Liturgy Alive Saturday, February 1, 2014

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Saturday, February 1, 2014

Opening Prayer

God of power and might,
when we cry out to you in the tempest of life,
reassure us that you care and that you are with us,
even when you seem absent and silent.
Let our faith remain calm and peaceful
and deepen it in every trial.
Keep us believing that the waves obey you,
and that at your command, the powers of evil cannot harm us.
Stay with us through your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction: He was looking forward to the city whose architect and maker is God.
          Faith is a trust and commitment that express themselves in a mentality, an attitude of one’s whole life that sees beyond the appearance of things and lives accordingly, with total trust in God’s future. This kind of faith moved Abraham, the pagan, to follow an unknown God to a destiny of human insecurity. It is a faith that helps us to hold on without fear when the Church is rocked by the waves of our times. Is this our kind of faith?

 

Gospel Introduction: Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?
        Many people are afraid today. Our times are very insecure in many aspects, with wars, violence, and economic and moral crises. Life seems to move too fast for many. And the Church, in its leaders and members, is often upset and afraid. God seems far away, like a God who sleeps, a God who seems indifferent to our fears and incertitude. Where are our faith and hope? Let us turn to him who journeys with us and wakes us up, Jesus, our Lord and brother here among us.

General Intercessions

–    For the Church of Jesus Christ, that its faith and love may not waver in the difficulties and storms of our time, we pray:
–    For those who doubt their faith and are afraid of facing the future, that God may give them courage and that we may refresh their hope, we pray:
–    For sailors and fishers, that the sea may be peaceful and generous to them; for all who travel, that they may safely reach their destination, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Keep alive in us Lord, our God,
our faith and trust in you
through the bread of love and justice
of your Son, Jesus Christ.
Even when we do not know
what the future will bring,
keep us going to the city with foundations
of which you are the designer and builder,
the city of justice, peace, and lasting love
proclaimed to us by Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
by the stirring word of your Son
you have called us, people of little faith,
away from our safe security.
By his bread of life, you have restored our strength.
When the waves and winds of fear
threaten to engulf us and to blow us off-course,
keep us and all your people firm
with the assurance that your Son is with us
and that he will never desert us,
for he is our Lord, for ever and ever.

Blessing

This has been a celebration of encouragement and trust. Jesus has assured us: “I am with you. Do not fear. Face life and its problems, as a Church and as persons. Trust me.” May Almighty God give you this trusting faith and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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