Liturgy Alive St. Bernard, Abbot & Doctor

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

 

Opening Prayer

Lord God, you are pure grace.
You fill with your forgiveness and life
those who recognize their own emptiness
and the need for your mercy.
Grant us not to call attention
to ourselves and the good you allow us to do
but to serve you and people
in the unsophisticated simplicity of our hearts
and to give all glory and honor to you
for the life and grace you bring us
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction
Ruth had adopted the ways of her deceased Jewish husband. Now she is adopted into God’s people.


Gospel Introduction
The Lord abhors duplicity and hypocrisy, particularly in religious leaders. The scribes had rendered a real service by becoming the teachers of Israel during the exile, when the priesthood was on the decline, but later they had gradually turned religious living into a complicated intellectualistic, legalistic and casuistic system of observances, which they themselves did not fully practice. It had become the pride and boast of the pious Pharisees to observe them all and in this way to work their own salvation. On account of this pride, they lacked the true spirit and humility of openness to God’s plans.


 

General Intercessions

– For the People of God, that with courage and honesty we may take to heart the task of renewal and reconciliation, so as to show to the world of today the true face of Christ, we pray:

– For all who seek God with a sincere heart, for all who search for truth and justice, that their hunger may be satisfied, we pray:

– For all Christian communities, that we may be reliable and truthful with one another and that our unity and friendship may be genuine, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, merciful Father,
in these simple signs of bread and wine
you give us the servant of all,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Fill us with his Spirit
of unpretentious service.
Help us to recognize him
as our only source of truth and life,
that you may be our only God and Father
now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord God,
we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ.
He was straightforward
in all he said and did;
he practiced the message he brought to others
and it cost him his life.
Help us to believe his good news
with the whole of our being
and to live by it day after day
in simple sincerity, without any display.
May you thus recognize
the love of your Son present in us
and give us a share in your happiness for ever.

Blessing

We believe in Jesus and in his gospel. Let our lives not contradict our faith, but let our lives tell the story of that faith, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit

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