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Presider’s Page for 24 January (Ordinary Time 3)

Opening Comment
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity continues until this Monday. With Christians all over the world, we ask God to give us the unity for which Christ prayed.

Penitential Rite
As we prepare to make the Church’s prayer for unity our own, let us call to mind times we have failed to show love to other Christians: (pause) I confess…

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Lord God,
whose compassion embraces all peoples,
whose law is wisdom, freedom, and joy for the poor,
fulfil in our midst your promise of favour,
that we may receive the gospel of salvation with faith
and, anointed by the Spirit, freely proclaim it.
Grant 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
Nehemiah :2-6,8-10 The Word of God proclaimed by Ezra the priest is so powerful that his listeners weep.
1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Paul urges believers to use all their different gifts in service of the Church.
Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 The first words of Luke’s Gospel are included, as well as the first act of Jesus’ preaching ministry.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) My dear friends in Christ, let us present our prayers with confidence to the Lord.

  1. That sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce peace and justice (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  2. That, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Christians may overcome divisions (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  3. That all who listen with respect to God’s word may put it into practice (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  4. That those who read God’s word in the Liturgy may read with reverence and love (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  5. That all who gather to worship God today in many communities may soon be gathered into one Church (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
  6. That the sick and suffering may be healed, according to God’s will (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for those who have died (especially N and N), that God’s promises to them may be fulfilled (pause for quiet prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Your words are spirit, Lord and they are life; we rely on your help all our days. Let your grace continue to sustain us, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
In your kindness, Lord,
accept our gifts and make them holy,
that they may become the sacrament of our salvation.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time 6)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
In you we live and move and have our being.
Each day we experience the wonders of your love,
and receive even now a pledge and foretaste of life eternal.
Possessing the firstfruits of the Spirit,
through whom you raised Jesus from the dead,
we hope to enjoy his paschal victory for ever.
And so, with all the angels and saints,
we sing the joyful hymn of your praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…..

PRAYER AFTER COMMUION
Grant, all-powerful God,
that we who receive in this eucharist
your life-giving grace
may always delight in your blessings.
We make our prayer in the name of Jesus, the Lord.

SUGGESTED SONGS: Here I Am Lord; Oh the Word of My Lord; Bind us Together Lord; How Great Thou Art.

Similar Posts

An intimate act of love

Articles, Liturgy
3 Comments

Chris McDonnell shares some thoughts on how we could use the ‘washing of the feet’.
“It is also a liturgy that can be shared without raising contentious issues in an ecumenical setting. There need be no divisions in this mutual giving, no barriers of race, age or social status. It fundamentally cuts through these restrictions and offers an example of Christian love in a simple yet powerful manner.”

“An intimate act of love” was first published in the Catholic Times on 10 March 2017

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