Liturgy Alive Monday, April 3, 2017

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Monday, April 3, 2017

Introduction

The first reading gives us the story about the restoring to life of the son of the hospitable woman of Shunem, who had given shelter to the prophet Elisha. The Gospel gives us the dramatic account of Jesus raising Lazarus. The greatest problems in human life are certainly the enemies of life: suffering and death. When we look up to Jesus, we see that he gave meaning to suffering by making it a way to serve God and people. He overcame our ultimate enemy, death, by coming to life again, by rising from the dead. Today, we see him defeating death not only in himself but in people, by raising his friend Lazarus. Let us ask him in this eucharist for a strong faith in the resurrection, which he prepares for us too.

Opening Prayer

Just and merciful God,
you take pity even on sinners
and you continue with them
a dialogue of grace and hope.
Help us never to condemn,
never to give up on people,
but to be patient, understanding, and forgiving,
together with you and Jesus, your Son,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever.

General Intercessions

–    For those among us, for whom it is very hard to forgive those who have hurt us, that we may be Christian enough to pardon and seek reconciliation, we pray:
–    For people who have been falsely accused, that the truth may always prevail, we pray:
–    For our communities, that we may still have a place for those who have erred, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, almighty Father,
you sent your Son among people
to serve rather than to be served.
Whatever power we have over others,
whether much or little,
may we never abuse it nor enjoy it for its own sake,
but may we always use it to serve and to encourage
like Jesus, your Son in our midst,
who lives with you for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Merciful God,
we have listened to the words of Jesus
and we are convinced
that he is the light of the world.
Give us also a clearer insight and faith
in what he did and does for people,
his healing, his forgiveness, his unbounded love,
for in them, you bear witness to him
that he is your beloved Son, our Savior and Lord.

Blessing

“I too do not condemn you.” May these be words we learn to say. Are we without sin? So, no stone-throwing on anyone. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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