AD SENSE

8 Sunday C - Liturgical Prayers

 Greeting (See Second Reading)

Let us thank God for giving the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. May the Risen Lord Jesus be always with you. R/ And also with you.

  Introduction:

Why is it that practically all of us notice the defects and failures of others, yet we are blind to our own shortcomings? Often we blame in others what we overlook in ourselves. Let us look today at Jesus here among us. Yes, he came to save people from their sins, yet he did not judge and condemn people but attracted them by his open attitude of friendship, appreciation of the good in them and by giving them new chances in life. There is much to learn from him. Let us ask him for his goodness of heart.  

Penitential Act 

Let us ask the Lord not to condemn us in the same way as we judge others, but to forgive us and to give us goodness of heart. (PAUSE)

Lord Jesus, you know where you lead us and we are ready to follow you on the road of life and forgiveness. Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, you accept people the way they are, so that you can convert and save them: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, in the goodness of your heart you brought forgiveness where there was hatred, joy where there was sadness: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Lord, we thank you for the healing you bring us by your forgiving love. Make us patient like you and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray that Christ may always be our light and guide (PAUSE) Lord, loving Father, you have given us no blind guide to lead us but our one Teacher Jesus Christ, whose slow-learning disciples we are. He had not come to condemn us but to forgive and save. Give us clear eyes to look into our own hearts and consciences, but dim them with the shades of love when we see the faults of those around us. And may we inspire others by our Christ-like living. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen. 

Intercessions

By his life and death and message Jesus taught us the forgiving mercy of God, which seeks to save, not to condemn. May we follow his example and pray to him: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

– That Jesus may show the Church the road to follow in the often-difficult circumstances of our day, a road to forgiveness and love, and of justice and truth, let us pray: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

– That Jesus may show the road to follow to the honest seekers of truth and goodness, that they may not be misled by false leaders, let us pray: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

– That Jesus may show us the road to follow to those who in the goodness of their heart are willing to serve the cause of peace and friendship, let us pray: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

– That Jesus may show the road to follow to those who easily condemn and are reluctant to forgive and accept people, let us pray: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

– That Jesus may show us the road to follow, that we may learn to see the evil that is in us and no longer condemn others for the wrongs we too are inclined to commit, let us pray: R/ Lord, guide us on the road to life.

Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of all the spiritually blind who have lost their way in life. By your love and strength lead us all to the Father who loves everyone. Be our teacher now and for ever. R/ Amen.

 Prayer over the Gifts 

Lord our God, your Son Jesus brought light in our darkness: he opened the eyes of the blind. Give us your Son here in this eucharist that he may open our eyes to your forgiving love and to your goodness present in people. Grant this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.   

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer 

With Jesus we thank the Father for his goodness: through Jesus, he has given us light and life, a goal to work for, a road to follow. It is a joy for us to express our gratitude. 

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer 

Let now well up from the goodness of our heart the prayer which Jesus himself taught us: R/ 

Deliver Us 

Set us free Lord, from all evil, above all from the evil of sin. Help us to see the beam in our own eyes and make us mild and understanding toward others. Lead us forward together in joyful hope toward the coming in glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom... 

Invitation to Communion 

This is Jesus, the Lamb of God who has taken away the death of sin and leads us to the resurrection. Happy are we that he gives us the food and drink of life. R/ Lord, I am not worthy... 

Prayer after Communion 

God our Father, you have let all of us here share, with our faults and irritating habits, in the meal of friendship and unity of Jesus Christ your Son. Make us accept one another also in everyday life and cover each other’s shortcomings with the mantle of love. May we overcome evil with good and bring your peace to this earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen. 

Blessing 

St Paul has warned us today never to admit defeat in doing good, never to give up following Jesus. Would that not apply also to stop looking for faults in others, while forgetting gladly our own mistakes and failures? Yes, let us be mild to one another, as God has been good and mild to us, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.  Let us go with joy and thanks, for God has been good to all of us. R/ Thanks be to God.