December 9 - Monday, 2nd Week of Advent
THE
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Theme: Paradise Restored in Mary
Readings:
First Reading: Gn 3:9-15, 20
Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Gospel Reading: Lk 1:26-38
Greeting
(See Second Reading)
We are called in Christ
to be holy and spotless.
and, like Mary, to live in God's presence.
May we respond to God's call
and may our Lord be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction
by the Celebrant
Mary leads the way for all the people who journey toward the Lord. Today the Church applies to Mary, the virgin conceived without sin, the words of the prophet: "I exult for joy in the Lord, my soul rejoices in my God." Why this joy? Because Mary is like the garden of humankind in which God lets the good seed sprout. Because she is the servant of the Lord and the image of what the Church ought to be. God is faithful to his promises and through her he gave us our Savior. Mary is the first and the only one of all people who was kept from sin. She is paradise restored, where God and people encounter one another.
Penitential
Act
We are not free from sin,
and we share in the responsibility for sin in the world.
Let us seek God's forgiveness
and pray that we may also share
in God's grace and goodness.
(PAUSE)
God loves us with so much love
that he was generous with his mercy:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
When we were dead through sin,
he brought us to life with Christ:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
It is through grace that we have been saved
and raised up with Christ:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
destroy the power of evil in us
and keep your promises.
Make us your children of light
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening
Prayer
Let us pray
that with Mary we may overcome evil
(PAUSE)
God our Father,
we thank you for choosing Mary
as the Mother of your Son
and for preserving her from all sin
from the first moment of her life.
Let this sign of your boundless love
give us hope and strength
to overcome evil in all its forms.
May we respond to your loving goodness
with the eagerness of Mary,
by the power of the grace won for us
through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Scripture Readings
First
Reading Introduction: The Promise of Victory Over
Evil
God condemns the power of evil
symbolized by the serpent. He promises that the forces of good in humankind
and the world will overcome sin.
Yahweh God called the man saying to him, "Where are you?" He said, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid." God said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree I ordered you not to eat?" The man answered, "The woman you put with me gave me fruit from the tree and I ate it." God said to the woman, "What have you done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me and I ate."
Yahweh God said to the serpent, "Since you have done that, be cursed among all the cattle and wild beasts! You will crawl on your belly and eat dust all the days of your life. I will make you enemies, you and the woman, your offspring and her offspring. He will crush your head and you will strike his heel."
The man called his wife by the name of Eve, because she was the mother of all the living.
Second
Reading Introduction: Called
To Be God's Children
Before all ages, we have been destined
to become God's daughters and sons, his holy people, through Christ's
salvation.
Second Reading: Eph 1:3-6, 11-12
Blessed be God, the Father of Christ Jesus our Lord,
who in Christ has blessed us from heaven with every spiritual blessing.
God chose us in Christ before the creation of the world
to be holy and without sin in his presence.
From eternity he destined us in love
to be his adopted sons and daughters through Christ Jesus,
thus fulfilling his free and generous will.
This goal suited him:
that his loving-kindness which he granted us in his Beloved
might finally receive all glory and praise.
By a decree of Him who disposes all things
according to his own plan and decision
we, the Jews, have been chosen and called
and we were awaiting the Messiah,
for the praise of his glory
Gospel
Reading
Introduction: The
Beginning of the Fulfillment
As
the "Favored One of God," Mary is the prophetic model of those
who overcome evil. With her begins the fulfillment of God's promises.
With her, those who are one with Christ will learn to say Yes to God's
plan.
The angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth. He was sent to a young virgin who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the family of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
The angel came to her and said, "Rejoice, full of grace, the Lord is with you." Mary was troubled at these words, wondering what this greeting could mean.
But the angel said, "Do not fear, Mary, for God has looked kindly on you. You shall conceive and bear a son and you shall call him Jesus. He will be great and shall rightly be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the kingdom of David, his ancestor; he will rule over the people of Jacob forever and his reign shall have no end."
