Tag: USCCB Daily Readings

Third Sunday after Pentecost – 10 Jun – Mark 3:20-25 ~ Christ crushed Satan’s power

Third Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God our Redeemer, in Jesus, your promised Messiah, you crushed the power of Satan. Sustain your people in our struggle against evil, that, hearing your word and doing your will, we may be fashioned into a household of true disciples who share in the victory of the cross. Grant 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. Amen.
__________

“All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name” – Michael W. Smith


__________

Gospel Reading: Mark 3:20-25 (NLT)

One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.

But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

Jesus called them over and responded with an illustration. “How can Satan cast out Satan?” he asked. “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse. Similarly, a family splintered by feuding will fall apart.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord God: hear our prayers as we approach your throne of grace to receive mercy in our time of need –

+ For believers around the world— that we may always bear witness to your loving-kindness, mercy, and grace….
+ For those who are fearful and anxious — that they may experience your loving-kindness and receive hope….
+ For those struggling with difficult situations at home — that they may receive the help they need….
+ For those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit — that they may receive the healing they need….
+ For those who are dispossessed and displaced – that they may receive mercy and help in their time of need….
+ For those who are suffering for their faith – that they may be delivered from evil and their persecutors crushed….
+ For those who are traveling, especially during the summer – that may return home safely, rejoicing at the wonders you have shown them….
+ For those who have died in Christ – that they may live forever, rejoicing in your eternal glory….

With you, O Lord, there is mercy and fullness of redemption – hear our prayers and show us your loving-kindness, through Jesus Christ our Lord who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
__________

“From The Depths of Woe” – Indelible Grace


__________

Blessing – 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (CEV)

We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day. These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen.
__________

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

Second Sunday after Pentecost – 03 Jun – Mark 2:23-28 ~ a Sabbath day of rest

Second Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, Maker of Heaven and Earth – May this Sabbath day be about you. Quiet my heart, give rest to my soul, and refocus my spirit—for true renewal comes only from you. Holy Spirit please help me to be intentional with my time and worship, and encourage me to find rest in you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
__________

“Gadol Adonai” – Sarah Liberman (Lev Tahor • A Pure Heart)


__________

Deuteronomy 5:12-14 (NLT)

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God….”
__________

Gospel Reading: Mark 2:23-28 (NLT)

One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples began breaking off heads of grain to eat. But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

Jesus said to them, “Haven’t you ever read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God (during the days when Abiathar was high priest) and broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. He also gave some to his companions.”

Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, and not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!”
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Heavenly Father – Grant us rest for our souls; and display your loving-kindness to all whose needs we bring before you. Lord, hear our prayers –

+ That your presence may dwell within all who put their faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ….
+ That our faith and trust in your Son, Jesus Christ, might continue to grow stronger….
+ That all believers may be refreshed and renewed through the Bread of Life and the Cup of Salvation….
+ That all believers may be guided along the path of Life by your Word and Spirit in every decision made….
+ That all believers who suffer because of their faith may be delivered from evil and sustained by your grace….
+ That all who are destitute because of war and violence may receive comfort and rest for their souls….
+ That all who are burdened by responsibility and worry may receive relief and rest for their souls…
+ That all who have gone before us in faith may be raised to eternal life and rest forever in your presence….

Heavenly Father: you sent your Son to share our burdens and our hopes, to be our life and strength: hear our prayers and grant us the rest for our souls that we so desperately need – we ask through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
__________

“The Lord Bless You And Keep You”


__________

Blessing

May the Lord bless and protect you;
May he show you mercy and loving-kindness.
May the Lord be good to you and give you peace;
Through his Son, Jesus Christ
__________

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

Holy Trinity Sunday – 27 May – Matthew 28:16-20 ~ Make disciples of all nations!

