defined by the United

States Conference of Catholic Bishops:

1. The Life and Dignity of the Human Person 2. Call to Family, Community, and Participation 3. Rights and Responsibilities 4. Option for the Poor and the Vulnerable 5. The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers 6. Solidarity 7. Care for God’s Creation • Catholic social teaching communicates to us the truth that we live in community. We live as

members of our family; of our local, national, and global community; and of the Church. Our call is to participate actively in the communities to which we belong. The goal of our participation at all levels is the common good, and everyone’s flourishing, including the least among us.

Examination of Political Conscience The examination of conscience is modeled on the seven themes of Catholic social teaching as identified by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Consider incorporating music to the experience such as the refrain to the “Penitential Litany” by Michael R. Prendergast and Joseph B. Sullivan (OCP). The accompanist can play softly while the examination of conscience is proclaimed and then lead into the assembly’s response. The presider remains at his or her chair. The reader should read his or her text from where the cantor usually leads music.

Presider:

Tonight [Today] we have gathered to bend our ears to God’s voice and to allow our conscience to be more informed that we may vote. As we consider our own political reality and what kinds of choices we have the agency to make, let us reflect on today’s Scriptures and prayerfully consider this examination of conscience. Please call to mind your own actions and how these principles are reflected in the candidates running for office. Let us kneel. Presider:

The life and dignity of the human person. Reader:

Do our candidates respect the life and dignity of every human person from conception through natural death? Do they recognize the dignity of all people whatever their race, class, age, or abilities? Do they work to protect the dignity of others when it is being threatened? Am I committed to voting for those who protect human life and ensure that every human being is able to live in dignity? Prayer Service Near the Time of a Political Election © 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders: 800-933-1800. Written by Rachel Doll O'Mahoney and Anne Y. Koester. Published with ecclesiastical permission. Excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.

If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

The call to family, community, and participation. Reader:

Am I aware of problems facing my local community and involved in efforts to find solutions? Do I stay informed and make my voice heard when needed? Do the policies, attitudes, and choices of our political candidates strengthen or undermine the institution of the family? Do their policies support the efforts of poor persons and work for change in our neighborhoods and communities? Do their attitudes and interactions empower or disempower others? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

The rights and responsibilities of all people. Reader:

Do I live in material comfort and excess while remaining insensitive to the needs of others whose rights are unfulfilled? Do I urge those in power to implement programs and policies that give priority to the human dignity and rights of all, especially the vulnerable? Do our candidates recognize and respect the economic, social, political, and cultural rights of others? Do our candidates take seriously their responsibility to ensure that the rights of persons in need are realized? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

The option for the poor and the vulnerable. Reader:

Am I disproportionately concerned for my own good at the expense of others? Do I engage in service and advocacy work that protects the dignity of poor and vulnerable persons? Prayer Service Near the Time of a Political Election © 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders: 800-933-1800. Written by Rachel Doll O'Mahoney and Anne Y. Koester. Published with ecclesiastical permission. Excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.

Do our candidates give special attention to the needs of the poor and vulnerable in my community and in the world? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

The dignity of work and the rights of workers. Reader:

As a worker, do I give my employer a fair day’s work for my wages? As an owner, do I treat workers fairly? Do I treat all workers with whom I interact with respect, no matter their position or class? Do my purchasing choices take into account the hands involved in the production of what I buy? When possible, do I buy products produced by workers whose rights and dignity were respected? Do our candidates support the rights of all workers to adequate wages, health insurance, vacation, and sick leave? Do they affirm the right to form or join unions or work associations? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

Solidarity with all of humanity and creation. Reader:

Does the way I spend my time reflect a genuine concern for others? Is solidarity incorporated into my prayer and spirituality? Do I lift up vulnerable people throughout the world in my prayer, or is it reserved for only my personal concerns? Are our candidates attentive only to those of our country or also those across the globe? Do our candidates see all members of the human family as our brothers and sisters? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Presider:

Care for God’s creation. Reader:

Do I live out my responsibility to care for God’s creation? Do I litter? Live wastefully? Use energy too freely? Are there ways I could reduce consumption in my life? Are there ways I could change my daily practices and those of my family, school, workplace, or community to better conserve the earth’s resources for future generations? Do our candidates see care for creation as connected to concern for the poor? Do our candidates implement policies that will protect the earth from overconsumption, waste, and pollution? If music is included, the refrain is sung at this time.

