Liturgy Alive Friday, February 12, 2021

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Friday, February 12, 2021

Opening Prayer

Our saving God,?
Jesus your Son made those who were deaf hear ?
and those who were dumb speak.?
Make us see that often we are stutterers ?
and hard of hearing.?
Open our ears to the message of your Son?
that it may stir our hearts and change our lives.?
Loosen our tongues to proclaim?
the great things you do for us?
through your Son, Jesus Christ,?
our Lord and Savior for ever.

First Reading Introduction: You will be like gods, knowing what is good and what is evil.
          Why do people sin? According to the author of Genesis, sinning is not the nature of humans: they were created good. But as far as the memory of people goes, they have sort of rebelled against God, they wanted to be their own masters, to decide for themselves what they wanted. This is put here in the form of a story that expresses also our solidarity in sin.

Gospel Introduction: He makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.
        A sign that Jesus is the Promised Savior is that he first goes to the poor, the sick, the marginalized people, for they need him most. Not only material poverty is meant. The deaf and the mute, the hard of hearing and the stammerers are we who are shut up within ourselves, often closed to God and to one another. Jesus comes to open our ears and mouths to the words and deeds of God, that we may listen to his message and respond to his love, and that we may also hear those who are poor and speak to them. Note that this miracle too happens in pagan territory. Let Jesus in the Eucharist heal us and commit us to God and people.

General Intercessions

–    For the Church, that we may not only love the poor and care for them, but also protest with courage when they are trampled upon, we pray:
–    For educators in the faith—priests, sisters, catechists, teachers—that they themselves may listen to God’s word, and then pass it on with conviction and love, we pray:
–    For those who are deaf and blind to other people and to their love and needs, that their eyes and hearts may be opened to the treasures of love and sharing, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, our God, merciful Father,?
you set the table of your Son?
for rich and poor alike.?
By the strength of this bread of life,?
do not allow us to remain deaf?
to your voice crying out?
in the needs of the poor and the oppressed.?
Teach us and help us to speak to them?
not just words of pity?
but deeds of justice, dignity, and love.?
May this be the sign?
that your Son is alive among us,?
he who is our Lord and Savior for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Saving God,?
in your Son, Jesus Christ, you have chosen?
what is poor and weak in this world,?
to be rich in faith and love?
and to be heirs to your kingdom.?
Jesus did all things well.?
Speak through us who were once?
faint-hearted and tongue-tied?
deeds of mercy and hope,?
for you have healed and freed us all?
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Blessing

Jesus has been with us in this Eucharistic celebration to bring us out of our isolation and to open us in respect and love to God and to our neighbor, that is, to all. Like Jesus, may we become available particularly to the poorest among us and let them feel that, with God, we too care. May Almighty God give you this openness and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

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