Novena for Life: Day Four

God, + come to my assistance.
--Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
--As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

GOSPEL
John 6:47-50
Jesus said to the crowds, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die."

SILENT PRAYER

REFLECTION
People have always wanted to live for ever. They seek the fountain of youth and spend billions of dollars to still look young. Even our ancestors who grumbled in the desert, received bread from heaven so they could live a few more years. But they died, nonetheless. Whoever eats the Bread which is the Body of Christ, however, will live forever. May we eat that bread as food for the journeys God calls us to make through the deserts of this world, that we might arrive in the heavenly Jerusalem to live with him forever.

LITANY
On those who defend life,
--Lord, have mercy.
On those who love the child in the womb,
--Lord, have mercy.
On those who pray for the unborn child,
--Lord, have mercy.
On all who work to change unjust laws,
--Lord, have mercy.
On all who live the Gospel of Life,
--Lord, have mercy.

PRAYER
God our loving Father,
grant wisdom to those who govern us,
compassion and courage
to those who work to defend human life,
and safety and care to every human being.
For you alone who formed us in our mother's wombs,
and who call us home to heaven,
are God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
3211 4th Street NE, Washington DC 20017-1194
Phone 202.541.3070
Copyright 2001 by United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
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