Universal Prayer The community stands for the remainder of the service. The universal prayer may be chanted using a setting that is familiar to your community. In case music was used during the examination of conscience, the accompanist will want to continue to play and transition into this setting.

Presider:

As we consider these questions let us bring our prayers before the Lord. The response is, “Lord, hear us and guide us.” Reader or Cantor:

For Church leaders, that they may share the Gospel so that all citizens may bring a well-formed conscience to all of life’s complex decisions, we pray: For world leaders, that they may sow unity, pursue justice, and consider how policies affect the most poor and marginalized, we pray: For our own nation, that our leaders create policies that uphold the dignity of all people and all of creation, we pray: For the poor, the marginalized, and all who suffer, that policies and programs and political change may alleviate poverty and marginalization and suffering, we pray: For each voter, that, being formed in Christ’s love for the most poor and vulnerable, they may be courageous as they vote, we pray: Prayer Service Near the Time of a Political Election © 2020 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications. All rights reserved. Orders: 800-933-1800. Written by Rachel Doll O'Mahoney and Anne Y. Koester. Published with ecclesiastical permission. Excerpts from the English translation of Book of Blessings © 1987, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation (ICEL); excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, ICEL. All rights reserved.

For all God’s people, that we may be mindful of God’s presence in all of life whatever political realities we face, we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer If it is the custom in your community, the Lord’s Prayer may be chanted.

Presider:

Let us pray in the way that Jesus taught us.

All:

Our Father . . .

After the Lord’s Prayer, an ordained minister offers this prayer with his hands extended whereas a lay minister joins his or her hands.

All:

Amen.

Presider:

Almighty ever-living God, in whose hand lies every human heart and the rights of peoples, look with favor, we pray, on those who govern with authority over us, that throughout the whole world the prosperity of peoples, the assurance of peace, and freedom of religion may through your gift be made secure. Through Christ our Lord.

Concluding Rites Concluding Remarks Presiders should thank the assembly for coming and offer the following information, being careful to update as needed due to COVID-19 safety precautions.

• Inform them about the voting registration process. • Remind them to check the location of their polling places, vote-by-mail options, and

drop-off locations.

• Provide information about the United States Bishops' document Forming Consciences for

Faithful Citizenship.

Greeting An ordained presider extends his hands and greets the people.

Presider:

The Lord be with you.

All:

And with your spirit.

Final Blessing While making the sign of the cross over the people, the ordained minister asks for God’s blessings upon all who have gathered, saying:

All:

Amen.

Presider:

O God, inspire this nation to be a place of home, healing, peace, and justice. Show us how to bring forth your love. Inspire our voting to be a reflection of your will, and my God bless you all, the Father, F, Son, and Holy Spirit.

While making the sign of the cross on himself or herself, the lay minister asks for God’s blessing upon all who have gathered, saying:

All:

Amen.

Presider:

O God, inspire this nation to be a place of home, healing, peace, and justice. Show us how to bring forth your love. Inspire our voting to be a reflection of your will, and my God bless us all, the Father, F, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Dismissal Presider:

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

All:

Thanks be to God.

Closing Song Consider one of the following options:

• “Lift Up Your Hearts” by Roc O'Connor, sj (OCP) • “Go Make a Difference” by Steve Angrisano (OCP) • “Go, Make of All Disciples” (traditional; various publishers) • “Send Down the Fire” by Marty Haugen (GIA)