Introduction
Faithfulness is
not easy except if we are intensely committed to a person we love. If we are
loyal, we share in the joys and trials of the other person and we never lose
our serenity or basic happiness. This is also true in our relationship with
God, which we live most intensely if we are strongly dedicated to Christ. We
follow him in his passion to rise with him in joy. For if we are with him, even
death brings life and happiness.
Penitential
Rite:
-Lord, you set
before a choice between life and prosperity, or death and doom; as we choose
life
-Lord, you a
place before us blessing or curse, as we choose blessing and walk in your ways
-Lord you give us
a choice between entering your promised land or live in the desert, as we
choose your kingdom
Opening Prayer:
Lord, our God, you love
us and you invite us to share in your own life and joy through a personal
decision. Help us to choose you and life
and to remain ever loyal to this basic
option by the power of Jesus Christ, your Son, who was loyal to you and to us, now
and forever.
General
Intercessions
–
That God may give us every day the courage to follow him, also when the choice
between good and evil is difficult, we pray:
– For the People of God, the Church, that we may have
the insight and the bravery to accept the reform needed to be true to Christ,
we pray:
–
For the good people, who help others in their difficulties, that their good
deeds may bring them closer to the Lord, we pray:
Offertory: Lord, our God, Jesus went the way of the
cross because he was loyal to you whatever the cost. May we be loyal with him and accept crosses
that come our way in life without rebellion or discouragement. May Christ give us this strength now, that we
may live with him forever.
Preface: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and
everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through
Christ our Lord.
For by your gracious gift each year your faithful await the sacred paschal
feasts with the joy of minds made
pure, so that, more eagerly intent on prayer and on the works of charity, and
participating in the mysteries by
which they have been reborn, they may be led to the fullness of grace that you bestow on your sons and daughters.
And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and
Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of
your glory as without end we
acclaim:
Communion: Lord, our God, by the strength of this
Eucharist, we return to our work and to people.
Help us to live our faith consistently, as Christ wants us to live it, without
compromise or bargaining. May Christ
give us this strength of being loyal to his person, now and forever.
Blessing: Those who accept the difficulties of life
to serve God and people, “who lose their life for my sake,” as Jesus says, are
taking up their cross and following Christ. May Almighty God bless them and us,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.