Then Mary said to the angel, "How can this be if I am a virgin?" And the angel said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore, the holy child to be born shall be called Son of God. Even your relative Elizabeth is expecting a son in her old age, although she was unable to have a child, and she is now in her sixth month. With God nothing is impossible."
Then Mary said, "I am the handmaid of the Lord, let it be done to me as you have said." And the angel left her.
General
Intercessions
Let
us thank God our Father for giving us his beloved Son Jesus through the
Blessed Virgin Mary. Let us ask that the work of salvation begun in Jesus
and very visible in Mary may continue in us, as we pray: R/
Lord, be with us through your Son.
- For the Church of Jesus Christ, that it may be the sign to all the world that God wants to be near to his people, let us pray:
R/ Lord, be with us through your Son.
- For our world in dire need of peace, that people may understand and love one another and that we may be spared from wars and all violence, from natural calamities, hunger and sin, let us pray:
R/ Lord, be with us through your Son.
- For our Christian families, that they may be united in the Lord; for our young people, that we may give them a future to believe in; for orphans and abandoned children, that we may give them love and security, let us pray:
R/ Lord, be with us through your Son.- For our Christian communities, that they may be centers of hope and joy and protectors of all life; that their faith and spirit of service may bear witness to the presence of Christ, let us pray:
R/ Lord, be with us through your Son.God our Father, Mary did not keep her child, your Son, for herself alone but gave him to the world. Make our faith and love so deep and wide that we too may share Jesus with all people far and near, for he is the Lord of all, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer
over the Gifts
God our Father,
when Mary, the Virgin without sin,
said her YES to your plans,
the world was given its Savior.
Accept our YES in this eucharist
to bring the life and hope of your Son
to all our brothers and sisters.
Let this be the sacrifice that pleases you,
and that makes us grow day after day
in your justice and freedom.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction
to the Eucharistic Prayer
With joy and hope we thank the Father for giving us Mary, and for giving us Jesus through her, to make an ever-new beginning with us.
Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
With Mary we want to do God's will,
that his kingdom may come.
Let us say so to our Father in heaven
in the words of Jesus himself: R/ Our Father...
Deliver
Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day,
for we are powerless to break the chain
of violence and evil.
Make us messengers and instruments
of reconciliation and love
rather than agents of strife and injustice,
as we wait in joyful hope
for the full coming of your Son,
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation
to Communion
This is Jesus our Lord,
the Son of the Virgin Mother;
in him, we have been chosen
to be holy and spotless.
Happy are we to be invited
to share his table. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
Mary heard the Word spoken to her,
in your name by your messenger,
and she put herself at your service.
We have heard here the Word of your Son.
Let this Word stir us
to break the chain of evil
in us and in the world around us
and to replace it with a stream
of goodness and mercy
that wells up to everlasting life.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
To a waiting world Mary gave a Savior,
because she said her YES to God's plan.
To a world waiting in our day
for meaning and hope,
we can give the peace and justice of Christ,
if we too are willing to say our YES
to God's intentions with us and the world.
For he called us to continue the work
he began in Jesus with the cooperation of Mary.
May we respond to this call
with the blessing of almighty God:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace
and give Christ to the world. R/ Thanks be to God.
Christ's birth shows that a human being is a potentially God-like being. Mary of Nazareth was human. She experienced temptation, anger, fear and confusion, as well as moments of immense joy. We can focus too much on the difference between Mary and ourselves, placing her on a pedestal, making her into a plaster doll. Better, we can see her as our sister, an image of what everyone can become. "God has blessed us with all the spiritual blessings of heaven, in Christ." (second reading) "Before the world was made, God chose us, chose us in Christ to be holy and spotless and to live through love in God's presence." Like Mary, we were chosen before we were born. She stands before us as a sign of encouragement: "The God who did great things for me is the same God who lives in you."
December
10 - Tuesday, 2nd Week of Advent
Theme: God the Shepherd
Readings:
Is
40:1-11; Mt 18:12-14
Introduction
The author of Second Isaiah has a beautiful message of joy and hope. God will end the exile of his people and bring them back to him. Their sins are forgiven. He will live among them as their shepherd.
