Leader: As we come to the end of this great feast we come to pray in thanksgiving.
All: Thanks be to God. Glory be to the Father & to the Son
& to the Holy Spirit, amen – alleluia!
After this introduction, incense is lit as a symbol of our prayer rising to God.
At the end of the week, we may like to speak of any situation or concern that we have in which we have been involved during the week
& place them in God’s hand during this time of prayer.
Refrain. A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you love one another as I have loved you.
By this shall people know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another – by this shall people know you are my disciples, if you have love one for another. (Refrain).
You are my friends if you do what I command you. Without my help you can do nothing. You are my friends if you do what I command you. Without my help you can do nothing. (Refrain).
I am the true vine, my Father is the gardener, abide in me: I will be with you. I am the true vine, my Father is the gardener, abide in me: I will be with you. (Refrain).
True love is patient, not arrogant, nor boastful; love bears all things, love is eternal. True love is patient, not arrogant, nor boastful; love bears all things, love is eternal. (Refrain).
Please say the psalm & its antiphon as indicated.
All: With your gentle yoke, Lord, rule in the midst of your foes.
Side 1: The Lord’s revelation to my Master: sit on my right; your
foes I will put beneath your feet. The Lord will wield
from Sion his sceptre of power: rule in the midst of your foes.
Side 2: A prince from the day of your birth on the holy
mountains: from the womb before the dawn I begot
you. The Lord has sworn an oath he will not change,
you are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.
Side 1: The Master standing at your right hand will shatter kings
in the day of his wrath. He shall drink from the stream
by the wayside and therefore he shall lift up his head.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.
All: With your gentle yoke, Lord, rule in the midst of your foes.
Please sing the psalm & its antiphon as indicated:
Cantors: The Lord is compassion & love:
He gives food to those who fear him.
Side 1: With all my heart I will thank the Lord
In the assembly of his people.
Side 2: How wonderful are the things the Lord does!
All who are delighted with them want to understand them.
Side 1: All God does is full of honour & majesty;
God’s righteousness is eternal.
Side 2: God does not let us forget his wonderful actions;
God is kind & wonderful.
Side 1: God provides food for those who honour him;
God never forgets the covenant.
Side 2: God has shown his power to the people
By giving them the land of foreigners.
Side 1: In all God does he is faithful & just;
All his commands are dependable.
Side 2: They last for all time;
They were given in truth & righteousness.
Side 1: God set his people free
And made an eternal covenant with them.
Side 2: Holy & mighty is God!
The way to become wise is to honour God;
Side 1: God gives sound judgement to all who obey his commands.
God is to be praised for ever.
All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,
World without end, Amen.
All: The Lord is compassion & love:
He gives food to those who fear him.
Reading: Cardinal Hume.
There is no finer way of showing compassion than to give yourself to others, & at the heart of that giving there will always be acceptance of the other. The compassion which we show to other people has to be modelled on & inspired by the compassion which God first shows to us. Indeed the truth is deeper. We become the vehicles, the instruments of God’s compassion. Every time we open ourselves to the needs of others, he uses us to show them the meaning of love. That is at the heart of everything; that is the Good News that we have to spread. God who is love has compassion, & asks us to love our neighbours as ourselves.
Silence for reflection.
Leader: Christ loved us & has washed away our sins with his love.
All: Christ loved us & has washed away our sins with his love.
Leader: He made us a line of kings, priests to serve God.
All: Christ loved us & has washed away our sins with his love.
Leader: Glory be to the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
All: Christ loved us & has washed away our sins with his love.
We will say the antiphon & then listen to, or join in with, the Margaret Rizza’s Magnificat.
All: The Lord has received us into his own self, into his heart,
remembering his mercy, alleluia!
Magnificat, Magnificat, Anima Mea Dominum.
Magnificat, Magnificat, Anima Mea Dominum.
Intercessions:
Reader: Lord Jesus, help us to realise how complacent we are –
how willing to accept injustice & tyranny over those who
are poor, weak or powerless….. pause….. we ask,
All: Give us your compassionate heart.
Reader: When we shut our eyes or stand aside from outrage &
grief, we unwittingly make ourselves one with the
oppressors….. pause….. we ask,
All: Give us your compassionate heart.
Reader: Help us to face the truth & to share in the joy of your
justice & peace….. pause…..we ask,
All: Give us your compassionate heart.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today & those who will
die tonight. We also remember in prayer those whose
anniversaries occur tomorrow, in particular:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father………..
Leader: Almighty God & father, we reverence the Sacred Heart of Jesus, your
beloved Son, as we call to mind the great things his love has done for
- We pray that we will be instruments of that love in our relationships.
Fill us with the grace that flows in abundance from the heart of Jesus.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ
All: Amen.
All: May the blessing of life give us energy to follow in the
footsteps of our God. May we & all our families & friends
be blessed by God to live in accord with the heart of Christ.
All: Amen.