Liturgy Alive Saturday, February 1, 2020

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Saturday, February 1, 2020

Opening Prayer

Lord, our God, merciful Father,
you do not seek the death of sinners,
but that they repent and live.
Your heart is too large to reject us
when we have been unfaithful to you.
Open our eyes to our share
in the evil in and around us;
give us new hearts,
humble in recognizing your patient mercy.
Make us toward our neighbor
understanding, patient, and forgiving
for you have brought us pardon and peace
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction
      One of the most poignant, dramatic pages of the Old Testament is read to us today. David, the faithful servant of God, has committed adultery and murder. The prophet arouses the king's indignation against those committing injustice and then tells David: That is what you have done! That man is you! The king's acknowledgment and repentance is immediate and deep; God's forgiveness too is instantaneous and absolute. "That person is you" applies often to us too; when we judge and condemn, is it not often our faults we condemn in others?

Gospel Introduction

     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 many who bear the burden of sin and guilt; for those who suffer from the sins of others, that they may keep trusting in God's forgiveness and goodness, we pray:
– For those who are hardened in sin, that they may be touched by the Spirit of the Lord to repent and change their ways, we pray:
– For ourselves and those dear to us, that the good there is in us may be stronger than evil in us and around us, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Merciful Father,
humbly we bring before you
this bread and this wine
as an offering of reconciliation.
Let your Son be, here among us,
the Lamb that takes our sins away
and restores us in your love.
And may our bonds with you and each other
become closer and deeper,
because we have experienced your forgiveness
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God of mercy,
we know that we are the people
who have failed you and one another
by our inability to love and serve,
our fear from committing ourselves,
our guilty silence.
Help us to brave
the waves and the storms of life
by the strength of this Eucharist.
Grant this through Christ Jesus, our Lord.

Blessing

Our patient God is a merciful, forgiving, loving God. That should also be our own attitude and the mark of our communities. May God give you this patient, forgiving love, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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