God became visible as the shepherd of his people in Jesus Christ. To him, every person is precious, also the little people and sinners. But also the pilgrimChurch – her leaders, but also all those belonging to the Church, are to be merciful and forgiving, responsible for one another, sinners responsible for their fellow sinners.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
you are near to us
in Jesus Christ your Son.
When we go astray,
you look for us until you find us.
Bring us back to you,
show us the way to you
and to one another
through him who is our way,
Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Scripture Readings
Be comforted, my people,
be strengthened, says your God.
Speak to the heart of Jerusalem, proclaim to her
that her time of bondage is at an end,
that her guilt has been paid for,
that from the hand of Yahweh
she has received double punishment
for all her iniquity.
A voice cries,
"In the wilderness prepare the way for Yahweh.
Make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley will be raised up;
every mountain and hill will be laid low.
The stumbling blocks shall become level
and the rugged places smooth.
The glory of Yahweh will be revealed,
and all mortals together will see it;
for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken."
A voice says, "Cry."
and I say, "What shall I cry?"
"All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty as the flower of the field.
The grass withers, the flower wilts,
when the breath of Yahweh blows upon it.
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will forever stand."
Go up onto the high mountain, messenger of Zion,
lift up your voice with strength,
fear not to cry aloud when you tell Jerusalem
and announce to the cities of Judah:
Here is your God!
Here comes your God with might;
his strong arm rules for him;
his reward is with him,
and here before him is his booty.
Like a shepherd he tends his flock:
he gathers the lambs in his arms,
he carries them in his bosom,
gently leading those that are with young.
Jesus said to his disciples, "What do you think of this? If someone has a hundred sheep and one of them strays, won't he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside, and go to look for the stray one? And I tell you: when he finally finds it, he is more pleased about it than about the ninety-nine that did not get lost. It is the same with your Father in heaven: there they don't want even one of these little ones to be lost."
General Intercessions
– That the Church may be compassionate and patient with people who err, as God is compassionate on us, we pray:
– That we may bring joy and comfort to one another, as God has brought us joy and comfort in Christ, we pray:
– That we may not condemn people who commit mistakes or hurt us, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, merciful Father,
you are always near to us
through your Son Jesus Christ.
In these signs of bread and wine
we celebrate his living presence.
Through him, speak to our hearts,
reassure us that we are precious to you
even as the sinners we are,
and begin with us your new era
of merciful love and joy.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord God, shepherd of people,
in this eucharist you have let us experience
that you want to be close to us
through our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
Help us to be shepherds to one another,
sinners responsible for their fellow sinners,
taking one another as we are,
because you take us as we are,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
We thank God that he still cared for us when we sinned. With him we care also for people who go astray. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
What gives God joy? When someone who was lost is found again. Advent is a season of joy, reminding us of God's total commitment to the role of the faithful shepherd. The first reading says it too: "Like a shepherd he tends his flock: he gathers the lambs in his arms, her carries them in his bosom, gently leading those that are with young." God is like a shepherd, with the tenderness of a caring mother, a gentle father. Everything passes in life: the grass withers; the flower fades. What remains? Love and faithfulness. Jesus asks us: "What do you think of this - leaving the ninety nine to go in search of the one who is lost?" A God like this is worth waiting for.
December 11 - Wednesday, 2nd Week of Advent
Theme: Strength of the Weary
Readings:
Is
40:25-31; Mt 11:28-30
Introduction
The mighty God is near to the weak. This is the message of today. To the exiles, who felt abandoned by God and who saw the power of Babylon and the supposed might of her gods, God tells through the prophet: I am the mighty God. Rely on me and I will make you strong.
Jesus assumes these powers to himself, and he says: Come to me, you little, humble people who are burdened by laws in the name of religion, and I, who have become little and humble with you, will strengthen you and teach you to love; then your burdens will be light.
