Fast from worry; feast on divine order.
We will have some reflective music as we gather together to help us become aware of the presence of God amongst us.
Leader: From the fragmented world of our everyday lives,
All: We gather together in search of wholeness.
Leader: We have many cares, & things can separate us,
All: We gather together in search of wholeness.
Leader: We are at times divided within our hearts,
All: We gather together in search of wholeness.
Please join in the hymn. (Take this moment Tr 10. Lead me Lord).
Lead me, Lord, lead me in thy righteousness,
make thy way plain before my face.
For it is thou, Lord, thou Lord, only
that makest me dwell in safety.
Lead me, Lord. Lead me in true holiness.
Teach me to love and trust in thee.
Thou art our God, the God of our salvation:
all nations shall praise thy holy name.
Please say the first part of the psalm, each person taking a verse round the group, after saying the antiphon together
All: You cannot serve both God & wealth.
Hear this, all you peoples; listen inhabitants of the world, all children of the earth, both rich & poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, the thoughts of my heart be full of understanding. I shall reveal the secret of a riddle, unfolding a mystery to the sound of the lyre.
Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when the cruel & the greedy triumph, those who put their trust in great wealth, & boast of the abundance of their riches?
No-one may ransom a sister or brother, no-one give God a price for them, so that they may live for ever & never see the grave: to ransom their lives is so costly, we must abandon the idea for ever.
For we see the prosperous die, & perish with the foolish & ignorant, leaving their wealth to others. The tomb is their home for ever, their dwelling through all generations, despite their estates named after them. The wealthy in all their pomp – they are just like the beasts – they perish.
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: You cannot serve both God & wealth.
Please sing this part of the psalm & its antiphon as indicated.
Cantors: Store up treasure for yourself in heaven,
Says the Lord.
Side 1: This is the lot of the arrogant,
Who are pleased with their words & trust in themselves.
Side 2: They are destined to die like sheep:
Death is their shepherd, they cannot avoid their end.
Side 1: Their good looks will fade in the tomb,
And their grandeur will follow them.
Side 2: But God will ransom my life,
God will snatch me from the power of the grave.
Side 1: I shall not be afraid when neighbours grow rich,
When the wealth of their household increases.
Side 2: For they will take nothing away when they die;
Nor will their wealth go down with them.
Side 1: Though they thought highly of themselves while they lived,
And were praised for their worldly success,
Side 2: They will go to the company of their ancestors,
Who will never again see the sun.
Side 1: The wealthy in all their pomp –
They are just like the beasts – they perish.
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: Store up treasure for yourself in heaven,
Says the Lord.
Reading (Isaiah1) followed by a pause for silent reflection.
Hear the word of our God; listen to the instruction of our God!
“The multitude of your sacrifices— what are they to me?” says our God. “I have more than enough of burnt offerings, of rams and the fat of fattened animals; I have no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come to appear before me, who has asked this of you?
Stop doing wrong. Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says our God. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land;
The mouth of God has spoken.
Please sing the Magnificat saying its antiphon first as indicated.
All: You are all sisters & brothers. Do not call anyone your
father, since you have only one father & he is in heaven.
Nor must you be called teachers, for you have only one
teacher, the Christ.
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 & 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: You are all sisters & brothers. Do not call anyone
your father, since you have only one father & he is
in heaven. Nor must you be called teachers, for
you have only one teacher, the Christ.
Intercessions:
Reader: Wrapped, with all creation, in the unlimited love of God, let us share the aching hearts of all who are denied basic human rights & have no power & no voice……. pause …… we pray,
All: Lord, set them free.
Reader: Let us share the pain of those who are abused, tortured & imprisoned for their beliefs ……. pause …… we pray,
All: Lord, set them free.
Reader: Let us share the grief of those who must watch their children die from starvation & disease ……. pause …… we pray,
All: Lord, set them free.
Reader: Let us share the joy of all who are freed from pain, poverty & injustice……. pause …… we rejoice,
All: in all whose generous lives are given to relieve suffering.
Reader: We pray for people who have died today & those who will die tonight. We also remember those whose anniversaries of death occur tomorrow, remembering especially:
Pause for people to add silently or aloud any further intentions.
Leader begins the Our Father….
Leader: God our Father, your son was crucified & now is risen. May we find in you a sure ground for our faith, a firm support for our hopes, and the assurance that life is eternal. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
Leader: Spirit of integrity, you lead us out into the desert to
search out your truth for us. We ask your blessing on
our search this Lent – may Almighty God bless us – the
Father Son and Holy Spirit,
All: Amen.