Introduction: Many
people are lamenting because they do not feel the presence of God, particularly
in moments of deep sorrow. At the occasion of the death of a beloved person one
hears often: "Where is God now? He has deserted us!" It was a thought
many Jews expressed during the "Shoah" (holocaust, literally
"destruction,"). Yet some tenaciously held on to God, saying that it
was God who suffered there at the hands of people.
Penitential Rite:
-The Lord has done wondrous
deeds in our lives, for our ingratitude, Lord, have mercy
-He has remembered his
kindness and his faithfulness in spite of our turning away from him, Christ,
have mercy
-In the sight of the nations
he has revealed his justice despite our many acts of injustice, Lord, have
mercy
Opening Prayer
Lord
our God, when we suffer deeply we tend to cry out: "My God, where are
you?" Give to us, people who believe that your Son died for us and by your
power rose from the dead, a faith deep and strong enough to know that you are
with us also in the difficulties and woes of life, even in the throes of death.
Give us this faith through Jesus Christ our Lord.
General Intercessions
-
For those responsible for our earth, that the Spirit may guide them to respect
God's work of creation, its beauty and integrity, we pray:
-
For people facing death, that their hope in the resurrection may assure them
that God will give them everlasting life, we pray:
-
For those who suffer, that they may know that God knows and that the Spirit may
turn their pain into joy, we pray:
Prayer over the gifts
Our
living and loving God, when the people you had made your own marched through
the inhospitable desert, you were there with them and you gave them the manna
to eat. Keep us from complaining and murmuring when the difficulties of life
come our way. Nourish us in our deserts with today's manna, with the body and
blood of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Lord
our God, do not take it amiss when we cry out to you in the deserts of our
pains and loneliness. Keep strengthening us with the food and the drink of joy
of Jesus. And make us see your presence also in the good people around us, in
their words of consolation and hope. Reassure us that you lead us to a joy and
a happiness to which there is no end. Grant us this through Christ our Lord.
