Praying with Pope Francis for Our Common Home

9 Jesus, Calmer of Rough Seas, Worker of Nazareth, you lived in full harmony with creation, and others were amazed: “What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?” (Mt 8:27) . You were not set apart from the world. You were not an enemy to the pleasant things of life. You worked with your hands, in daily contact with the matter of creation, to which you gave form by your cra ftsm anship. Most of your life was dedicated to this task and people asked, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?” (Mk 6:3) . In this way you sanct ifie d human labour and gave it special sig nific ance for our development. Bless our labours and the work of our hands. Help us through th e diffic ulties and challenges of our work. Spur us on to reach out to those without work, with practical help and support, and to stand up for those who are not paid fair wages for fair work. We pray earnestly that we may help create a world that is fairer and more just, where the dignity of fair work may be available to everyone who seeks it. Amen. Based on Pope Francis’, “On Care for Our Common Home,” Laudato Si, paragraph 98 Jesus Who Looks With Love, you invited us to really see the lilies of th e fie ld and the birds of the air. You looked at the restless, rich young man “with love” (Mk 10:21) . You were completely present to everyone and to everything. Form in us an attitude of heart which approaches life with serene attentiveness, capable of being fully present to someone without thinking of what comes next, accepting each moment as a g ift f rom God to be lived to the full. Amen. Based on Pope Francis’, “On Care for Our Common Home,” Laudato Si, paragraph 226 The Gospel of Creation