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Abide in My Word Abide in My Word Publisher: Zina R. John-Ross Editor-in-Chief: Rev. Fr. George Ehusani Associate Editor: Pinheiro Cyril. Contributors: Bishop Emmanuel Badejo, Msgr. John Aniagwu, Msgr. G. Osu, Rev. Fr. Boniface Wuraola, Rev. Fr. Michael Falade, Rev. Fr. Jerome Ogunleye. E-mail: [email protected]. Imprimatur: ANTHONY CARDINAL O. OKOGIE Archbishop Emeritus of Lagos Archdiocese, Nigeria Abide in My Word (ISSN 0794-8182) is Published by Abide in My Word Publishers. 16 Obokun Street, Off Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos. P. O. Box 2370, Marina, Lagos. Customer Service Tel: +234(1)7749630. Scripture texts used in this magazine are taken from the Revised Standard Version Bible, Catholic Edition C 1965, 1966, 2006 Ignatius Press, San Francisco, California, U.S.A. Used with permission. SUBSCRIPTION/DISTRIBUTION NIGERIA: 16 Obokun Street, Off Coker Road, Ilupeju, Lagos. P. O. Box 2370, Marina, Lagos. GHANA: Ms. Rosemond Hinson, P. O. Box 1313, Madina, Accra Tel: +233-20-384-8773; Mobile: (+233) 027 775 1599 E-mail: [email protected] CAMEROON: Mr. Ndecham Maxwell P. O Box 15540, Douala - Cameroon Tel: (233) 650665840, (233) 696216502 Copyright C 2020 by Abide in My Word Press All rights reserved. CONTENTS Reflection of the month………………………………………………..…...2 Editorial .............................................………………………………...........3 Lauds, Mass, Midday Prayer and Vespers...……..........…………................5 Night Prayer...………………………………...……………………........182 The Eucharistic Liturgy.……………….…………………………...........184 Hymns/The Angelus/Benedictus and Magnificat...............................192-194 Divine Mercy......................................................................................195-197 Eucharistic Exposition/Benediction..........………………………............197 1

Abide in My Word REFLECTION OF THE MONTH BISHOP EMMANUEL BADEJO THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND THE PRIESTHOOD As we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday in the month of May, the reassuring words of Jesus Christ must bring comfort to all. Many in our world today, especially the lonely, the abandoned and despondent need to hear those words repeatedly. “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep…I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for my sheep” (Jn 10:11-15). This declaration, rather than make Christians complacent, should be a call to work in continuous relationship with the good shepherd. We must reflect on what it really means to know Jesus in the manner he described, “just as the father knows me and I know the Father”. Everything that Jesus did in life, death and after his resurrection was in obedience to his Father’s will. The clearest sign that Jesus knew the Father well was that complete obedience (Phil 2:6ff). The highest expression of that is probably the Gethsemane prayer: “My Father… if this cup cannot pass by, but I must drink it, your will be done”(Matt. 26:39). It is because of this integrity of the good shepherd that we are able to smugly pray perhaps the best-known psalm in all the Bible: “The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want…” (Ps. 23). However, the good shepherd, Jesus, did not leave his people orphans. At the Last Supper he instituted the priesthood (Jn. 22) so that Christians can have shepherds to care for them, shepherds who would live according to his heart. To them he gave power to bind and to loose in heaven and on earth (Jn. 20:21-23). It is obvious however that the priesthood of Jesus, subsisting in today’s shepherds has fallen on hard times because of the misconduct and sin of many priests and the bad press which celebrates such evil. Yet Jesus had said to Peter: “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). That perhaps explains why the entire people of God also enjoys a certain degree of participation in the priesthood of Jesus Christ. In that manner the existence and strength of the Church does not depend exclusively on the ministry of ordained priests but draws as well from the faith and integrity of the entire people of God. Hear the evocation of Saint Peter: “But you are a chosen race, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a people to be a personal possession to sing the praises of God who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1Pet.2:9) The mission of the good shepherd must therefore be evident in all those with whom he shared his priesthood and mission. All of us, clergy and lay people, have been endowed with the capacity to know God the Father as he knows us. The evidence of that royal priesthood should be in how we do everything to conform to his will like Christ did, like Mary and Joseph did. The celebration of the good shepherd is therefore an opportunity to confirm total surrender to the Good Shepherd. 2

