Liturgy Alive Saturday, February 27, 2016

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Introduction

When we forgive those who have hurt us, often some scars remain and take a long time to heal. Even if we have not personally suffered from a crime, we cry for blood and vengeance in the name of society. And we don’t treat a released prisoner or a sinner, who has made up for his failure, as if he had done no wrong. But God does. He remains faithful to the love once given. He comes forward both to welcome the returning sinner and to invite the brother or sister who has a hard time to welcome his lost brother or sister to share in the joy of forgiveness and his return.

 

Opening Prayer

Faithful Father, you are our God
of grace, mercy, and forgiveness.
When mercy and pardon
sound paternalistic to modern ears,
make us realize, Lord,
that you challenge us to face ourselves
and to become new people,
responsible for the destiny of ourselves
and for the happiness of others.
Make us responsive to your love
through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

 

General Intercessions

–    For priests, that in their pastoral care of the sacrament of reconciliation, they may learn from the Father to be joyful, patient, and uplifting, we pray:
–    For those who have not yet learned to forgive, that they may discover the joy and the peace that the feast of forgiveness brings, we pray:
–    For those who feel guilty, that they may find the courage to seek forgiveness, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

God, our Father,
through your Son, Jesus Christ, in this Eucharist,
you come forward to welcome us
to the joy of forgiveness and peace.
May your Son give us the strength
to be merciful as you are,
that we may build up and welcome
rather than condemn and reject,
for we, too, are in need of your pardon
through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Father in heaven,
your love creates us anew when we have failed.
May our hearts reach out to sinners
and to all those in need
without any condescension.
Keep us carrying out our task
of reconciling and uniting
all races and tongues and social classes
and to build bridges of peace,
that we may go together
toward the joys of your home of welcome.
We ask this through him,
in whose sacrifice of reconciliation we share,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

We have to celebrate and rejoice when brothers and sisters of ours had been dead and have come back to life through forgiveness; they were lost and have been found. Rejoice, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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