Greetings
As the Spirit reminds us of Jesus' teaching, may the love of the Father and the Son and the peace of our risen Lord be always with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. The Farewell Gifts of Jesus: Every now and then
you hear about an old person, aware that death is not far away, giving advice
to his or her daughters and sons: When I will be gone, do this and that for
your own good and happiness. Jesus' parting words are also meant for us; they
are a sort of testament. Jesus is saying that if we find that elusive true
peace which he alone can give, we have to love him and the Father, and also one
another. We have to keep listening to the Holy Spirit reminding us of Jesus and
his teachings.
B. The Spirit Will Teach You: There are at times new
problems we have to face in our personal life and in the life of the Church.
How do we solve them? Jesus reminds us today that the Father will send the Holy
Spirit to remind us of Jesus' teachings and to make us understand them. The
Spirit will help us and the Church to see what is to be done in the light of
our faith. We ask Jesus to give us this Spirit.
Penitential Act
Our peace is disturbed by our sins. Let us seek the peace of
the Lord's forgiveness. (PAUSE) Lord Jesus, you ask us to keep your word
and you assure us that you will live in us: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord,
have mercy. Jesus Christ, you promise us the Spirit, who will remind us of
your words and deeds: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus, you give us your peace, the kind
of peace the world cannot give us: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have
mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, and
give us the peace of your pardon. Let no fear trouble our hearts and lead us to
everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that the Spirit of Christ may guide us (PAUSE)
Loving Father, keep us faithful to the word of your Son. Give us the Holy
Spirit to remind us of all Jesus has said to us and done for us. Let this Holy
Spirit protect us from all fear and cowardice and give us the courage to build
up the Church in peace and with patient love. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: The Liberating Spirit Opens The Church To All The Church does not belong to any partisan group. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the apostles decide collegially that the Church must be open to all.
Second Reading Introduction: The Church, Temple Of
God's Presence The apostle John
describes the Church as a city wherein God dwells. It is founded on the
apostles and is open to all.
Gospel Introduction: The Holy Spirit Will Teach Us
We express our love for Jesus by living according to his Gospel. He stays with us through his Holy Spirit, who gives us an understanding of what the Gospel asks of us—and the strength to live accordingly.
General Intercessions
Inspired by the Spirit of the Lord, let us pray to the Lord
Jesus that he may unite us and the world in his peace and love. Let us
say: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That in the dissension and controversies in the Church of
our day, Christians who communicate together may not excommunicate one another,
let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That we may have the courage to be faithful to the Second
Vatican Council and be converted to its spirit, let us pray: R/ Lord,
make your home with us.
- That those who are troubled and afraid may find peace in
the gospel of the Lord and become aware how near the Lord is, let us
pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That the Lord's disciples today may not extinguish the
Spirit but learn to recognize him at work in the world and in the Church today,
let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
- That our faith may be our peace, that the Lord's love may
be our joy; that all our life may belong to him and that he make his home with
us, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
Stay with us, Lord, send us your Spirit and show us the
Father; be our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving Father, as we are gathered around these gifts, the
Holy Spirit reminds us of Jesus' words: "Do this in memory of me." Show
us your love and come with your Son to make your home in each of us and in our
communities. Do not let us be troubled or afraid, Give us your peace and let us
share it with a divided and suffering world. We ask this in the name of Jesus
the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
We can give thanks to the Father since Jesus our Lord is
risen. He lives among us here and in his Church through the Holy Spirit to
bring our thanks before the Father.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
Through the Spirit of understanding and love let us pray to
our Father in heaven the prayer of Jesus our Lord: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from our factions and division and bring
us together under the leadership of Jesus, our Good Shepherd. Let us share in
the peace of his caring and forgiving love and save us from all anxiety, for we
are sure that he will bring us to the source of living water, for he is our
Shepherd and Savior Jesus Christ: R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, who continues to live among
his people. He invites those who love him to keep his word and to eat his body.
R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father, you and your Son Jesus make your home with
those who keep the word of Jesus. He has spoken his word to us here and we
believe in it and love it and will make it come true in our lives by the power
of the bread of life. And should we forget it, let your Spirit remind us and
teach us to live by it with joy. Let that word and your love bring us your
peace. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
Jesus told us today: "Those who love me will keep my word," that is, they will put my words into practice, and will try their best to live as I lived. May the Holy Spirit guide us to help us live according to the Lord's gospel and may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen. Go in the peace of Christ and live in his presence. R/ Thanks be to God.