Bread for the World-A Time Of Commitment

Bread for the World Sunday is an opportunity for churches and individuals to renew their commitment to help end world hunger and join others in remembering those who live in hunger and poverty.

A Widow and A Judge (Luke 18: 1-5)
Jesus told his disciples a story about how they should keep on praying and never give up. In a town there was a judge who didn’t fear God or care about people. In that same town there was a widow who kept going to the judge and saying, “Make sure that I get fair treatment in court.” For a while the judge refused to do anything. Finally, he said to himself, “Even though I don’t fear God or care about people, I will help this widow because she keeps on bothering me. If I don’t help her, she will wear me out.”
May the lifting of our words, hands, and hearts be heard by you, O God.

: Prayer: Moved by God’s grace, we pray for all those who suffer from hunger and want, and we rededicate ourselves to ending hunger. Amen.

A Litany (pause and reflect after each statement)

We believe we are created by a God who calls us this day into a greater awareness of all that we have been given. In gratitude we respond by moving from worship into service.

Help us to be in action-oriented solidarity with all those who hunger, opening our eyes to those who suffer because of our own personal actions and our blindness.

Give the world servants who will guide us to unravel the web of intertwined social, historical, and economic factors that are unfair and lead to poverty in our nation, and in the world today.

: Prayer: O God, you have given us the inheritance of new life in Jesus Christ. May your grace move us to assure that the abundance of your creation is used to overcome hunger and poverty in our world. Amen.

Help us to heal our wounded Mother Earth, that she may be restored to the fullness of her fertility, providing food which reflects the abundance of your love.

Give us each the imagination, desire, and courage to not be discouraged by the many obstacles that seem to obstruct our call to care for the poor and most vulnerable.

: Prayer: O God, our provider, you nourish us with holy food and drink, and you open our hearts to the needs of others. Refresh us with your Spirit, so we might proclaim your loving kindness and share your abundance with all in need. Amen.

With a spirit of justice, help us to recognize that being Christian is to opt for the preferential treatment of the poor.

With a spirit of self-sacrifice, lead us to a love for all people that generates charity and justice.

With a spirit of equality, help us to disregard the distinctions between persons our world so easily sets up.

With a spirit of compassion, lead us to recognize that the hunger of the poor is our hunger too.

With a spirit of courage, help us to liberate our world, so it will realize the glory for which it was created.

: Prayer: We believe that God is with us and that we are not alone in our care for all people. In God we have a hand to grasp, a love to embrace, a truth to cling to, and a power to sustain us. May the God of love strengthen us in our love for others; may Jesus Christ, who is the true bread for heaven, grant us grace to speak out for those who have no voice; may the Spirit, who dwells in us, empower us to go out into the world to work for change, bringing God’s justice and hope to all. Amen.

 

This litany was prepared by Father Ron Rolheiser, president of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX. www.ronrolheiser,com

 

 Poor countries need help to move into the 21st century. They can’t develop and simultaneously make the transition to clean energy without help from rich countries. Energy is needed to power pumps for wells that will bring water to irrigate fields.

 

 

 

 

Bread for the World members bring 200 meals to the homeless in New Orleans.

 

Bread for the World Sunday is normally observed on Sunday, October 17th. However, it may be observed on a different date if more convenient. The important thing is to join others in committing oneself to pray for and take action to end world hunger.