March 2, 2008 ─ Fourth Sunday of Lent
Introduction and Penitential Rite
Brothers and sisters in Christ, in today’s readings we are presented with the contrast of darkness and light, of blindness and clear-sightedness. We all have blind spots. We all know people who are unable to think clearly, whose actions hurt themselves and others. Let us calm ourselves today and pray to perceive God in our midst and to hear God’s word in our hearts. We begin by confessing our sinfulness and asking for God’s mercy. I confess to almighty God …
Scripture Readings
1 Sam 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a God sees not as humans see, for God looks into our hearts.
Eph 5:8-14 We are to live as children of light.
John 9:1-41 The healing of the man born blind
Prayers of the Faithful
PresiderBrothers and sisters, we are invited to behold the face of God and to intercede for our world. Let us pray.
MinisterFor those who live in the darkness of hatred, vengeance and violence … for the courage to let go of resentment and forgive … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live in the darkness of greed, gluttony and self-indulgence … for the generosity of spirit to let go of excess and give to others … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live in the darkness of doubt, fear and hopelessness … for the grace to trust in God’s promises and be faithful to a community of believers … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live in the darkness of illness, pain and limitation … for the healing of mind, body and spirit and the grace to perceive God’s presence amid their suffering … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live in the darkness of grief, depression and anxiety … for God’s own comfort to those who are mourning the loss of a job, the collapse of a dream, the death of a loved one … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For this parish community … for those preparing to enter the church at Easter … for the continued formation of all who are seeking to know God … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
PresiderO God, you are the light in our darkness. Shine on these faithful people and hear our sincere prayers for your world. Give us the eyes to see your face in each person we meet this day, your will in each task set before us. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
March 9, 2008 ─ Fifth Sunday of Lent
Introduction and Penitential Rite
My friends, today we hear one of the most loved stories in scripture. It begins as the story of a friendship and ends with a miracle. Let us ask God for the grace of open minds and open hearts so that we may listen to this familiar story as if we are hearing it for the first time, as if there is a message for our own lives. First, we prepare by admitting our own failings and asking each other for the prayers we need to live a holier life.I confess …
Scripture Readings
Ezek 37:12-14 I will put my spirit in you that you may live.
Rom 8:8-11 You will be raised through the Spirit of Christ living within you.
John 11:1-45 “Lazarus, come out!”
Prayers of the Faithful
presiderLazarus was called out of the tomb to new life. Let us pray for our world, our neighbor and those who most need our prayers, asking Jesus to call each of us out of darkness to new life with him.
ministerFor those who live with doubt and despair … for the grace to accept the invitation to faith … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those preparing to enter the church at Easter … for a generous welcome from this community and for their continued formation in the faith … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live with violence and the fear of violence … for peace among nations, within neighborhoods and families … for peace in our hearts … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live in poverty … for those without access to nourishing food, clean water, necessary medical attention, adequate shelter, education for their youth and comfort for their old age … … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who live with illness or chronic pain … for the very old and all those whose lives are threatened … for those without visitors or with no one to care for them … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We remember those who have died … (names). For those who are mourning the loss of someone dear to them … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
PresiderGod of all creation, you call us to new life with you, to forsake our tombs of despair and hopelessness for a life of faith, hope and love with you. Hear our prayers and give us all that we need this day to become the holy men and women you intend us to be. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
March 16, 2008 ─ Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion
The Penitential Rite is omitted today, replaced with the Commemoration of the Lord’s Entrance into Jerusalem and the blessing and procession with palms.
Scripture Readings
Matt 21:1-11 Jesus enters Jerusalem and the people greet him waving palm branches.
Isa 50:4-7 The true servant of God did not protect himself from death.
Phil 2:6-11 An early profession of faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus
Matt 26:14-27:66 The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Prayers of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, as we reflect on Our Lord’s passion and death, let us pray for the world and for ourselves, confident that God knows our suffering and hears our prayers.
MinisterFor an end to war … for an end to all that makes war seem acceptable … for the mind of Christ … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For an end to poverty … for an end to greed that makes poverty inevitable … for the mind of Christ … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For an end to the taking of human life … for an end to those ways of thinking that make abortion and capital punishment seem appropriate … for the mind of Christ … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For an end to unnecessary suffering … for a society that encourages a healthy life of every human being … for the mind of Christ … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
For those who have died … (names).And for those who are dying, a peaceful death without fear or regret… for the mind of Christ … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray today for each of us as we enter Holy Week. For those who will be received into the church at Easter. For those of us who struggle with doubt, fear and despair. For those of us confident in our faith. For this community as we enter these holy days together, we pray … give us the mind of Christ. God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
PresiderLoving and merciful God, hear our prayers this day. Give us the mind of your Son, Jesus, so that we may live as members of his body, building up your kingdom in this world. We pray always in Jesus’ name. Amen.
March 20, 2008 ─ Holy Thursday
Introduction and Penitential Rite
My friends, this is the night we remember that Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and told them — and us — to do the same for each other. This is the night Jesus broke bread and shared the cup and gave us the Eucharist. We gather to remember that we are all called to be servants, to nourish ourselves for this work with the holy sacrament of Christ’s body and blood, and in so doing to be the Body of Christ. As members of that one body, let us begin by confessing our failings. I confess …
Prayers of the Faithful
PresiderMy friends, at his last supper, Jesus gave us a mandate for how we are to live our lives as his disciples. This mandate is to serve each other in love. Let us pray tonight for those who serve.
