Holy Family Sunday
+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Opening prayer:
Today we honor the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph… and pray for all who are part of our families – those still alive and those who have joined the great family of God in heaven.
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O God, You cradle us at the beginning of life and embrace us at our journey’s end, for You love us as Your own. Bind our families together and deepen our faith, that, like the Holy Family of Nazareth, we may grow in wisdom and obedience to Your word.
We ask this through Jesus Christ, Your Word made flesh, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, in the splendor of eternal light, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old testament: Genesis 15:1-6; 21:1-3 (NLT)
Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”
And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
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The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would. And Abraham named their son Isaac.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 105:1-6, 8-9 (NLT)
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the Lord.
Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given, you children of his servant Abraham, you descendants of Jacob, his chosen ones.
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He always stands by his covenant — the commitment he made to a thousand generations. This is the covenant he made with Abraham and the oath he swore to Isaac.
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A Reading from the Letters: Colossians 3:12-17 (NLT)
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 2:22, 39-40 (NLT)
Bartolome Esteban Murillo, c. 1650
Museo del Prado, Madrid, Spain
Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
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When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
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Intercessions:
As members of God’s family, we pray to the Lord, whose love surpasses all others:
+ For all Christian families – that values like patience, understanding and tolerance may be their hallmark…. Lord, hear us
+ For families in difficulty – that they may receive the love and support they need…. Lord, hear us
+ For grandparents and all older people – that, like Simeon and Anna, their hopes for the next generation may be fulfilled…. Lord, hear us
+ For single people of all ages – that their Christian commitment may be seen in gentleness and concern for others…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who suffer in family life – that healing and hope may be God’s gift to them in the New Year…. Lord, hear us
+ For all the members of our families who have died, whom we remember now…. Lord, hear us
+ For those who died recently… and for the people from our communities who died during 2014 – that they may see the face of God…. Lord, hear us
O God, You remember Your covenant forever: hear the prayers of those who seek Your help, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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Benediction:
Through the incarnation of his Son God has scattered the darkness of the world, and by Christ’s glorious birth, which angels announced to the shepherds, has brightened this most holy day.
May the God of infinite goodness banish the darkness of sin from your hearts and make them radiant with the light of goodness. May God fill you with the joy of the shepherds and make you heralds of the gospel. May the God who joins heaven and earth fill you with peace and goodwill and unite you in fellowship with the Church in heaven.
May almighty God bless you, now and forever.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen
The Peanut Gallery 