Opening Prayer
Everlasting, mighty God,
at times we do not know
where you are or where we are going.
When our burdens are heavy to bear,
help us to keep searching for you
and teach us to become humble again,
that we may be open to the strength
which you give us through him,
who became weary with the weary,
Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever.
Scripture Readings
To whom, then, will you liken me
or make me equal? says the Holy One.
Lift up your eyes and see:
who has created all this?
He has ordered them as a starry host
and called them each by name.
So mighty is his power,
so great his strength,
that not one of them is missing.
How can you say, O Jacob,
how can you complain, O Israel,
that your destiny is hidden from me,
that your rights are ignored by Yahweh?
Have you not known, have you not heard
that Yahweh is an everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth?
He does not grow tired or weary,
his knowledge is without limit.
He gives strength to the enfeebled,
he gives vigor to the wearied.
Youth may grow tired and faint,
young men will stumble and fall,
but those who hope in Yahweh
will renew their strength.
They will soar as with eagle's wings;
they will run and not grow weary;
they will walk and never tire.
Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who work hard and who carry heavy burdens and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble of heart; and you will find rest. For my yoke is good and my burden is light."
General Intercessions
– That the Lord may take away from our hearts all pride and harshness, and make us gentle and humble, we pray:
– That we encourage the weak and support them to become courageous in the Lord, we pray:
– That we may help others, friend and foe, by helping them to carry their burdens, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, mighty God,
often we look far away
for you and your strength
and forget that you are near
in your Son and in people.
Strengthen us with the bread of life
of Jesus, your Son among us.
Make us face life with courage,
for you have made it worth to be lived
through the good people around us
and on account of Jesus Christ,
who lives with you and with us for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God of comfort and strength,
you have spoken to us your refreshing word
and renewed our courage
with the body and blood of your Son.
We thank you with all our hearts.
Help us to be in our turn
near to our neighbor in need
and a haven of rest for the weary.
Make us gladly accept your yoke,
which love makes easy to bear,
and lighten one another’s burden
on account of your Son among us,
Jesus Christ our Lord for ever.
Blessing
Weak as we are at times, we learn to carry our burdens when we are aware that the Lord is close to us and that we can always rely on him. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus once said that following him would mean taking up our cross every day. Nevertheless, refreshment is promised if we walk with Jesus. His company will lighten the load. Isaiah promises: "Those who hope in God will renew their strength. They will run and not grow weary; they will walk and never tire." Turning to God in true prayer, being as honest as we can with self and God, renews our strength, like drinking from a mountain stream on a long trek. God is waiting to be the kind and compassionate shepherd we saw in yesterday's gospel. God's fidelity to us is what makes it possible for us to be faithful, too.
December 12 - Thursday, 2nd Week of Advent
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE
MemorialReadings:
Zec 2:14-17; Lk 1:39-45
Introduction
On December 9, 1531, our Lady appeared to a young Indian convert, Juan Diego, in Tepeyac, Mexico, now part of Mexico City. On his cloak she left the impression of her image. This site became the most venerated place of pilgrimage for Latin America. Under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mary was declared the patroness of the Americas. Formerly a secondary patroness of the Philippines, this memorial of Mary has been reintroduced as a celebration for the Philippines because of the former strong links of the Philippine Church with the Mexican Church.
Opening
Prayer
Lord our God,
Like you and your Son Jesus,
Mary cared for the poor and the humble,
to whom she herself belonged.
With the whole people of the Americas
we honor her today and ask you
through the intercession of Mary
to give us a deep respect and concern
for all that is poor and little
and to let us live in your caring hand.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
Scripture Readings
"Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I am about to come, I shall dwell among you," says Yahweh.
"On that day, many nations will join Yahweh and be my people, but my dwelling is among you." The people of Judah will be for Yahweh as his portion in his holy land. He will choose Jerusalem again.
Keep still in Yahweh's presence, for he comes, having risen from his holy dwelling."
