HOLY COMMUNION--A SPIRITUAL COMMUNITY THAT KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES

There is so much injustice in our communities that confronts us daily, and the violence between rich and poor which persistently plagues us throughout the world.   Evil—manifest pride and greed, no matter the disguise.   How can we bear it, how can we conquer it?

A small but infinitely powerful event happens at each and every Sunday and daily mass.  The joy of Holy Communion instantly unites us with Jesus, in the child refugee from war in the Middle East, or from drug gangs in Central America, the child abused by teacher, priest, parent, or coach; all the men and women hated and shunned from justice and job because of race or class; and certainly the members of our own families, those loved--and those disaffected.  As all these through baptism of desire receive Jesus into their souls in mystical eucharist also, we become one in pain, purpose, and present moment, and the hope of mutual salvation.

In this spiritual community beyond human knowledge, all are welcome—no barriers.  One has only to ask for forgiveness, and take part in the forgiving one another.   Justice will grow out of telling the truth, and if we want the real peace promised by God, we will work for justice, as we pray the prayer Jesus taught us.

One person who prayed that often, and to the hour of his death was Blessed Franz Jagerstatter.  Next week we begin a Novena of Prayer with him, who would not fight Hitler’s wars, for the end of all wars.

{For a short history of Franz' life, a family man's refusal to take part in Hitler's unjust wars, it can be read in my July 29, 2011 web article  or  K of C version of this linked here.}

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Yearly Novena of Prayer, at our Holy Trinity parish Port Huron, MI in 2008—August 1^st to August 9^th, the day of his execution in 1943 by Nazi government, because he would not fight in Hitler’s wars.

The prayer below is prayed at all our parish gatherings and liturgies for these nine days.  We pray for respect for all life.   And we pray Jesus to free us from our mandates that support the disastrous violence of war. 

PRAYER FOR INTERCESSION OF BLESSED FRANZ JAGERSTATTER--FOR THE END OF OUR WARS IN IRAQ, AFGHANISTAN, SYRIA, SUDAN, LIBYA, YEMEN, MEXICAN DRUG WARS, UKRAINE & ALL WARS

Lord Jesus Christ,               

You filled your servant Franz Jägerstätter

with a deep love for you, his family and

all people.

During a time of contempt for God and

humankind you bestowed on him

unerring discernment and integrity.

In faith, he followed his conscience, and

said a decisive NO to the Nazi regime

and unjust war.

Thus he sacrificed his life.

We pray that you may glorify your

servant Franz, so that many people may

be encouraged by him and grow in love

for you and all people.

May his example shine out in our time,

and may you grant all people the

strength to stand up for justice, peace

and human dignity.

For yours is the glory and honor with

the Father and the Holy Spirit now and

forever. Amen.

     (Prayer from the Diocese of Linz, Austria)