Tag: Saturday of the First Week of Lent

Morning Prayer: Sat, 11 Mar – Psalm 56:3-4; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ~ build bridges

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentences

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ fasted forty days in the wilderness, and was tempted as we are, yet without sin: give us grace to discipline ourselves in obedience to your Spirit; and, as you know our weakness, so may we know your power to save; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading: Psalm 56:3-4 (NLT)

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.

I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?
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Reading:1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT)

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.
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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: thank you for building a bridge to sinful me through the death of your Son, Jesus Christ, on the cross. Keep my life anchored in him, and my eyes focused on heaven.

+ Lord, move me out of my comfort zone that I may seek opportunities to make new friends.

+ Lord, make me a willing servant and friend, especially in their times of crisis and change.

+ Lord, give me the words to say, and prepare their hearts, to share Good News with them.

Heavenly Father: help me become a bridge builder that I might bring people to Christ – that they be reconciled with you and receive your gracious inheritance of eternal life. Through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Bridge Over Troubled Water” – Anne Murray


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Blessing

The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

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

Morning Prayer: 20 February – Matthew 5:43-48 ~ on loving kindness

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening Sentence

Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. (Isaiah 55:6)

Morning Reading: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

Forgiveness 3

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Morning Prayer

Christ the Lord has made me into a new creation. He gives me a new birth in the waters of baptism and nourishes me with his word and his Spirit. Glory to you, Lord Jesus, you are gentle and humble in spirit, renew me by your grace.

+ Teach me to be a good neighbor to the sad and the needy – that I may imitate you.
+ Grant me something of your compassion towards those who are suffering.
+ Grant me something of your kindness towards those who are needy.
+ Grant me something of your patience towards those who are frustrating.
+ Grant me the gift of your mercy, forgive my sins and deliver me from the evil one.

Turn my heart to you, eternal Father, so that, always seeking the one thing necessary and devoting myself to acts of kindness, I may worship you in spirit and in truth. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Be Thou My Vision” – Anna Weatherup

Closing Sentence

Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously. (Isaiah 55:7)

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

Morning Prayer: 28 Feb – Dt 26:16-19; Mt 5:43-48 ~ holy to the Lord

Saturday of the First Week of Lent

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

Opening sentence and prayer:

Pray for those who persecute you and for those who treat you badly: in this way you will be sons of your Father in heaven, says the Lord.
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Jesus, You are gentle and humble in spirit; grant me something of Your pity, something of Your kindness and something of Your patience towards all men. Teach me to be a neighbour to the sad and the needy; let me imitate You, the good Samaritan. Grant me the gift of Your mercy, pardon my sins and save me from punishment. Renew me, Lord, by Your grace.

Turn my heart to Yourself, eternal Father, so that, always seeking the one thing necessary and devoting myself to acts of KIndness, I may worship You in spirit and in truth. Through my Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 26:16-19 (NLT)

An icon of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya by artist Tony Rezk http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2015/02/24/can-catholics-recognise-the-21-murdered-coptic-christians-as-martyrs/
An icon of the 21 Coptic martyrs of Libya by artist Tony Rezk

“Today the Lord your God has commanded you to obey all these decrees and regulations. So be careful to obey them wholeheartedly. You have declared today that the Lord is your God. And you have promised to walk in his ways, and to obey his decrees, commands, and regulations, and to do everything he tells you. The Lord has declared today that you are his people, his own special treasure, just as he promised, and that you must obey all his commands. And if you do, he will set you high above all the other nations he has made. Then you will receive praise, honor, and renown. You will be a nation that is holy to the Lord your God, just as he promised.”
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Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
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Martyrdom of St Ephraim (click here for story)
Martyrdom of St Ephraim
(click here for story)

A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing:

May the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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