Sunday: First , Third, Fifth Weeks
Evening Prayer 1
Reading: 2 Corinthians 6: 1- 4a
We urge you not to accept the grace of God in vain. For God says, “At an acceptable time I have listened to you, and on a day of salvation I have helped you.” See , now is the acceptable time ; see, now is the day of salvation ! We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry , but as servants of God we have commended ourselves in every way.
Canticle of Mary
My yoke is easy , and my burden is light.
I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on
all ages will call me blest.
For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
and lets the rich go hungry.
God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.
Intercessions
Jesus , as we carry out our mission of Mercy, may we be ever mindful of your grace which sustains and guides our ministries:
--- Pour out your mercy through us.
May we be guided by prayerful consideration of the needs of our time:
May we be guided by Catherine McAuley’s preferential love for the poor:
May we be guided by Catherine McAuley’s special concern for women:
May we be guided by the pastoral priorities of the universal and local church:
May we be guided by a knowledge of our talents, resources and limitations:
Prayer
Jesus , we recognize our own weakness and we know that only through your mercy can we be merciful. In time of trial, in the midst of our daily work, whenever we feel doubt or confusion, enlighten and strengthen us so that we may do your holy will. May our deeds of mercy express your mercy to a suffering world. We make this prayer with gratitude for your unfailing goodness to us. Amen.
BLESSING
Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Morning Prayer
Reading : Nehemiah 8: 9b-10b
This day is holy to the lord your God; do not mourn or weep. This day is holy to our Lord; and do not be grieved , for the joy of the Lord is your strength .
Canticle of Zechariah
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights , and afterwards he was famished.
Praise the Lord, the God of Israel,
who shepherds the people and sets them free.
God raises from David’s house
a child with power to save.
Through the holy prophets
God promised in ages past
to save us from enemy hands,
from the grip of all who hate us.
The Lord favored our ancestors
recalling the sacred covenant,
the pledge to our ancestor Abraham,
to free us from our enemies,
so we might worship without fear
and be holy and just all our days.
And you child, will be called
Prophet of the Most High,
for you will come to prepare
a pathway for the Lord
by teaching the people salvation
through forgiveness of their sin.
Out of God’s deepest mercy
a dawn will come from on high,
light for those shadowed by death,
a guide for our feet on the way to peace.
Intercessions
As morning breaks , we sing to you, O God. This sabbath fills us with praise and wonder for your goodness. With love we pray:
--- Be with us , Savior God.
You invite us to a time of solitude and prayer:
You invite us into the desert to find you:
You invite us to reject the bread that does not lead to eternal life:
You invite us to worship you in spirit and in truth :
You invite us to recognize that all power comes from you:
You invite us to accept your presence and support in our lives:
Prayer
Jesus , our Savior , this season of Lent provided us with a new opportunity to renew our spirits in the light of your example of prayer and penance. Help us to resist temptation from every source and to draw closer to you during these forty days. We ask this with confidence in your constant care for us. Amen.
BLESSING
Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Evening Prayer II
Reading : 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. Athletes exercise self-control in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable one.
Canticle of Mary
The gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life.
I acclaim the greatness of the Lord,
I delight in God my savior,
who regarded my humble state.
Truly from this day on
all ages will call me blest.
For God, wonderful in power,
has used that strength for me.
Holy the name of the Lord!
Whose mercy embraces the faithful,
one generation to the next.
The mighty arm of God
scatters the proud in their conceit,
pulls tyrants from their thrones,
and raises up the humble.
The Lord fills the starving
and lets the rich go hungry.
God rescues lowly Israel,
recalling the promise of mercy,
the promise made to our ancestors,
to Abraham’s heirs for ever.
Intercessions
Lord Jesus, you came that we might have fullness of life :
--- Save your people , Lord.
For people dying from lack of adequate nutrition and health care, we pray:
For people suffering from long standing religious and ethnic hatred, we pray:
For people fleeing from repressive regimes, we pray:
For people searching for meaningful employment , we pray:
For people longing for human rights and self-determination , we pray:
For people hungering for a knowledge of you , we pray :
Prayer
Jesus , recalling your words that you are one with your suffering members , we see you in the faces of many peoples. Enlighten and guide us so that we may use our Mercy ministries as a means of helping them and serving you.
BLESSING
Purify our hearts, O God, that we may be freed from sin. Amen.
Renew our hearts, O God, that they may burn with love for you. Amen.
Open our hearts, O God, that we may welcome all persons as our brothers and sisters. Amen.