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First Reading: Exodus 12:37-42
The children of Israel set out from Rameses for Succoth,
about six hundred thousand men on foot,
not counting the little ones.
A crowd of mixed ancestry also went up with them,
besides their livestock, very numerous flocks and herds.
Since the dough they had brought out of Egypt was not leavened,
they baked it into unleavened loaves.
They had rushed out of Egypt and had no opportunity
even to prepare food for the journey.
The time the children of Israel had stayed in Egypt
was four hundred and thirty years.
At the end of four hundred and thirty years,
all the hosts of the Lord left the land of Egypt on this very date.
This was a night of vigil for the Lord,
as he led them out of the land of Egypt;
so on this same night
all the children of Israel must keep a vigil for the Lord
throughout their generations.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 136:1 and 23-24, 10-12, 13-15
R./ His mercy endures forever. or: Alleluia.
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his mercy endures forever;
Who remembered us in our abjection,
for his mercy endures forever;
And freed us from our foes,
for his mercy endures forever.
R./ His mercy endures forever. or: Alleluia.
Who smote the Egyptians in their first-born,
for his mercy endures forever;
And brought out Israel from their midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures forever.
His mercy endures forever.
R./ His mercy endures forever. or: Alleluia.
Who split the Red Sea in twain,
for his mercy endures forever;
And led Israel through its midst,
for his mercy endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea,
for his mercy endures forever.
R./ His mercy endures forever. or: Alleluia.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:14-21
The Pharisees went out and took counsel against Jesus
to put him to death.
When Jesus realized this, he withdrew from that place.
Many people followed him, and he cured them all,
but he warned them not to make him known.
This was to fulfill what had been spoken through Isaiah the prophet:
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom I delight;
I shall place my Spirit upon him,
and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.
He will not contend or cry out,
nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
A bruised reed he will not break,
a smoldering wick he will not quench,
until he brings justice to victory.
And in his name the Gentiles will hope.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
you gave us Jesus, your Son,
as the wise and perfect servant
of you and of the people.
Put your Spirit on us too,
that like him and with him,
we may bring your healing and justice
to the weak and the dispossessed,
without calling attention to ourselves,
that people may see that what we give them
is your tender care as taught us
by Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: This was a night of vigil for the Lord as he led them out of the land of Egypt.
In the first reading, we hear how the people of God starts its march to a land of their own where they can serve God in freedom and be the living kingdom of God: the Promised Land. But the journey will be long, slow-paced, marked with sufferings, confusions and hesitations, momentary revolts and betrayals. But God is with them: he does not sleep, says today’s text. For the Hebrews and for us, God stands sentinel in the night.
Gospel Reading Introduction: He warned them not to make him known to fulfill what had been spoken.
Jesus is presented today as the servant of God who brings healing to the people without drawing attention to himself: He brings God’s tender care to people. He respects and heals what is little and brittle.
General Intercessions
– That we may learn from Jesus to be discreet in our love and service to the poor, we pray:
– That we may learn from Jesus to be very respectful of people and care especially for those wounded in life, we pray:
– That Jesus may give us his Holy Spirit to work for justice and righteousness in our world, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
this bread and this wine will become
the Lamb of God, Jesus your Son.
We remember that he shed his blood,
that our sins may be forgiven.
Let him be our food and drink today,
that we may pass with him from death to life
and that we may truly be your people,
born to be free
and to make one another free
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you have called us to be brothers and sisters
of Jesus your Son,
and to share in his task
of serving and healing.
Fill us with his compassion
and his discreet and tender love,
that lifts up those broken in life
and those wounded by sin.
Help us to restore people in their human dignity
and to make them aware that they are
sons and daughters you love
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
We have heard God say about Jesus that he is the servant he likes. Jesus makes us servants with him. May we too, be pleasing to God, and may Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
