Introduction

Faith is a leap into the unknown. It is a risk that requires trust in something beyond self. Each one of us entertains doubt on some occasion. We have moments when we feel abandoned, in exile or alone. Today’s Gospel provides a model for what we are to do in times of lonely uncertainty: Take courage, reach out and call to Jesus. Ask for what you need. Speak what is in your heart. The Lord hears and wants to do great things for us.

Penitential Act

• Lord Jesus, you gather the blind and the lame: Lord, have mercy.
• Christ Jesus, you console and guide your people: Christ, have mercy.
• Lord Jesus, bring sight to the blind: Lord have mercy.

Prayer of the Faithful

Presider: Let us pray for the needs of the church, and for our world.

Minister:

• For the church, for all of us, for healing of blindness that cripples our lives, for courage to hear the Lord’s call in every challenge and lost moment, to live each day in the light of his love, we pray:
• For the United States, as the country prepares for mid-term elections, for honest conversations that address complex issues, for citizens who take seriously the responsibility to vote, for commitment among us all to the common good, we pray:
• In this month set aside for respect for all life, for renewed effort to call ourselves and others to a seamless garment of life, to support the woman who faces pregnancy alone, to promote just wages and fair housing, to provide equal education of all children, to treasure the unborn, we pray:
• For our children in this Halloween week, for exploration of imaginations that brings delight, for moderation in consuming sweets, for joy in creating family traditions, we pray:
• For the sick of our community, for those to whom we have promised our prayers, for those who struggle with mental health or addiction, for courage to reach out and ask for help, we pray:
• For those who have died in the past week, and for all of our beloved dead, we pray:

Presider: God of consolation and hope, open our eyes to your presence. Fill us with courage when we feel blinded. Strengthen our faith so we are never silent in the face of fear. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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