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Presider’s Page for 18 January (Ordinary Time 2)

Opening Comment
Now that the Christmas season is behind us and we are moving into the New Year, the liturgy challenges us to reflect on what following Christ means. We gather as God’s people, called to follow the Lamb of God and we praise God, with thanksgiving.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
From our earliest days, O God,
you call us by name.
Make our ears attentive to your voice,
our spirits eager to respond,
that, having heard you in Jesus your anointed one,
we may draw others to be his disciples.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings  
1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 — God’s call is described in the first reading and Gospel today: in this reading, Samuel learns how to answer God’s call.
1 Corinthians 6:13-15 — For the next five Sundays, readings are taken from Paul’s first letter to the people of Corinth, which includes guidelines for a young Christian community.  In this Sunday’s excerpt, Paul teaches about sexual morality.
John 1:35-42 — The Gospel decribes the first few who decided to follow Jesus, as St John records it.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us put words on our needs and bring them to God.

  1. For all the baptised — that they may answer the call to follow Christ every day (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For unity among Christians — that our closeness to Christ may draw us closer to each other  (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For migrants and refugees — that in the hospitality of Christians, they may experience God’s compassion (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For believers suffering persecution — that the world may stand up for them and protect their rights  (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. For parents and teachers — that by their words and actions, they may point out the Lamb of God (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. For the elderly and all who are lonely — that they may have our support these winter days (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For those who have died recently (especially N and N), and all our dead, that God who delivered Jesus from death may raise them too (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God our creator, you stoop down to hear our cry: grant our petitions, we pray you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Here I am Lord’; ‘Christ be near at either hand’; ‘Servant Song’.

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