Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

Introduction

Prayer discloses all the riches of God’s goodness to us. God cannot resist us when we turn to him in our misery, in our needs, in our joy, even in our silence when we don’t know what to say. But the reason for his generosity is not so much that we ask him, but that he is good. Others, even a father or a mother, may give because the person who asks insists. God gives because he is good. He is glad to give. He gives with joy. And he gives always more than is asked.

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
you are a generous Father,
who give us what is good for us
simply because you love us.
Give us grateful hearts, Lord,
that we may learn from you
to give and share without calculation
but simply with love and joy,
as Jesus did among us, your Son,
who lives with you and with us for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: Es 14:1, 3-5, 12-14

Seized with anguish in her fear of death, Queen Esther likewise had recourse to the Lord.

Then she prayed to the Lord God of Israel:

My Lord, you who stand alone, come to my help; I am alone and have no help but you. Through my own choice I am endangering my life.

As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forebears that you, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among their ancestors to be your lasting heritage; that you did for them, all that you have promised.

Remember us, Lord; reveal yourself in the time of our calamity. Give me courage, King of gods and master of all power. Make my words persuasive when I face the lion; turn his heart against our enemy, that the latter and his like may be brought to their end.

Save us by your hand; help me who am alone and have none but you, O Lord.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 138:1-2ab, 2cde-3, 7c-8

R/. (3a) Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart,
for you have heard the words of my mouth;
in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise;
I will worship at your holy temple
and give thanks to your name.
R/. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth;
for you have made great above all things
your name and your promise.
When I called, you answered me;
you built up strength within me.
R/. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me.
The Lord will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O Lord, endures forever;
forsake not the work of your hands.
R/. Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Gospel Reading: Mt 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and the door will be opened to him who knocks. Would any of you give a stone to your son when he asks for bread? Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

“So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there you have the Law and the Prophets.”

Commentary

ESTHER fasts and prays on behalf of her people, to save them from death and extinction. And the people fast and pray with her, knowing that she will approach the king, and put her own life on the line by begging for their lives. And we are told how to pray by Jesus. To ask, to knock, to seek and it will be given and opened for us. God gives and knows what we need. We do not always ask wisely or for what is needed when we pray for what we immediately want, especially for ourselves and those close to us. We are to trust that God knows what we need-we have been taught to pray Our Father and to start with those crucial things and we are reminded that we are to pray, obey the Law and the Prophets first, remembering that we are God's people. Our Father, help us to remember all the people of the world, especially those facing death, violence at the hands of others and extinction by starvation and war and may we trust that you will continue to take care of all of us. Amen.

General Intercessions

–   That the Church may play wholeheartedly its role of intercession by making the needs of all people its own, we pray:

–   That the people of God may pray not only when they are in trouble and need but also to express their admiration, praise and joy, we pray:

–   That those who do not know to whom to turn in their miseries may find the Lord in people who are good to them and compassionate, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Good Father in heaven,
give us now the bread of life:
give us your Son Jesus Christ,
May he stay with us
to make us generous givers
who do not put price tags on our gifts.
May we do what he did,
not to give gifts but ourselves,
that people may come to know you
as the loving Father of all,
now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion

God, Father of all,
more loving and good than any mother,
we have no one but you
and your Son among us
to see our needs even before we can voice them .
Hear our prayer, Lord,
for generosity and love,
for openness to you and to everyone,
that we may hear the cries of others
as you hear our prayers
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Our Lord assures us today: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.” May we all be people who trust in prayer, and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.