Abide in My Word EDITORIAL Rev. Fr. George Ehusani JESUS’ CIVILISATION OF LOVE (II) In our practice of love, are we Christians supposed to take our cue from the treatment we receive from others, or are we rather to act in accordance with our nature and the nature of our merciful, compassionate and generous Father in heaven? When confronted with hate, or when we are hurt by those who do not know any other way of living except by wickedness and violence, do we react with the logic of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,” or do we react like Christians who appreciate the dynamics of sacrificial love? With his own life example, Jesus teaches us never to be provoked into taking retaliatory action for wrongs done against us. Our response should always flow from the nature of our discipleship, and not from the wrong we have suffered. The love we Christians offer is not necessarily related to the love we receive from others. The disciple loves because love is the fundamental character of Christian discipleship. The disciple loves because he or she is the son or daughter of the heavenly father who is so gracious that he does not withhold the sun and the rain from those who oppose him. What Jesus asks his disciples to do is simply to imitate God – God who is merciful, compassionate, loving and forgiving. The old law prescribed that the Jews must love their neighbours and hate their enemies. But in asking Christians to love their enemies, Jesus rejects the limitation of love to only those in our immediate environment. No one is excluded from Christian love, not even the persecutor of the Christian faithful. Christian life is indeed a continual attempt to transcend the values and conventions that are regarded as absolute in the human society. Like Jesus, the true Christian necessarily subverts the established order, when he put love, mercy and compassion over and above the demands of mere distributive justice. The true Christian who strives to live out the logic of Christ will often be regarded as a fool or an eccentric. The true Christian takes seriously Christ’s admonition to be compassionate. He or she knows that those who hate are in need. They are often living with broken and divided hearts. Those who hate are often living with the misery and agony of fragmented and unfulfilled lives. Like everyone in need therefore, the Christian is called upon to show compassion to such people, never judging and never condemning them. The action of Christians who attempt to live like Jesus with such a generous heart 3

Abide in My Word towards the enemy or aggressor is often considered foolish in the eyes of the world and in the eyes of those who have reconciled themselves with the evil status quo. But this Christian response is the only way to break the endless cycle of violence which crushes the human society. By following Jesus’ teaching, the Christian as it were steps outside the spiral of violence to live in a different way. True, hatred can only be defeated by love, not by counter hatred. Injury can only be healed by forgiveness, not by vengeance. Evil can only be controlled by goodness, not by more evil; for darkness cannot drive away darkness. This is Jesus’ civilisation of love. It is the wisdom by which he saved the world. Jesus expects his disciples to generously share the gifts they themselves have received. The Christian therefore offers love, because he or she has been a beneficiary of God’s tremendous love, and now he or she must share it with others, irrespective of the disposition of those others. The Christian offers love because there is someone somewhere who is harassed by hatred and who needs love, even when that person does not realise his or her need. The Christian offers mercy and compassion, because someone somewhere is crushed by wrongdoing, and yearns for love, mercy and compassion. True love, mercy and compassion are capable of building temples in the wasteland of hatred, violence and death. Love, mercy and compassion are gifts which introduce people to the forgotten geography of paradise. Love, mercy and compassion are a creative force for goodness. Does this logic of Jesus mean that God accepts evil? No! Never! God has nothing to do with evil. God hates evil. But he loves everyone, even the evil doer. We are dealing here with the mystery of God’s love and Jesus’ civilisation of love. 4

1 FRIDAY, MAY 1ST Abide in My Word Saint Joseph the worker (Optional Memorial) (White) Scripture Reading Acts 5:30-32 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, Today’s Rosary: though you had him killed by hanging The Sorrowful Mysteries him on a tree. God exalted him at his “The saints are Christ. In their heroic right hand as leader and saviour to grant deeds shines Christ’s example, reflected Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. and multiplied through time and space.” We are witnesses of these things, as is —Ade Bethune the Holy Spirit that God has given to MORNING PRAYER those who obey him. V/ Lord, open our lips, Benedictus Ant: Whoever eats my flesh R/ And we shall praise your name and drinks my blood shall live in me and Glory be... I in him, alleluia. Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 Ant: Come into the Lord’s presence INTERCESSIONS singing for joy, alleluia. Let us pray to God the Father, who gave Psalm 100 THE JOYFUL SONG OF us new life through the risen Christ: THOSE ENTERING GOD’S TEMPLE R. Give us the glory of your Son. The Lord calls his ransomed people to Lord our God, your mighty works have sing songs of victory (St Athanasius) revealed your eternal plan: you created Cry out with joy to the LORD, all the the earth, and you are faithful in every earth. Serve the LORD with gladness. generation, hear us, Father of mercy. R. Come before him, singing for joy. Purify our hearts with your truth, and Know that he, the LORD, is God. He guide them in the way of holiness, so made us; we belong to him. We are his that we may do what is pleasing in your people, the sheep of his flock. sight. R. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his Let your face shine upon us, that we may courts with songs of praise. Give thanks be freed from sin and filled with your to him, and bless his name. plenty. R. Indeed, how good is the LORD, eternal You gave the apostles the peace of his merciful love. He is faithful from age Christ, grant peace to your people, and to to age. the whole world. R. Ant: Come into the Lord’s presence Private Intercession singing for joy, alleluia. Our Father... Concluding Prayer Father, by the love of your Spirit, may we, who have experienced the grace of 5

