In Ordinary Time the Church moves slowly from winter to spring. During this season, the Sunday readings will follow the life and teachings of Jesus. Ordinary Time will end on March 1st, Ash Wednesday, the first day of the season of Lent.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
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Reading: Psalm 119:101, 110 (NLT)
I have refused to walk on any evil path, so that I may remain obedient to your word.
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The wicked have set their traps for me, but I will not turn from your commandments.
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Reading: Genesis 3:6 (NLT)
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
This day is Your gift to me;
I take it, Lord, from Your hand
and thank You for the wonder of it.
__________
Reading: Psalm 66:10-14 (NLT)
You have tested us, O God; you have purified us like silver. You captured us in your net and laid the burden of slavery on our backs. Then you put a leader over us. We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance.
Now I come to your Temple with burnt offerings to fulfill the vows I made to you—yes, the sacred vows that I made when I was in deep trouble.
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Reading: Proverbs 1:10-15 (NLT)
My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!
They may say, “Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.”
My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths.
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Reading: Mark 14:37-38 (NLT)
Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
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Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ: I thank you. Through your cross and resurrection you offer freedom and hope to those ready to receive them. I am ready, Lord; show me your loving-kindness.
+ I am a child of the day: help me to live in the light of your presence.
+ Guide my thoughts, my words, my actions: so that what I do today may be pleasing to you.
+ Help me to avoid wrongdoing: show me your mercy and your love.
+ Through your passion and death you have won life for me: give me the strength of your Holy Spirit.
Lord God: Strengthen in my heart the faith you have given me. Keep me awake and alert, so that no trials may quench the fire your Spirit has kindled within me. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Stay with me” – Taize
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Blessing
On the path that is before you, may you have companions on the journey, may you find Christ in the stranger, and may you know the love and blessing of God.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
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