Easter, Wednesday, Second, Fourth and Sixth week
Morning Prayer
Reading: Romans 5:10-11
For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Canticle of Zechariah
They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us?” Alleluia!
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
O God, you sent your Son Jesus to reconcile us to you and to show us how to live lives worthy of the name Christian. We pray today for our Mercy family, that we may be worthy of the gifts you have given us:
~ Bless and protect them, we pray.
For our benefactors, that they may be rewarded for their generosity to us and our ministries:
For our associates, that they may grow in their love for the charism of Mercy:
For our Mercy Corps members, that they may be enriched by their Mercy service:
For our employees and co-workers in our Mercy ministries, that they may share in the inspiration of Catherine McAuley:
For those discerning a call to Mercy, that they may recognize and respond to the voice of the Spirit:
For all Sisters of Mercy, that we may be faithful and generous followers of Catherine McAuley:
~ Bless and protect us, we pray.
Our Father
Prayer
O God, look with favor on all those who serve you in the spirit of Mercy. The first disciples of your Son Jesus loved him beyond measure ad followed him even unto death. May our hearts burn with love for him, and may our works show forth the same zeal and generosity. This we ask with confidence in your desire to reconcile all people to yourself. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8, 11-13
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David – that is my gospel. If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he will also deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful – for he cannot deny himself.
Canticle of Mary
Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Alleluia!
Intercessions
Jesus, you taught Simon Peter the power of love by your forgiveness of his betrayal. Help us to forgive all injuries and so to be faithful to your example:
~ May we respond with loving hearts, we pray.
When we are overlooked and others are recognized and rewarded:
When we are injured through the careless or willful intent of others:
When we are offended by the words or deeds of others:
When we are misunderstood and unfairly criticized:
When we are deprived of anything needed for our daily life or ministry:
Our Father
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you cannot deny your very nature. You know everything. You know how often we fail and how much we long to be forgiven. Forgive us our sins and help us our sins and help us to forgive others with the same generosity you showed to Simon Peter, to Mary Magdalene and to your other followers. We make this prayer with confidence in your constant love for us. Amen.