November 30, 2025

First Sunday of Advent

For Leo, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May our leaders wake up to the coming of Christ Jesus amid the chaos and violence among nations. May hope be our guide as we stay awake to the needs of all people.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who live in despair and fear. May we throw off works of darkness and put on the armor of light. May Christ Jesus heal our drunkenness, rivalry and jealousy.

We pray to the Lord.

For all believers to wake up to the misfortunes of our world.  May we feed the starving and welcome the immigrant. May we wipe sleep from our eyes and hearts to know God’s redeeming presence.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who wait in Advent for forgiveness among family members. May kindness and gentleness mend our broken relationships. May God heal the broken heart that searches for love.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who remain unemployed and who cannot support their families. May adequate work be the gift for people in need. May we reach out to families who most need us.

We pray to the Lord.

For people suffering pain and disabilities. May God provide healing for those who wait in loneliness and illness. May courage be in the hearts of those who rely on God alone.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who hesitate to believe in Christ Jesus. May Advent rouse within us a new desire for holiness. May we surrender to God even in our weariness and doubt.

We pray to the Lord.

For people ravaged by grief and loss. May families rely on one another in times of death. May hope become food for our souls as we journey toward Christmas.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead. May Advent instill within us a deeper joy in Christ Jesus. May we long for God’s healing presence as we pray and remember our loved ones.

We pray to the Lord.

I just returned from the premiere of this beautiful story of Brother Columba, CSC. Over 150 people gathered today at 1:30pm to view the film and listen to discussions from the creators of the film.

I am so honored to be part of such an incredible story. I hope you will enjoy this piece and please pass this on to believers who would be interested. Let us all pray for the process of Brother Columba to be canonized a saint.

May The Sacred Heart of Jesus invite us all into a heartfelt experience of divine love and mercy.

CLICK HERE TO read today’s scriptures

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Level Ground

Zacchaeus created distance from people. Living high above the poor, he collected money to protect himself from poverty. His short stature and shortsightedness kept him from truly viewing others with dignity. He even viewed himself with the same self-sufficient lens until a different viewpoint grew within him. Zacchaeus climbed high into a tree to capture a long view of Jesus’ reputation. Going out on a limb, he encountered Jesus and then came down to earth into a new way of life.  

Luke’s gospel is known for shortening the distance among people. In Luke 6, Jesus teaches the Beatitudes to the crowd on level ground, not on a mountainside as in Matthew’s Gospel. Throughout Luke’s Gospel, Jesus unveils the holy view of people’s faces. Jesus desires to gaze into the eyes of the sinner. His words flow directly into the souls of those who most need to encounter him. In today’s Gospel, Jesus commands Zacchaeus to get out of the tree and to dine with him on the level grounding of a family meal.  

We may be threatened by a heart-to-heart, an eye-to-eye, encounter with Jesus. We may turn shamefacedly away from divine love. We may rely on our guilt for identity and sin for self-protection. On the level ground of the Eucharist, Jesus Christ desires to connect more deeply than our selfish ways. He invites unity on the equal ground of faith so justice, mercy, forgiveness and tenderness may spread across our differences.  

Fr. Ronald Patrick Raab

Fr. Ronald Patrick Raab, CSC serves as religious superior at Holy Cross House, a medical and retirement facility at Notre Dame, Indiana. He is an award-winning author and visual artist. Learn more at ronaldraab.com

My thanks to Liturgical Press for the publication of this article in Give Us This Day.

November 23, 2025

Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

For Leo, our Pope, and ___, our Bishop. May leaders of faith companion all who ache for justice. May hope be born upon our earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For Christian unity. May Christ, our King bring us into harmony and justice. May we live the story of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection together in peace.

We pray to the Lord.  

For all international leaders. May all who govern nations know Christ’s call for concord upon the earth. May respect and human dignity be restored.

We pray to the Lord.

For the well-being of our planet. May we dedicate our lives for the good of the earth. For clean air and water and sufficient food for the starving.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who thirst for mercy. May Christ’s forgiveness and peace become our daily food. May all who live in turmoil and heartache find solace in Christ, our King.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who have been unjustly condemned.  May all people find true freedom and inner peace. May we work diligently for people who survive in our prisons.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who suffer depression and anxiety. May Christ, our King become a source of peace for all who suffer diseases of the mind and soul. May we comfort family members with kindness and all good.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who struggle to make sense out of life. May we surrender to Christ, our King, who calls us into love and fidelity. May our suffering find an end in the redeeming love of Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For our beloved dead and for all who grieve. May the end of our liturgical year help us grieve our loved ones. May our beloved dead be remembered in Christ’s suffering and in his entry into eternal life.

We pray to the Lord.

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November 16, 2025

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Leo, our Pope and ___, our Bishop. May their perseverance in faith provide hope for all humanity and lasting peace upon our earth.

We pray to the Lord.

For people starving for food and shelter. May leaders of nations learn a deep humility from people who need food for their children. May the hungry find comfort and genuine bounty in Christ Jesus.

We pray to the Lord.

For all people who have lost jobs and security. May all people without adequate employment find reassurance and purpose in their search for survival. May they persevere in faith for the welfare of their families.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who face despair and mental anguish. May those who suffer diseases of the mind find true light and courage in faith. May we learn to serve people who most need our advocacy.

We pray to the Lord.

For deep courage in our lives of prayer. May we persevere in our surrender to Christ Jesus. May our common prayer bring hope to us who are saddened by natural disasters, loss and street violence.

We pray to the Lord.

For our children who have been trafficked for sex and work. May our lost children find within themselves deep hope, healing and truth. May our lost family members find true home in our efforts to support them.

We pray to the Lord.

For our relatives and friends who remain addicted to alcohol and drugs. May our loved ones find courage in sobriety. May they persevere in a new life of freedom and healing.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who hold in their body disease and pain. May they be comforted by Christ Jesus and find adequate healthcare for their survival. May Christ ease their pain and fear.

We pray to the Lord.

For people who have gone before us in faith. May our beloved dead find new home in heaven. May Christ Jesus ease our grief and anguish.

We pray to the Lord.

CLICK HERE TO READ today’s scriptures

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