Mary then set out for a town in the Hills of Judah. She entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leapt in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with holy spirit, and giving a loud cry, said, "You are most blessed among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! How is it that the mother of my Lord comes to me? The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby within me suddenly leapt for joy. Blessed are you who believed that the Lord's word would come true!"
Prayer
over the Gifts
Lord, lover of all that is little,
we bring before you the humble gifts
of bread, the daily food of many,
and of a little wine, the token of joy.
With these let us join in the sacrifice of Jesus,
whose Mother we honor today
with all the people of the Americas.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer
after Communion
Our loving God,
in this eucharist we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary,
who gave us your Son and Savior.
May we rejoice in the saving love of Jesus
and in the loving care of Mary.
May we be faithful to him
by doing deeds of justice and service
and praising you with songs of joy.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
A Marian theme: for we are celebrating Our Lady of Guadalupe, an indigenous Madonna, mother and sister of the common people. In the first reading, Zechariah proclaims "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion, for I come to dwell among you, says the Lord….Let all humankind be silent before God! For he is awakening and coming from his holy dwelling." Luke's narrative shows us just how unobtrusively God comes. No fanfare. God is at home with lowliness, ordinariness and simplicity. Which means that God is usually far too close to be noticed.
December 13 - Friday, 2nd Week of Advent
Theme: Don't Be Childish
Readings:
Is
48:17-19; Mt 11:16-19
Note: Today is also Feast Day of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr - see also celebrations of saints
Introduction
“If you had only paid attention to what I have said,” complains the Lord through the prophet, for God wants our own good. Jesus complains that there are people who behave in a childish way when John the Baptist preaches repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah: they are like girls who refuse to dance when the flute plays joyful tunes or boys who refuse to mourn when people are weeping. The Lord is among us and asks for commitment so that we can lead the world to life and justice and happiness. What is our faith worth, if we do not practice it?
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
too often we are deaf to your voice
and to the presence of your Son
among us, his people.
Inspire us by your prophets and your Spirit
that now is the right moment to change
and to commit ourselves
to the kind of life and to the justice
demanded by the kingdom.
Help us to make people see
that your Son is alive among us
and that he is our Lord for ever.
Scripture Readings
Thus says Yahweh, your Re-deemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, Yahweh, your God, teach you what is best for you; I lead you in the way that you must go.
Had you paid attention to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
Your descendants would have been like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their names never cut off nor blotted out from my presence.
Jesus said to the crowds, "Now, to what can I compare the people of this day? They are like children sitting in the marketplace, about whom their companions complain: 'We played the flute for you but you would not dance. We sang a funeral-song but you would not cry!'
For John came fasting and people said: 'He is possessed.' Then the Son of Man came, he ate and drank, and people said: 'Look at this man! A glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet the outcome will prove Wisdom to be right."
General Intercessions
– Lord, make us attentive to the voice of your Holy Spirit, that we may not let the right moment pass when he inspires us to do the works of justice and love, we pray:
– Make us listen to people who contest our laxity and materialism, we pray:
– Guide our political leaders to follow the voice of their conscience for the good of our people, rather than seek gain and political power, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
we bring before you
these gifts of bread and wine
and join your Son Jesus Christ
at the table he sets for us.
Give us the determination and strength
to bring his message and his life
to the people around us.
Help us to give ourselves with him
wholeheartedly and without hesitation,
for he is our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
now that we have eaten the bread of your Son,
help us to do now the good
we have postponed so long.
Make us just and fair to everyone,
to respect the poor and the little ones,
to visit the sick
and to feed the hungry.
Lord, we are waiting for you
but do not let us make you wait for us,
for we want to follow your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
Fickle children who pay no attention to what is good for them: that is what we should not be. May the Lord dispose us to do what is right and good always, even when it is inconvenient. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus wept over Jerusalem, for falling to recognize the way to peace when it was offered. Something similar is happening here: John the Baptist lived a radically poor life in the desert and was condemned as too fanatical; Jesus ate and drank with society's outcasts, and people rejected him too: "What can you expect from a man with friends like that!" Todays first reading laments: "Had you paid attention to my commandments, your peace would have been like a river, your righteousness like the waves of the sea." Isaiah's words echo the frustration of Jesus in his longing to open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf. We are those blind and deaf… we are always in need of healing and liberation. Advent offers it by suggesting: God is near, but perhaps not always where I expect or where I am looking.
