B. Jesus, Lamb of God
Readings: Is 49:3,5-6; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
1 Cor 1:1-3; Jn 1:29-34
Greeting (See
Second Reading)
To you, the holy people of Jesus Christ, grace and peace
from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. R/ And also with
you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. Witness to Jesus Christ
A Christian, a follower and disciple of Christ, is supposed
to be someone who tries to be a good witness to Christ in word and deed. The
first and great witness to Jesus in the gospel is John the Baptist, who showed
him to people. But even John had to acknowledge that at first he did not know
who Jesus really was and that he had to be converted, to learn who Jesus was
and what he stood for. Only then could he become a firm witness. And we, do we
not have to better learn who Jesus is and what he means to us and to people, so
that we can become closer to him and attract people to him?
B. Jesus, Lamb of
God Who is Jesus for us? What is the name for us that would best fit him?
The disciple of Isaiah called him the Servant of God. St Paul calls him Jesus
Christ. John the Baptist points him out as the Lamb of God. Jesus is all these.
It implies for us what we have to be with him: servants, saviors, if necessary
victims. Let us celebrate this eucharist with Jesus.
Penitential Act
If we would only know the Lord better, we would not hurt him
by our sins. Let us ask him to forgive us. (PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, John the Baptist tells us that you are the Lamb
of God that takes our sins away. Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, John the Baptist recognized that you were
greater than him and existed before him. Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have
mercy.
Lord Jesus, John the Baptist professed that God's Spirit
rested on you and that you are the Chosen One of God Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord,
have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, forgive us all our sins, make us
know you better that we may love you more, and lead us to everlasting
life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
A. Witness to Jesus Christ Let us pray for the
courage to bear witness to Jesus our Lord (PAUSE)
God our Father, John the Baptist pointed out your Son as the
Savior of the world, and yet he had to acknowledge that he knew Jesus all too
little. We know little about him, but give us the courage to bear witness that
he takes away the sin of the world and that he is your chosen One. Let your
Spirit come down also on us and stay with us, that our witnessing may be made
credible by the way we live. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/
Amen.
B. Jesus, Lamb of God Let us pray that with Jesus we
may learn to serve God and one another. (PAUSE)
Our God and Father, we honor Jesus, your Son in our midst, with
wonderful names: Jesus our Lord, Lamb of God, servant of God and people. Let
these names not merely be empty titles of honor among us but words full of
meaning that commit us to become like him. Help us to live for one another and
to bear each other's burdens, that we may be servants with him who is our Lord
for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: Servant of God and Light
of the Nations
A servant of God will come and be the light not only of
Israel but of all the nations. The Christian community recognized Jesus as this
servant.
Second Reading Introduction: Called to Bear Witness
to Jesus the Lord
As an apostle, St Paul considered himself a servant whose
task was to proclaim Jesus Christ as the Lord of all. Is Jesus the Lord of our
lives? Do we proclaim him as our Lord? Gospel Introduction: Look,
There Is the Lamb of God
John the Baptist bears witness that Jesus is the Savior, the
Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus is the promised servant
of God and people.
General Intercessions
We are supposed to be the holy people of Jesus Christ, and
called to pray to our Lord with and for all people. Let us say to Jesus:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, look upon your hesitant Church. Let your
Spirit come down upon it to give it the dynamism to preach you boldly and to
offer your forgiveness to all., we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the parents whose children are
baptized. May they come to know you better and lead their children to you and
to your love, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the people who are hungry and suffer
from sickness, torture or loneliness. Do not let the sin of the world crush
them, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see all the people who do not yet recognize
you and your light. Show your face to them through the words and actions of
those who serve you, we pray:
R/ Son of the living God, have mercy on us.
- Lord Jesus, see us sinners and accept us. Sin is at times stronger than we. Let your grace be stronger than our sins, we pray: R/
Son
of the living God, have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, let the fire which you have enkindled in our
world prompt us all to bear witness to your love. Hear us, our living Lord, now
and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Our God and Father, in these signs of bread and wine your
Son will give himself to us as our Lamb and your servant. At his table he will
serve us himself as our food and drink. Shape us in his likeness, that with him
we may give our all to those around us, and become forgiving, helping and
serving, uplifting and encouraging. Let us indeed be the people in whom Jesus
Christ lives, our Lord and Savior for ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, we give thanks to the Father for the forgiveness
and life brought to us. With Jesus, we, too, offer ourselves, that we may
become servants of God and each other.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
As the holy people of Jesus Christ, we call on God our
Father in the words of Jesus himself. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from our selfishness in whatever form this
root of sin appears in us and help us to grow in the likeness of your Son. Let
him be the Lord and center of our lives, open us to his life and love, that we
may always expect without fear our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For
the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
The words of John the Baptist are spoken to us now: This is
the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He is the chosen one of
God, our Lord and Savior. Happy are we to receive him. R/ Lord, I am
not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father, your Son Jesus stays among us to heal
and to save. Fill us with his strength, that we may go on doing what he did, quietly
and unobtrusively. Make us more aware that you have entrusted his work to us and
that we are your way to people, on account of Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives
with you and with us for ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
God sends you now to be his presence in today's world. Go and tell to those you meet the wonders he has done for you, and bring his love and peace to all those around you. And may almighty God bless you all: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let the Lord Jesus Christ go with you on all your ways. R/ Thanks be to God.
