Presider: Most Rev. Robert J. McClory, Bishop of Gary
ROSARY
Sorrowful mysteries led by Diocese of Gary pro-life prayer teams
Opening Song
Jesus, Remember Me
Opening Prayer
God of mercy,
We gather to pray for an end to the many acts of violence occurring in our society.
We pray in a special way for all those impacted by the use of the death penalty.
Guide us with your love and compassion, O God, as we strive to be vessels of your mercy and live in a manner that lifts up the dignity of all life.
Help us to live the path of discipleship and faith as we work to end the death penalty and promote a more restorative justice system.
Amen.
First Reading | Luke 23: 33-35
“When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left. [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”] They divided his garments by casting lots. The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said, “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.”
Reflection I
Forgiveness is a vital part of our faith; it is something we are called to do everyday and something we ask of and receive unconditionally from God. While a central role in Jesus’ ministry and our call to discipleship, the forgiveness we receive on the cross can be understood as profoundly unique. What is it that we “know not what [we] do?” What act is so important to our human nature, so inescapable, that Jesus must take the time to intercede for us from the cross? What if, rather than seen as a pardon for our many acts of violence or for the greatest act of violence we committed that day on the cross, Jesus was forgiving us for those times when we do not have the strength to do so? In this act from the cross, Jesus can be seen as forgiving beyond the human capacity. What if God, in that moment, provided forgiveness for the unforgivable?
Victims of grave harm need healing and mercy. Tragedy and loss, violence and harm are things we must not gloss over. Mourning and lament are vital paths that all who experience violence must journey through. In forgiving us — all of us — on the cross, Jesus created space for those who seem beyond the task of forgiveness and of being forgiven. This act allows the spirit to accompany us and feel without blame the fullness of our human emotion. * From the cross, from the point of death, Jesus creates for us a space to both feel and forgive. May we not forget this gift. May we find the space and strength to feel our gravest wounds and yet live with mercy towards all human life.
*Sonia David, MDiv, “Luke 23: 33-34” Lecture, The Paulist Center’s Seven Last Words Ecumencial Service, Boston, MA, April 14, 2017
Second Reading | Matthew 27: 45-46
“From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. At about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ that is, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’
Reflection II
How do we understand God’s silence in times of great suffering? How do we reconcile a God who loves humanity with a God who seemingly allows harm and violence to tear through our society? How do we bear witness to capital punishment's intrinsic disregard for human life and still live in a manner that upholds the dignity of each human person? If we have the courage to remain at the cross with Jesus at this very moment, we may begin to understand what it means to live the Christian life. In Christ’s suffering and death on the cross is revealed a God whose solidarity is willing to bear the suffering of this broken world. *
We, in turn, are also invited to share in that suffering. We are called to do more than just witness, however; we must fulfill the call to live in a way that not only shares in the suffering of our world but takes action to address that suffering. Our merciful acts that lift up the dignity of the human person begin to fill the silence we feel in these grave moments of suffering.
Our lament for all those lives lost by the violence of crime and the use of the death penalty serves as acts of faith, a protest that joins with God as we stand with and for all who suffer in this world. May we have the courage to remain at the cross and be inspired by the abandonment felt by all those, like Jesus, left to die at the hands of the state.
*O. Ernesto Valiente, “Mark 15: 33-34” Lecture, The Paulist Center’s Seven Last Words Ecumencial Service, Boston, MA, April 14, 2
Intercessions
For Pope Francis and those in leadership in the Church, as they work to end a culture of death and promote a culture of life. Give them strength as they work to end all that which threatens the God-given dignity of human life. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
For the lawyers and legal teams who work to save the lives of those on death row. May they be filled with your strength and grace so as to never tire of the fight for the dignity of life. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
For all prison personnel tasked with conducting executions. May they always know your grace and compassion as they are asked to perform these acts of harm. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
For all those impacted by acts of grave harm, especially the family and friends of the victims of Joseph Corcoran. May they and all victims of crime know your healing power and be transformed by your mercy. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
For all those on death row awaiting execution, especially Joseph Corcoran. May they know your unending love and forgiveness as children of God. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
For all of us here today and all those working to end the death penalty in our society. Allow us to be a vessel for your mercy as we work for healing and transformation. We pray, God of mercy, hear our prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Prayer
As we go forward in work for the sanctity of life we ask to be filled with your mercy and grace.
Help us to not grow weary of this task to end the death penalty, but rather to remain steadfast in our mission to spread reconciliation and compassion. Teach us the ways of your grace as we lift up the dignity of human life and break down the walls of hatred and violence.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Closing Song
Jesus, Remember Me