Holy Trinity Sunday

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us your grace, by confession of faith, to acknowledge your glory – revealed as Father, Son and Spirit – and, in the power of your Majesty, to worship your Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Holy Holy Holy” – The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir


__________

Gospel Reading: Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT)

Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord our God – Father ,Son, and Spirit: you made us and honor us with dignity and loving-kindness; hear our prayers –

+ That all who go out in your name may proclaim Christ’s love with power and conviction….
+ That all who are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit may grow in faith….
+ That all who confirm, or re-confirm, their faith may be guided by the Holy Spirit….
+ That all believers who suffer for their faith in Christ may have courage and perseverance….
+ That all who face year-end school exams may receive results reflecting their abilities….
+ That all who are sick may experience your comfort and healing power….
+ That all who have died in Christ may be welcomed into his endless Kingdom….

Lord our God, Creator of all that is, Redeemer of the world, Sanctifier of your people, hear our prayers, and grant us the mercy and grace in our times we need, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Hineini (Here Am I)” – Joshua Aaron


__________

Blessing – Romans 8:14-17 (NLT)

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
__________

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

Pentecost Sunday – 20 May – Acts 2:1-11, John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 ~ Come Holy Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday

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

Opening Prayer

Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal like to every tribe and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth: through Jesus Christ our Lord; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
__________

“Fire In The Night – Shavuot (Pentecost)” – by Rick Ridings


__________

Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
__________

Gospel Reading: John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 (NLT)

“I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.
_____

“There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me. All that belongs to the Father is mine; this is why I said, ‘The Spirit will tell you whatever he receives from me.’”
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Loving God, We ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit to help us pray as we ought. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

+ We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression: for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger…. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

+ We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain; for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement…. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

+ We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit for those living in the shadow of war and violence; for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety and whose Christian life has become hard and dry…. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

+ We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts; for those tempted to do what is wrong…. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

+ We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit for those reaching out to comfort the distressed; for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ…. Holy Spirit: Help Us.

Loving God, We ask for the assurance of your Spirit to know your presence with us

  • in our daily lives:
  • in our relationships;
  • in our work and service;
  • in our worship; and
  • in our times of joy and pain.

Holy Spirit: Help Us. In Jesus’ name: AMEN
__________

“Bo Ruach Elohim” (Come Spirit of God) – Daniel Kopp and Sarah Liberman


__________

Blessing –

‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy…. [And] everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’
__________

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

7th Sunday of Easter – 13 May – John 17:11-19 ~ made one in Christ

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

Father most holy, look upon this people whom you have sanctified by the dying and rising of your Son. Keep us one in love and consecrate us in your truth, that the new life you have given us may bring us to the fullness of joy. Grant this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Holy, Holy, Holy” – Audrey Assad


__________

Gospel Reading: John 17:11-19 (NLT)

Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
__________

Prayers of Intercession:

Lord, grant to your People the unity that your son prayed for on our behalf. Bathe us in the fire and light of your glory, and burn away the dross of our lives as we strive to be made one with you, and one with each other. Kindle in us the fire of your love, so that our lives may reflect your glory to the world and your light and life may be revealed to all people.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for the leaders of the nations, that they may serve with integrity and justice. May our leaders recognize that you are the ultimate source of their gifts, their positions and their power. And may they strive to prove worthy of the trust and confidence which has been placed in them. We praise you for the glories of nature, and the world that you have made which still holds so many wonders for those who take the time to look around them.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, who has made us one community in Christ, may the glory of your presence transform our lives. When we feel discouraged or dispirited by events in our neighborhood, may we all be filled by your Holy Spirit and transformed by your grace. Help us to find the green shoots of regeneration, and then to water and weed them so they may come to fruition in your service.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, we pray for all those who are weak or discouraged, ill or simply weary. We have confidence that you will support them and us all the day long of this difficult life, until the shadows lengthen, the evening comes, and our work in this busy world is done.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Lord, when the fever of life is over, in your mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last. We pray for all who have passed through death into life eternal and union with you. We pray through the grace of your son, Jesus Christ, who is alive and reigns with you in glory.

+ Lord, set our hearts on fire with love for you; in your mercy, hear our prayer.
__________

“Song of All Songs” – Jewish & Gentile artists worshiping Jesus from rooftop in Jerusalem


__________

Blessing

This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God.
__________

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