Greeting (See Second Reading)
We believe that Jesus died and rose again and that those who
have died in Jesus will be brought to life with their Lord. May Jesus, the Lord
of life, be always with you all. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
When they hear that they have to be vigilant and ready for
the Lord’s coming, many people think that they have to be ready for death so as
not to be caught unaware. Much more than this is meant. We have to learn to
meet the Lord now in the many ways he comes to us: as our companion on the road
of life, in our neighbor, in our prayer, in the celebration of the Eucharist.
These will prepare us for the final encounter. Let us pray to the Lord that he
make us attentive to his constant presence among us.
Penitential Act
If only we had been more aware how often we meet the Lord in
life! Let us ask him to forgive us. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you seem absent when we struggle with suffering,
but you are there with your strength: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have
mercy.
Jesus Christ, often we forget you in the cares of everyday
life, but you are there with us: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have
mercy.
Lord Jesus, we neglect to care for you in our sick and
neglected brothers and sisters, but you want us to serve you in them: Lord,
have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Forgive us all our sins, Lord, and make us look for your
presence. Walk with us and lead us to the feast of everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray for union with our Lord on earth and in heaven (pause)
Lord God, our Father, you want us to encounter your Son here
on earth as our companion in life. Keep us always awake and responsive to his
love, which he offers us in the Eucharist, in his forgiveness, in the events of
life, in our brothers and sisters he entrust to us. Let him be our peace in our
tensions, our joy even when we suffer, our life and happiness beyond death. Let
him admit us to your lasting feast of joy, for he is our Lord for ever and
ever. R/ Amen.
First Reading: Wis 6:12-16 Those Who Seek God’s Wisdom
Will Find It
God’s wisdom that which tells us how to live according to
God’s ways and to be happy, is easy to find for those who look for it. In fact,
if we are open to him, God and his wisdom will look more for us than we for
God.
Second Reading: 1 Thes 4:13-18 Those Who Die in Christ
Will Rise
The Thessalonians are worried about their dead. If they have
died before the return of Christ, how can they be saved? Paul tells them: if
they have died in union with Christ, they will rise from the dead and live
forever.
Gospel: Mt 25:1-3 Ready to Meet the Lord
Christians should not take their faith for granted. They
should be vigilant and work in hope for the return of Christ. The Lord will
certainly come but we do not know when.
Intercessions
We are not like those who have no hope, for we have a Savior
who rose from the dead. We look forward to him in hope as we pray: R/ Lord
of glory, in you we hope.
– For our pope, bishops and priests, that they
may constantly remind God’s people of the eternal dimension of life and lead us
with wisdom, patience and vigilance, let us pray: R/ Lord of glory, in
you we hope.
– For the young, that they may
remain critical of mediocrity in their own lives and yet keep hoping and
building toward a new and better world, let us pray: R/ Lord of glory,
in you we hope.
– For those in danger of death, that
they may not fear or despair but commit themselves in hope to the Lord who has
overcome death; for old people, that in peace and serenity they may prepare to
meet the Lord face to face, let us pray: R/ Lord of glory, in you we
hope.
– For those discouraged and wounded by life,
that they may not grow bitter and that from our presence and friendship they
may draw fresh strength and hope, let us pray: R/ Lord of glory, in you
we hope.
– For our beloved dead, that they may live in
the joy of the Lord, let us pray. R/ Lord of glory, in you we hope.
Lord Jesus Christ, you alone know the day and the hour of
all things and every person. Do not let the cares of the day close our hearts
to your coming. Meet us now and in the joy that lasts for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, we, your people on the march, bring before you
this bread and wine as an offering and a prayer that your Son Jesus may go with
us our weary way and sustain us in faith and hope. Let him fill each of our
days with deeds of goodness and wisdom. And may this meal of the Eucharist
prepare us to share in your feast that lasts forever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
Christ among us in the Eucharist is the pledge that one day
we will enjoy with him the happiness of heaven. With him we now thank God our
Father.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
As people of hope, we pray to our Father in heaven the
prayer of Jesus our Lord. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord from our carelessness which in the day’s
routine makes us forget the purpose for which you have made us. Keep us free
from sin and give us wisdom and foresight to prepare in joy and hope for
encountering your Son. May we be ready to meet without fear our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God who died and rose again. He
meets us now with all solicitude, that we may encounter him with joy when he
appears in glory. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God of our hope and joy, we are sure we have encountered
your Son Jesus in this Eucharistic celebration. We have recognized his voice; he
has nourished us with the bread of himself. Let Jesus himself be the lamp that
shines brightly on our life and make us always hear his voice crying out to us
in our needy brothers and sisters, that he may find us ready when he comes to
gather us into the feast of your kingdom that lasts for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
In the presence of the Lord, we have reflected on his words about
the wisdom of vigilance. What are we, foolish or wise? Probably a bit of the
two: foolish when we sin, wise when we are vigilant and try to live a bit like
Jesus and to put his words into practice. May almighty God keep you vigilant
and wise and bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of the Lord, and may he keep you always faithful. R/ Thanks be to God.
