Sunday Prayer - Sunday 15th March 2026

0:00A very good morning to you and welcome to Sunday Prayer here on Claire FM on this 15th of March as we celebrate the fourth Sunday in our season of Lent. Jerry Kenny here with you this morning and our gospel story is taken from St John's gospel this morning. It's the story of the man who was born blind being cured by Jesus. It invites us to open our eyes with the grace of God so that we too may see our pathway through the journey of life following the Lord. The story again like last Sunday's story of the Samaritan is a very personal encounter between Jesus and the person he's engaging with. Jesus touches his

1:04eyes with a paste. His eyes are opened and he sees but the religious leaders of the time are confused and cannot see that this is the work of God and as St John has constructed the story we see that as the blind man begins to see and trust in Jesus as a savior of the world the Pharisees and religious leaders of the time become more blind to the goodness of God at work. Today's readings also contain that marvelous prayer the Lord is my shepherd Sam 22 stroke 23 where we are invited to put our trust in the Lord to guide us on our journey and so we pray may his goodness and mercy follows all the days of our life.

4:19A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John. As Jesus went along he saw a man who had been blind from birth. He spat on the ground made a paste with the spittle put this over the eyes of the blind man and said to him go and wash in the pool of silhouette a name that means sent. So the blind man went off and washed himself and came away with his sight restored. His neighbors and people who earlier had seen him begging said isn't this the man who used to sit and beg. Some said yes it is the same one. Others said no he only looks like him. The man himself said I am the man. They brought the man who had been blind to the Pharisees.

5:26It had been a Sabbath day when Jesus made the paste and opened the man's eyes so when the Pharisees asked him how he had come to see he said he put a paste on my eyes and I washed and I can see. Then some of the Pharisees said this man cannot be from God. He does not keep the Sabbath. Others said how could a sinner produce signs like this and there was disagreement among them. So they spoke to the blind man again. What have you to say about him yourself? Now he has opened your eyes. He is a prophet reply the man. Are you trying to teach us they replied and you was sinner through and through since you were born and they drove him away. Jesus heard they had driven him away and when he found him he said to him do you believe in the soul of man? Sir the man replied tell me who he is so that I may believe in him.

6:27Jesus said you are looking at him he is speaking to you. The man said Lord I believe and worshiped him. And so now we bring our needs before the Father trusting that he will open our eyes to see his glory and our hearts to receive his mercy. We pray for ourselves and the whole human family

7:31that we may open our eyes to the needs of all who are vulnerable and come to see each other through God's eyes as brothers and sisters. Lord hear us. We pray for those who may feel called by God to serve him in his church. May they find the courage and grace to respond with generosity and the spirit of trust. Lord hear us. For all who bear illness and infirmity at this time. We pray especially for those whose vision is impaired. May all our ill feel the closeness of Christ to them in their hour of need and find healing and support. Lord hear us. And we pray for our world at this time. We pray for all who are working for peace and we unite our prayer with the Pope's intentions for

8:35March that nations may move forward towards effective disarmament, particularly new-tier disarmament and that world leaders choose a path of dialogue and diplomacy instead of violence. Lord hear us. And we pray for our deceased. May all who have died in the hope of the resurrection behold the face of God in the eternal light of heaven. Lord hear us. Lord open our eyes. Scatter the darkness of our hearts. Hear the prayers of your people who cry out to you in faith and grant that forever rejoicing in your grace. We may always walk as children of light. We make these prayers through Jesus Christ our Savior, Amen.

9:54Christ be here and die the earth. Christ be on me, on me, stand. Rise with me, where I go Rise around the heartbeat of Rise, be in my heart and wife

11:03Rise with me, my soul and stride Rise, control my way, where I go Rise, the by that petty heart Rise with me, my soul and stride Rise by night, but only way Rise by lantern, night and day Rise with my heart changing then Rise and shepherd to be there

12:15Rise with me, my soul and stride The hymn Christ be new at either hand St. Patrick's breastplate Song thereby the folk choir of Notre Dame Ending our time of prayer here on this Sunday morning And reminding us of the forthcoming feast on Tuesday Of our national patron St. Patrick As we leave you this morning here from Sunday prayer May we wish all of you mothers a very happy Mother's Day And until I chat with you again, this is Father Jerry Kenny Wishing you every peace and blessing in the coming week Slow and despite