18th Ordinary Sunday: Isaiah 55:1-3; Psalm 145:8-9, 15-16, 17-18; Romans 8:35, 37-39; Matthew 14:13-21 ~ on God’s love

18TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

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

Opening prayer:

Bountiful and compassionate God, You place in the hands of Your disciples the food of life. Nourish us at Your holy table, that we may bear Christ to others and share with them the gifts we have so richly received. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
__________

__________

A Reading from the Old testament: Isaiah 55:1-3 (NLT)

“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink — even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk — it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food.

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David….”

__________

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 145 (NLT)

__________

A Reading from the Letters: Romans 8:35, 37-39 (NLT)

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
_____

No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow — not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
__________

__________

Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes Chora Church and Museum Istanbul — Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes
Chora Church and Museum
Istanbul

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 14:13-21 (NLT)

As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

That evening the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”

But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary — you feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered.

“Bring them here,” he said. Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children!

__________

Intercessions:

The Lord is kind and full of compassion – Lord, hear our prayers:

+ For all believers – that we may grow in appreciation of Your kindness….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who suffer persecution for their faith, particularly Iraqi Christians – that people of good will may defend them….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who hunger and thirst in a world of plenty – that Christians may reflect Your generosity by continuing to share what they have….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all refugees, forced to abandon their homes in war-torn lands – that they may find generous provision and godly protection….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all weak and vulnerable people – that You might be their shield and defender through the good offices of Your people….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all people who are travelling, on holidays or on pilgrimage – that they may travel safely and come home refreshed….
Lord, hear us.

+ For all who have died, especially through war and strife – that those grieving may realise that nothing can separate us from Your love….
Lord, hear us.

God our creator, You are close to all who call on You from their hearts: Continue to show us your compassion and love, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

__________

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

Easter Sunday: John 20:1-9 NLT – He’s alive!

Reading: John 20:1-9 NLT

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings.

Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed— for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.

Spiritual Song: “He’s Alive!” – Don Francisco

Pro-Life Strong in New York

Never give up. Never, ever, give up. Because, in the end, God wins!

Biltrix

“Just two days after Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, voiced his opinion that those who value a “right to life” have no place in the state, Cardinal Dolan made clear faithful Catholics in New York will continue to join with ecumenical allies in making the state more hospitable to the unborn, helping mothers and fathers to love and provide for their children.” — National Review Online

On Sunday, January 19, Cardinal Timothy Dolan celebrated the Archdiocese’s Pro-Life Mass with over 2,000 present at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to begin what the Cardinal referred to as “Pro-Life week.”

View original post 136 more words

1st Sunday in Advent: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44 ~ suddenly… out of Zion

THE SEASON OF ADVENT: please see resources below.

Advent is the traditional season of preparation for the coming of Jesus. It’s a time to prepare for Christmas – when Jesus first came into the world, in humility, as a baby. And, it’s also a time of longing for Jesus’ second coming, in glory, as King of kings and Lord of lords. We don’t know when that will be. But the Bible says, “Be prepared! It could happen at any time.”

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

Opening sentence:

Lord Jesus, Prepare my heart to welcome You as the Season of Advent unfolds. Keep my mind focused on the miracle of Your presence within me. Quiet my spirit so that I can find rest and comfort in You. And make me a person of prayer, especially for those You place in my path. Give me a spirit of expectation and longing for Your coming Kingdom as I enter into Your presence today. May I worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Amen.

A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 2:1-5 (NLT)

This is a vision that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:

In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s house will be the highest of all — the most important place on earth. It will be raised above the other hills, and people from all over the world will stream there to worship. People from many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of Jacob’s God. There he will teach us his ways, and we will walk in his paths.” For the Lord’s teaching will go out from Zion; his word will go out from Jerusalem. The Lord will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore.

Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 122 (NLT)

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
And now here we are,
standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is a well-built city;
its seamless walls cannot be breached.
All the tribes of Israel—the Lord’s people—
make their pilgrimage here.
They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord,
as the law requires of Israel.
Here stand the thrones where judgment is given,
the thrones of the dynasty of David.

Pray for peace in Jerusalem.
May all who love this city prosper.
O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls
and prosperity in your palaces.
For the sake of my family and friends, I will say,
“May you have peace.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.

A Reading from the Paul’s Letter to the Church in Rome: Romans 13:11-14 (NLT)

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 24:36-44 (NLT)

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

“When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.

“Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming. Understand this: If a homeowner knew exactly when a burglar was coming, he would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”

Intercessions:

Gracious God, my Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your kindness and love for me… sending Your Son to live among us, sending Your Spirit to dwell within me… and filling me with the confident hope that one day all will be made right when Jesus comes again in glory. Hear my prayers today as I approach You, in all the humility that I can muster, on behalf of Your people:

+ Fill Your people with a spirit of preparation and expectation… for Jesus’ return in glory as King of kings and Lord of lords.

+ Give us a spirit of welcome and hospitality… as we invite the Living Lord into our present lives.

+ Fill us with a spirit of hope… even in these dark and dreary days and break our bondage, our resignation, to the way things are – so that we can focus our attention to the way things will be when Your Kingdom comes in all its fulness.

+ Give us a spirit of excitement… the night is almost over, it will soon be light, our salvation is near.

+ Fill us with a spirit of courage… to choose Christ, whose light alone can lead us into a future of his making?

+ Give us a spirit of boldness… to share the vision of Kingdom come – to a world threatened by the violence of war, a world grown accustomed to infidelity, a world trapped in its own indifference.

+ Fill us with a spirit of adventure… to abandon the past, and to begin a journey into the future You have prepared for us.

During this Advent season I welcome You, Lord Jesus, into my life and daily routine. You alone can transform my broken hopes and heal my forgotten hurts. You alone can bring peace to my sinful life. You alone can fill my life with the joy of worship: “I rejoiced when I heard them say: Let us go to God’s house!” Amen.

Hymn: O Come, Emmanuel – The Piano Guys

O come, O come, Emmanuel / And ransom captive Israel / That mourns in lonely exile here / Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free / Thine own from Satan’s tyranny / From depths of Hell Thy people save / And give them victory o’er the grave
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer / Our spirits by Thine advent here / Disperse the gloomy clouds of night / And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come, / And open wide our heavenly home; / Make safe the way that leads on high, / And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, Thou Lord of might, / Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai’s height, / In ancient times did’st give the Law, / In cloud, and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel / Shall come to thee, O Israel.

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

_________________________________________

THE SEASON OF ADVENT:

+ Online Advent Calendar – US Catholic Conference of Bishops

+ Online Advent Calendar for Adults – Loyola Press

+ Busted Halo’s Surprise Advent Calendar

+ 2013 Advent Devotion Apps, eBooks and More! | ChurchMag

Christ the King: Psalm 22:1-5; 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Colossians 1:12-20; Luke 23:35-43 ~ Christus Victor

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

Opening sentence: The Spirit of God lives in us, inspiring and guarding. In the Spirit, we worship our creator and entrust ourselves to the Lord’s loving care.

As we prepare to approach God’s throne of grace, we call to mind our sins: (pause). Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom … You come in word and sacrament to strengthen us in holiness … You will come in glory with salvation for your people: Lord, have mercy.

A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 22:1-5 (NLT)

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief.

Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.

A Reading from the Old Testament: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 (NLT)

Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’”

So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel.

Christ the King (Polish: Pomnik Chrystusa Króla)is a statue of Jesus Christ in Świebodzin, Poland in the western Poland, completed on 6 November 2010. — Christ the King (Polish: Pomnik Chrystusa Króla) is a statue of Jesus Christ in Świebodzin, Poland in the western Poland, completed on 6 November 2010.

A Reading from the Pastoral Letters: Colossians 1:11-20 (NLT)

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 23:35-43 (NLT)

The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”

But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Intercessions:

King Jesus – You have defeated the powers of sin, death and evil. You alone are the One who Saves. Hear my prayers:

+ For bishops, priests, pastors, deacons and all who minister in Your name in every tribe and nation – wisdom and sound judgement as they lead Your church. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

+ For the leaders of the nations and all in authority, and for mercy, justice, and peace among all peoples – especially in the Middle East. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

+ For all those in danger and need: the sick and the suffering, prisoners, captives, and their families, the hungry, homeless, and oppressed – especially those who are persecuted for their faith. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

+ For abundant fruits of the earth, and for their distribution with thankful hearts and a spirit of generosity to those in need – especially those suffering devastation and loss through natural disasters. (pause) Lord have mercy.

+ For my city and those who live in it, and for my family, friends, and those I love. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

+ For those who rest in Christ and for all the dead, born and unborn, and those who mourn their loss. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

+ For deliverance from all affliction, strife, and need – may Your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. (pause) Lord, have mercy.

God of the ages, who reconciles all things to Yourself in Christ, hear the prayers I offer this day and remember me in your kingdom; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

Hymn: “King Jesus” – Jeremy Camp

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

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: