Liturgy Alive Feast of the Holy Family
Greeting (See the Gospel)
Our eyes are seeing the saving love
which the Lord has prepared for all to see,
a light to enlighten the nations
and the glory of his people.
This light is Jesus our Lord.
May the Lord Jesus be always with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. For Holy Families Today
On this Feast of the Holy Family we think of all the Christian families. Are there holy families outside the one of Nazareth? Yes, there are, each in its own unique way, if the members, parents and children, love and respect one another and let God nourish and deepen their affection; yes, if food and joy and cares are shared; yes, if clashes are resolved in a way that lets people grow together in forgiveness and understanding; yes, there are holy families where the door is open in hospitality and where the Lord himself is welcomed in people who are poor and suffering. It is the Lord himself who welcomes us here today.
B. A Family Where Children Can Grow Up
In today's celebration of the Holy Family our Christian families are given a model. In many ways the Holy Family of Nazareth was unique and impossible to imitate. Today's scriptures stress one way in which all our families can follow them: seeking God's will and obeying it and finding joy and happiness in it even when that will demand sacrifices. Jesus is shown as someone who, from the child he was at Christmas, grew up to full maturity and who would carry out God's will to the very end. Like him, may we grow to maturity in our faith and our love.
Penitential Act
Let us ask the Lord to forgive us
for the times we have hurt one another
in our families and communities.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, let your servants see
the peace of your forgiveness:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you are the light of all the nations
and the salvation of the whole world:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the glory of your people,
the sign of God's mercy:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
reconcile us with you and with one another.
Live in our homes and communities
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray to our Father
to make us all one family in Christ
(PAUSE)
God our Father,
you gave to your Son Jesus Christ
the warmth and security of a family
with Mary and Joseph at Nazareth.
Make your Son also share the life
of all our Christian families
and make your Church a community
where we learn to accept and help one another
as members of one family.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: A Son As The Sign Of The Covenant
As a sign that God would keep his covenant with Abraham, God promises him a son in his old age. Abraham believed and was given a son.
Second Reading Introduction: The Faith Of Abraham, Sarah And Isaac
Abraham, with his household, is to all of us a model of faith in God and his promises.
Gospel Introduction: A Light To Enlighten The Nations
Mary and Joseph are told that the child Jesus is not theirs to keep for themselves. They must give him to all as the Savior of everyone and accept the difficulties of this mission.
General Intercessions
On this feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth, let us pray to God our Father as one family of God's sons and daughters. Let us say: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
- For God's family of the Church, that it may keep defending respect for life, the call to fidelity and love, the sacredness of the marriage bond, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
- For mothers like Mary, with a warm heart and a spirit of service, for mothers who keep caring for their children and teaching them generosity and courage, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
- For fathers like Joseph: industrious, sacrificing, and serving God, for parents who prepare their children to become free and responsible adults, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
- For couples who live together as strangers, that they may discover one another in patience and forgiveness and mutual trust, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
- For children, that as they grow up they may appreciate their parents and be grateful to them; for grandparents, that children and grandchildren may help and love them in the evening of their life, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord
- For all of us here gathered in the Eucharist, that we may share each other's lives and concerns as one big, caring family, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
Lord our God, Jesus grew up in a human family. May Mary and Joseph teach us to let Jesus grow up in us, for he is our Lord for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
you invite us to share the family table
of Jesus your Son.
May the food and drink he gives us
change us into gifts to one another,
that we may become each other's
bread and wine, life and joy.
Let serving love and respect
be our offering to one another and to you,
today and tomorrow and every day,
on account of your Son in our midst,
Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
We thank today our Father for having given us the Holy Family as a model of love and service for all our homes. May our families be as responsive to God as the Holy Family was.
Introduction to the Lord's Prayer
United before God as his sons and daughters
we pray the prayer taught us
by his Son, Jesus of Nazareth . R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil
and let the peace of Christ live
in our hearts and our homes.
Keep us from all that divides us
or encloses us within ourselves.
Give us compassion, gentleness, and patience,
that we may prepare in hope and joy
the full coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord,
who comes to unite us
as sons and daughters of the Father.
Happy are we to be invited
at the family table of the Lord. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
Jesus your Son made himself near to us
in this Eucharistic celebration.
He has been here for us
approachable and available to all.
May he keep on living
in our homes and our communities.
Let him make us approachable
and available to one another,
even at the cost of personal discomfort
and, with Mary and Joseph,
ready for any task you may entrust to us.
For we can do everything
in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
It was good to be together
as the family of God's people
and to pray with the Holy Family of Nazareth
for what is dear to all of us:
our homes, our families,
the Christian community,
the family of our nation and people.
May God bless you all
and keep you united:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.
