AD SENSE

Thursday After Ash Wednesday - Liturgical Prayers


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.