Friday after Ash Wednesday

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

Do what is good and run from evil so that you may live! Then the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies will be your helper, just as you have claimed. (Amos 5:15)

Morning Reading: Matthew 9:14-15 (NLT)

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, “Why don’t your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?”

Jesus replied, “Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

Morning Prayer

Christ my Savior, who redeemed me by your death and resurrection, have mercy on me.

+ You went up to Jerusalem to endure the passion and enter into glory – lead me into the paschal feast of eternal life.
+ Your heart was pierced with a lance – heal the wounds of my human weakness.
+ You made your cross the tree of life – share your victory with me.
+ You gave salvation to the repentant thief – pardon all my sins.

Merciful God, give me the grace to continue the chosen fast I have begun; so that the Lenten observance I have taken upon myself may be accomplished in sincerity of heart. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Grace” – Laura Story

Closing Sentences

Come back, says the Lord, and I will frown on you no more, since I am merciful and I shall not keep my resentment for ever. Come back, disloyal children, says the Lord. (Jeremiah 3:12,14)

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!