We put ourselves in the presence of God as we listen to quiet music. (Volutes d’ete. Tr 8. ‘Lucioles)
Leader: Blessed be the God of Wonder & Mystery.
All: Blessed for ever be God’s glorious name!
Leader: Through the tender mercy of our God the day has dawned upon us from on high, to give light to those who sit in darkness & in the shadow of death, & to guide our feet into ways of peace.
All: Living Word of light & love, full of grace & truth, we greet you.
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 before the Lord during this time of prayer.
Please listen to the hymn, Bernadette Farrell’s ‘Everyday God’ – joining in the refrain if you wish – (Restless is the Heart. Tr 2)
Everyday God – O Jesus – O Spirit – Come be with us.
Please say the psalm (145 – Cotter) & antiphon as indicated.
All: I will bless you day after day, and tell of your wonderful deeds, O Lord.
Side 1: For the dawning of the light, for the sun at midday; for the shade of the evening:
All: We give thanks to our God.
Side 2: For the rising of the moon, for the guiding stars; for the comets on cue:
All: We give thanks to our God.
Side 1: For the breaking of the fast, for noontide’s refreshment; for the meal round the table:
All: We give thanks to our God.
Side 2: For the greening of the woodland, for the grains of the harvest; for the fruits of the season:
All: We give thanks to our God.
Side 1: For the cry of the baby, for the flowering of youth; for the strength of maturity:
All: We give thanks to our God.
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: I will bless you day after day, and tell of your wonderful deeds, O Lord.
Please sing the 2nd half of the psalm as indicated.
Cantors: The eyes of all creatures look to you, Lord;
You are close to all who call upon you.
Side 1: The Lord is faithful in all his words
And loving in all his deeds.
Side 2: The Lord supports all who fall
And raises all who are bowed down.
Side 1: The eyes of all creatures look to you
And you give them their food in due time.
Side 2: You open wide your hand,
Grant the desires of all who live.
Side 1: The Lord is just in all his ways
And loving in all his deeds.
Side 2: He is close to all who call him,
Who call on him from their hearts.
Side 1: He grants the desires of those who fear him,
He hears their cry and he saves them.
Side 2: The Lord protects all who love him;
But the wicked he will utterly destroy.
Side 1: Let me speak the praise of the Lord,
Let all people bless his holy name forever, for ages unending.
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 eyes of all creatures look to you, Lord;
You are close to all who call upon you.
Reading: From Pope Francis ‘Gaudate & Exultate’
Hunger and thirst are intense experiences, since they involve basic needs and our instinct for survival. There are those who desire justice and yearn for righteousness with similar intensity. Jesus says that they will be satisfied, for sooner or later, justice will come. We can cooperate to make that possible, even if we may not always see the fruit of our efforts. Jesus offers a justice other than that of the world, so often marred by petty interests and manipulated in various ways. Experience shows how easy it is to become mired in corruption, ensnared in the daily politics of quid pro quo, where everything becomes business. How many people suffer injustice, standing by powerlessly while others divvy up the good things of this life. Some give up fighting for real justice and opt to follow in the train of the winners. This has nothing to do with the hunger and thirst for justice that Jesus praises. True justice comes about in people’s lives when they themselves are just in their decisions; it is expressed in their pursuit of justice for the poor and the weak. While it is true that the word “justice” can be a synonym for faithfulness to God’s will in every aspect of our life, if we give the word too general a meaning, we forget that it is shown especially in justice towards those who are most vulnerable: “Seek justice, correct oppression; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow” (Is 1:17). Hungering and thirsting for righteousness: that is holiness.
Short pause for personal reflection.
We will sing the Magnificat as indicated.
Cantors: The saints will dwell in the kingdom of Heaven;
Their peace will last for ever.
Side 1: My soul glorifies the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
Side 2: He looks on his servant in her lowliness;
Henceforward all ages will call me blessed.
Side 1: The Almighty works marvels for me,
Holy his name.
Side 2: His mercy is from age to age,
On those who fear him.
Side 1: He puts forth his arm in strength,
And scatters the proud-hearted.
Side 2: He casts the mighty from their thrones,
And raises the lowly.
Side 1: He fills the starving with good things,
Sends the rich away empty.
Side 2: He protects Israel, his servant,
Remembering his mercy –
Side 1: The mercy promised to our fathers,
To Abraham, Sarah, and their children 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 saints will dwell in the kingdom of Heaven;
Their peace will last for ever.
Confession & Intercession:
Reader: For our incapacity to feel the suffering of others, & our tendency to live comfortably with injustice ….. pause …… we ask,
All: God, forgive us.
Reader: For the self-righteousness which denies guilt, & the selfishness which strangles compassion ….. pause …… we ask,
All: God, forgive us.
Reader: For those who live their lives in careless unconcern, who cry ‘Peace, peace’ when there is no peace within themselves….. pause …… in faith,
All: We ask your mercy.
Reader: For our failings in community,….. pause …… in faith,
All: We ask your mercy.
Reader: For our lack of forgiveness, openness, sensitivity,….. pause …… we pray,
All: God, forgive us.
Reader: For the times we were too eager to be better than others; when we are too rushed to care; when we are too tired to bother; when we don’t really listen; when we are too quick to act from motives other than love, ….. pause …… we pray,
All: God, forgive us.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today & for those who will die tonight. We also remember in prayer those whose anniversaries occur tomorrow, remembering especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father……..
Leader: Lord God, let Saint Agatha, who became precious in your sight, through her pure life and martyrdom, plead for us & our concerns. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord,
All: Amen.
All: May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, & the love of God, & the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.