Leader: God of beginnings & endings, we are coming towards the end of our day.
All: We gather to thank you for its blessings.
Leader: We know that the end of one day is the beginning of another.
All: We gather to place tomorrow in your hands.
Leader: Above all we know that you are our beginning & our end.
All: We give you thanks.
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 sing the antiphon & psalm as indicated.
Cantors: We are waiting in hope
For the blessings of the glorious coming of our saviour.
Side 1: My soul waits, silent for God, for God alone, my salvation,
Alone my rock, my safety, my refuge: I stand secure.
Side 2: How long will some of you attack, tearing others down
As if walls or fences they were on the verge of collapse?
Side 1: You scheme to topple them, so smug in your lies;
Your lips are all blessing, but murder fills your heart.
Side 2: Wait, my soul, silent for God, for God alone, my hope,
Alone, my rock, my safety, my refuge, I stand secure.
People, give your hearts to God, trust always! God is our haven.
Side 2: Mortals are but a breath, nothing more than a mirage;
Set them on the scales, they prove lighter than mist.
Side 1: Idolators are the fools, they brag of empty Gods.
You gods, be subject to the Lord!
Side 2: Zion hears & is happy,
The cities of Judah are joyful about your judgements, Lord.
Side 1: You, Lord, you reach high in majesty above the earth,
Far higher than any God.
Side 2: Those who love the Lord hate evil;
God shields their faithful lives & breaks the hold of the wicked.
Side 1: Light will rain on the just, joy on the loyal heart.
Be joyous in the Lord God, you people of faith, praise God’s holy name.
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: We are waiting in hope
For the blessings of the glorious coming of our saviour.
We will listen to, or join in with, Ps 66 – (Awakening in Love 13).
O God, be gracious and bless us; and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon the earth
and all nations learn of your saving help.
O God, be gracious and bless us; and let your face shed its light upon us.
Let the nations exult for you rule the world with justice,
With fairness you guide the peoples here on earth.
O God, be gracious and bless us; and let your face shed its light upon us.
The earth has yielded a rich & fruitful harvest,
Let peoples praise you, O let the peoples praise you.
O God, be gracious and bless us; and let your face shed its light upon us.
Bless us, bless us, bless, bless, bless.
Reading from ‘Let us Dream. Pope Francis.
‘Overflow’ is a possible translation of the Greek word used in psalm 22 – ‘My cup is overflowing’. That is what Jesus promises – God’s grace will be poured into our laps when we forgive. It is the same word that is used in John’s gospel to describe the life Jesus came to bring & the same word that Paul uses to describe God’s generosity in his second letter to the Corinthians. It is the very heart of God that overflows in those memorable words of the father rushing out to hug his prodigal son, the wedding host who gathers guests from the roads & the fields for his banquet, the net-breaking catch of fish at dawn after a night of fruitless trawling, or Jesus washing the feet of his disciples on the night before he died. Such ‘overflows’ of love happen, above all, at the crossroads of life, at moments of openness, fragility & humility, when the ocean of God’s love bursts the dam of our self-sufficiency, & so allows for a new imagination of the possible.
Reflection.
Please sing the Magnificat as indicated.
Cantors: This is the faithful and wise steward whom the Master placed over his household,
To give them their measure of food at the proper time.
Side 1: My being proclaims your greatness,
And my spirit finds joy in you, God my Saviour;
Side 2: For you have looked upon me, your servant, in my lowliness:
All ages to come shall call me blessed.
Side 1: God, you who are mighty, have done great things for me:
Holy is your name.
Side 2: Your mercy is from age to age
Towards those who fear you.
Side 1: You have shown might with your arm,
And confused the proud in their inmost thoughts.
Side 2: You have deposed the mighty from their thrones,
And raised the lowly to high places.
Side 1: The hungry you have given every good thing,
While the rich you have sent away empty.
Side 2: You have upheld Israel, your servant,
Ever mindful of your mercy-
Side 1: Even as you promised our ancestors,
Promised Abraham, Sarah, and their descendants for ever.
All: Give praise to the Father Almighty,
To his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
To the Spirit who dwells in our hearts,
Both now and for ever, Amen.
All: This is the faithful and wise steward whom the Master placed over his household,
To give them their measure of food at the proper time.
Intercessions
Reader: ‘All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.’ We ask that this may be recognised in all parts of our world ……………….. pause ……………. God is merciful,
All: Hear our prayer.
Reader: ‘Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person’. We ask that this may be a reality in our world……. ……..
pause …… God is merciful,
All: Hear our prayer.
Reader: ‘No-one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.’ We pray for all those unjustly deprived of their liberty. ………..
pause ……… God is merciful,
All: Hear our prayer.
Reader: We pray for ourselves that we may play our part in ensuring that no-one is deprived of these basic rights ………..
pause ……… God is merciful,
All: Hear our prayer.
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 intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father.
Leader: Almighty & merciful God, by your grace St John Mary Vianney was remarkable for his work as priest & pastor. Help us by his example & prayers to bring those around us to Christ by love & to share with them in eternal life. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
We will end with a sung blessing: Heavenly Peace Tr 16.
The peace of Christ be with you,
The love of Christ enfold you,
The joy of Christ inspire you;
The strength of Christ uphold you,
And the beauty of Christ be within you,
All the days of your life.
Amen.