December 14 - Saturday, 2nd Week of Advent
Theme: Prophets of Fire
Readings:
Sir 48:1-4, 9-11; Mt 17:10-13
Note: Today is also Feast St. John of the Cross - see also celebrations of saints
Introduction
In the Old Testament the prophet Elijah is the “prophet of fire,” a fiery, zealous personality who makes fire come down on the enemies of God. He wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept God.
In the New Testament the “prophet of fire”, the new Elijah, was John the Baptist. Full of zeal, he wanted to prepare the hearts of the people to accept Jesus as the saving Messiah. Who is calling us to conversion today and opening our hearts to make Christ alive in us? It is the Spirit of fire, who wants us to do with great zeal and love the work of Christ to bring the love and peace and justice of God in today’s world. Do we let the Spirit kindle that fire in us?
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
let us never become indifferent
to the ardent message
which your Son speaks to us in the gospel
When we have become inattentive and uninvolved,
send us again prophets to wake us up
and to make us attentive again
to make your kingdom among us a reality
of love of you and of people,
of justice and serving love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Scripture Readings
First Reading: Sir 48:1-4, 9-11
Then came the prophet Elijah like a fire, his words a burning torch.
He brought a famine on the people and in his zealous love had them reduced in number.
Speaking in the name of the Lord he closed the heavens, and on three occasions called down fire.
How marvelous you were, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Who could ever boast of being your equal?
You were taken up by a whirlwind of flames in a chariot drawn by fiery horses.
It was written that you should be the one to calm God's anger in the future before it broke out in fury, to turn the hearts of fathers to their sons and to restore the tribes of Jacob.
Happy are those who will see you and those who die in love, for we too shall live.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the Law say that Elijah must come first?" And Jesus answered, "So it is: first comes Elijah to set everything as it has to be. But I tell you, Elijah has already come and they did not recognize him, but treated him as they pleased. And they will also make the Son of Man suffer."
Then the disciples understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist.
General Intercessions
– That God may inspire among us prophets who in season and out of season wake us up from our complacency with ourselves and with the Church and the world of our day, we pray:
– For men and women of integrity and courage, who are voices that speak out against injustice and the disregard of human dignity, we pray:
– For prophets who dare us to be different in God’s ways and to take the pains to be constructive in building up a world of compassion and reconciliation, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Our living and loving God,
bread and wine are the signs for us
how Jesus wanted to bring among us
your goodness and forgiveness,
even when people were not willing to listen
and nailed him to the cross.
Give us your Spirit of fire,
that we may not spare any effort
to bring about the new season
that Jesus came to bring among us:
a time of hope and peace and love.
Let Jesus be our Lord now and for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God of hope and of our future,
we thank you for giving us again Jesus
to strengthen us with his word and his body.
With Jesus among us,
let us not be afraid of committing ourselves
to bring about the new world
for which he laid down his life.
Let him make our love strong and lasting,
and fiery enough to take the risks
of facing contradiction and ridicule
for Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
May there be fire in us, the fire of the Spirit that inspires us to love and to serve without measure, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
This week, the liturgical readings have been full of reminders that Jesus was rejected, not recognized; resisted. The same happened to John the Baptist. Through what happened to John, Jesus learned to be realistic about his own likely fate: "And they will also make the Son of Man suffer." Today's gospel shows that Jesus was not recognized by the very ones who were waiting for him, the teachers of religion, the ones who knew what to expect and who taught others. This is a challenge to us who are waiting and searching for God. God is always coming, but don't look up, don't look far away. Look lower and nearer. God is easy to overlook, easy to walk over.
Taken
from Liturgy
Alive for Weekdays
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