Greeting
A
Blessed be Jesus… the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
May his grace and peace be always with you.
B
You are a priestly people… a kingly people…
a holy people… God’s chosen people.
The Lord be with you.
Introduction
A
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled’ is the opening phrase of the gospel today. In the midst of our anxieties, we are reminded that God is always with us. Let us once again call to mind his goodness and mercy.
B
We are a people who have been “called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light”. This is the way we are described in today’s second Reading. And so we gather to “sing the praises of God” and give thanks in the name of Jesus. Let us first acknowledge the darkness that is still within us and ask the Lord to take it away.
Litany of Praise
Lord Jesus, you are the WAY to the Father.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the TRUTH.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the LIFE.
Lord, have mercy.
Opening Prayer
A
We behold your glory, O God,
in the face of Christ Jesus your Son.
Enliven our faith,
that through him we may put our trust in you.
Deepen our faith,
that one day we may live with you
in that place which he prepares for us.
Grant this through Jesus Christ,
the firstborn from the dead,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
B
Heavenly Father,
in Christ, you have shown yourself to us,
for he is in you and you are in him.
Grant, that we, God’s living stones,
may be built into a spiritual house,
a royal priesthood,
a holy people,
the temple of your glory.
Grant this through Jesus Christ,
the resurrection and the life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS
P We are a priestly people. Let us exercise our priesthood as we pray that the work of the Father will continue to flourish through the ministry of the Church for the life of the world.
CM Let our response be: Lord, show us the Way
- For the church, the temple built of living stones; (pause) May its life be marked by prayer and service to those in need; we pray:
- For the bishops and priests of our church; ( pause) that they may not forsake the service of the Word by occupying themselves in ministries that can be done by others; we pray:
- For this assembly of God’s holy people: (pause) that they may have the courage to follow Jesus by listening to God’s Spirit at work in our world, and speaking the truth at al times: we pray:
- For those who are troubled by loneliness and fear of death: may they be strengthened by their faith in the Lord Jesus and in the loving mercy of the Father; we pray:
[The Presider may wish to add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P Lord, may you support us all the day long, till the shadows lengthen, and evening falls, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done; then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Prayer over the Gifts
God of mercy,
look with favor on the gifts of your people,
and through the power of this sacrament
grant that the community of those who believe in you
may become ever more fully
‘a chosen race,
a royal priesthood,
a holy nation,
a people you claim as your own.’
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Optional: Preface
[Taken from the Eucharistic Prayer ‘Jesus, the Way to the Father’
that has been incorporated into the new Roman Missal]
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Father most holy, Lord of heaven and earth.
Through your eternal Word you created all things
and govern their course with infinite wisdom.
In the Word made flesh
you have given us a mediator
who has spoken your words to us
and called us to be his disciples.
He is the way that leads to you,
the truth that sets us free,
the life that makes our joy complete.
Through your Son
you gather into one family
men and women created for the glory of your name,
redeemed by the blood of the cross,
and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
And so we praise your mighty deeds
and join with the hosts of angels,
as they proclaim your glory without end: Holy, Holy….
Intro to the Our Father
A
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God”.
So with trust we pray to the one whom Jesus called ‘Father’:
B
Brothers and sisters:
no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.
So let us pray as he taught us:
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant to us in our day
the peace which your risen Son brought to his disciples.
In your mercy comfort our troubled hearts
as we prepare for the coming in glory
of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer for Peace
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
“I am going to prepare a place for you.
I shall return to take you with me;
so that where I am you may also be.”
Lord, listen to our troubled and fearful hearts,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.
Sign of Peace
We are a kingly, priestly people.
Let us greet one another with the peace of Christ.
Optional prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’
As we share this bread,
we proclaim our willingness
to build a community of love,
to be the ‘holy people’
that God calls us to be.
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus who said:
“I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE;
no one can come to the Father except through me.”
Blessed are we who are called to dine at his table.
Prayer after Communion (based on 2nd Reading)
Compassionate Father,
we have ‘announced the praises of Jesus
who has called us out of darkness into your wonderful light.
Make us into living stones;
build us into a spiritual house
so that we can be a holy priesthood
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to you,’
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Solemn Blessing
You are a chosen race, a holy people. AMEN.
You are set apart to sing the praises of God. AMEN.
You are called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light. AMEN.
So may God bless you.
+ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. AMEN.
Dismissal
A
Let us go to announce to our brothers and sisters
that we have met the Lord.
B
Go forth and bear witness to Christ,
who is gloriously risen from the dead.
Contemporary Liturgy 