MinisterWe pray for those with responsibilities of leadership: for those whose decisions can make the difference between peace and war, abundance and poverty, health and illness, wholesomeness and vulgarity, comfort and suffering. For those who serve as leaders of society … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who serve the church: for bishops and pastors, missionaries and ministers, chaplains and campus ministers, counselors and confessors. For all who are charged with the care of souls … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who serve the sick: for doctors and nurses, therapists and hospice workers and home-health providers. For all who work to heal the sick, alleviate suffering and comfort the dying … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who serve as educators: for the teachers of young children and older youth; for catechists and theologians; for writers and publishers. For all those who work to enlighten minds and hearts … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who serve, too often without recognition: for those who keep others safe, grow, prepare or serve food, work as accountants, truck drivers, clerks and others tasks that make our lives more comfortable … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who bring beauty to our lives: for musicians and actors, artists and architects, housekeepers and good cooks. For family and good friends … God, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
PresiderLoving God, tonight we remember that your Son, Jesus, came not as a person of power and majesty, but one who served and commanded us to do the same. Hear our prayers this night and guide us to follow the example of Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
March 23, 2008 ─ Easter Sunday
Introduction
My friends, today we proclaim the impossible. One who was executed as a criminal, whose death was witnessed by friend and stranger — this one is alive. We are his witnesses today. So let us proclaim the impossible: Christ is risen. Alleluia!
Penitential Rite
Lord Jesus, you are the Risen Christ, the King of Kings, the Prince of Peace: Lord, have mercy.
Christ Jesus, you are the Word of God, the Promise of Ages, the Savior of the World: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have promised to rise in us and bring us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Scripture Readings
Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Peter said, “We ate with him after he rose from the dead.”
Col 3:1-4 Christ is raised; seek what is above.
1 Cor 5:6b-8 Celebrate the feast with sincerity and truth.
John 20:1-9 They did not understand that he had to rise from the dead.
Prayers of the Faithful
PresiderBrothers and sisters in the Risen Christ, let us join our brothers and sisters everywhere on this day and offer our prayers for this world and all who wait with expectation for new life.
MinisterLet us pray for Easter peace. Let us pray for all those who long for peace, work for peace and live in peace. For peace, we pray …
Let us pray for Easter hope. Let us pray for those who are tempted to despair, for those who work hard for little gain, for those who struggle with depression or anxiety, for those who are afraid. For hope, we pray …
Let us pray for Easter love. Let us pray for those who are lonely, for children without parents, for anyone without a friend, for those who have no one to pray for them. For love, we pray …
Let us pray for Easter comfort. For the sick and the suffering; those in nursing homes and those in prison; those who care for the dying. For comfort, we pray …
Let us pray for Easter joy. For those who are newly received into the church and all those who assisted in their formation. For Christians everywhere, we pray …
Let us pray for those who have died … (names) …and for those who live in fear of death. For Easter peace, hope, love and comfort to all on this joyful day, we pray …
PresiderMerciful and loving God, you revealed the mystery of your love that we might share your life. Hear the prayers of your people on this Easter Day and fill us with faith in your love for us and confidence in your power to provide what we need. We ask this through Jesus, our risen Lord. Amen.
March 30, 2008 ─ Second Sunday of Easter
Introduction
My friends, this Second Sunday of Easter is also called Divine Mercy Sunday. Today we hear about Thomas the doubting apostle who could not believe that Jesus was alive and speaking to him. Today we hear Jesus’ own words to those disciples he loved after he rose from the tomb. What did he say? He said, “Forgive each other. Be merciful.” When we were baptized we agreed to follow Jesus and live as he asked his disciples to live. And so, rejoicing in our merciful God, we remember our baptism and promise again to live as Jesus lived.
We suggest that the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water replace the Penitential Rite and Kyrie during the Easter Season.
Scripture Readings
Acts 2:42-47 Those who believed were together and had all things in common.
1 Peter 1:3-9 Although you have not seen him, you love him.
John 20:19-31 Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed.
Prayers of the Faithful
PresiderOn this Divine Mercy Sunday, let us call on God’s mercy and pray that we may be instruments of mercy for our world, our enemies and our loved ones.
MinisterWe pray for all nations at war and for those enemies of our nation: for mercy, not vengeance; forgiveness, not retaliation; for peace, not war, we pray …
We pray for the church: for unity among Christians, not division; for dialogue, not narrow-mindedness; for love among the disciples of Jesus, notintolerance, we pray …
We pray for those we find difficult to love: for those who have hurt us, those who have wronged us in any way, for our enemies, we pray …
We pray for those who do not love us: for those we have harmed in any way, for those who misjudge us; for those who find us difficult, we pray …
We pray for those who cannot forgive themselves: for those who struggle with scrupulosity, anxiety or shame; for those who will not accept the mercy and forgiveness of God, we pray …
We pray for those who have died … (names) … especially for those who have died alone and with no one to pray for them, we pray …
PresiderMerciful and loving God, you revealed the mystery of your love that we might share your life. Hear the prayers of your people and give us this day and every day the joy of your presence. We ask this through Jesus Christ our risen Lord. Amen.