Abide in My Word ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could see nothing; so they led him by the Lord’s resurrection, rise to the the hand and brought him into Damascus. newness of life in joy. Grant this through And for three days he was without sight, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who and neither ate nor drank. Now there was lives and reigns with you and the Holy a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, MASS Lord.” And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and Entrance Antiphon Rv 5:12 inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is receive power and divinity, and wisdom praying, and he has seen a man named and strength and honour, alleluia. Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” Collect But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we heard from many about this man, how who have come to know the grace of the much evil he has done to your saints at Lord’s Resurrection, may through the Jerusalem; and here he has authority love of the Spirit, ourselves rise to from the chief priests to bind all who call newness of life. Through our Lord Jesus upon your name.” But the Lord said to Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, of mine to carry my name before the forever and ever. Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must FIRST READING suffer for the sake of my name.” So A reading from the Acts of the Apostles Ananias departed and entered the house. 9:1-20 And laying his hands on him he said, “He is a chosen instrument of mine to “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who carry my name before the Gentiles.” appeared to you on the road by which In those days: Saul, still breathing threats you came, has sent me that you may and murder against the disciples of the regain your sight and be filled with the Lord, went to the high priest and asked Holy Spirit.” And immediately him for letters to the synagogues at something like scales fell from his eyes Damascus, so that if he found any and he regained his sight. Then he rose belonging to the Way, men or women, he and was baptised, and took food and was might bring them bound to Jerusalem. strengthened. For several days he was Now as he journeyed he approached with the disciples at Damascus. And in Damascus, and suddenly a light from the synagogues immediately he heaven flashed about him. And he fell to proclaimed Jesus, saying, “He is the Son the ground and heard a voice saying to of God.” him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute V/ The word of the Lord. me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” R/ Thanks be to God. And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are RESPONSORIAL PSALM persecuting; but rise and enter the city, Psalm 117:1.2 (R. Mark 16:15) and you will be told what you are to do.” The men who were travelling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. Saul arose from the 6

R. Go into all the world, and preach Abide in My Word the Gospel. Or: Alleluia. Prayer over the Offerings 1. O praise the Lord, all you nations; Sanctify graciously these gifts, O Lord, acclaim him, all you peoples! R. we pray, and, accepting the oblation of 2. For his merciful love has prevailed this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an over us; and the Lord’s faithfulness eternal offering to you. Through Christ endures forever. R. our Lord. ALLELUIA John 6:56 Communion Antiphon Alleluia. He who eats my flesh and The Crucified is risen from the dead and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in has redeemed us, alleluia. him, says the Lord. Alleluia. Prayer after Communion GOSPEL We have partaken of the gifts of this A reading from the holy Gospel sacred mystery, humbly imploring, O according to John 6:52-59 Lord, that what your Son commanded us “My flesh is food indeed, and my blood to do in memory of him may bring us is drink indeed.” growth in charity. Through Christ our At that time: The Jews disputed among Lord. themselves, saying, “How can this man OR give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to Entrance Antiphon Ps 128:1-2 them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless Blessed are all who fear the LORD, and you eat the flesh of the Son of man and walk in his ways! By the labour of your drink his blood, you have no life in you; hands you shall eat; blessed are you, and he who eats my flesh and drinks my blessed will you be, alleluia. blood has eternal life, and I will raise Collect him up at the last day. For my flesh is O God, Creator of all things, who laid food indeed, and my blood is drink down for the human race the law of indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks work, grant graciously, that by the my blood abides in me, and I in him. As example of Saint Joseph and under his the living Father sent me, and I live patronage, we may complete the works because of the Father, so he who eats me you set us to do and attain the rewards will live because of me. This is the bread you promise. Through our Lord Jesus which came down from heaven, not such Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns as the fathers ate and died; he who eats with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, this bread will live for ever.” This he said for ever and ever. in the synagogue, as he taught at FIRST READING Capernaum. A reading from the Book of Genesis V/ The Gospel of the Lord. 1:26-2:3 R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. “Fill the earth and subdue it.” God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the 7

Abide in My Word perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which cattle, and over all the earth, and over indeed you were called in the one body. every creeping thing that creeps upon the And be thankful. And whatever you do, earth.” So God created man in his own in word or deed, do everything in the image, in the image of God he created name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to him; male and female he created them. God the Father through him. Whatever And God blessed them, and God said to your task, work heartily, as serving the them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill Lord and not men, knowing that from the the earth and subdue it; and have Lord you will receive the inheritance as dominion over the fish of the sea and your reward; you are serving the Lord over the birds of the air and over every Christ. living thing that moves upon the earth.” V/ The word of the Lord. And God said, “Behold, I have given you R/ Thanks be to God. every plant yielding seed which is upon RESPONSORIAL PSALM the face of all the earth, and every tree Psalm 90:2.3-4.12-13.14 and 16 (R. with seed in its fruit; you shall have them 17c). for food. And to every beast of the earth, R. Give success to the work of our and to every bird of the air, and to hands, O Lord. everything that creeps on the earth, Or: Alleluia. everything that has the breath of life, I 1. Before the mountains were born, or have given every green plant for food.” the earth or the world were brought forth, And it was so. And God saw everything you are God, from age to age. R. that he had made, and behold, it was very 2. You turn man back to dust, and say, good. And there was evening and there “Return, O children of men.”, To your was morning, a sixth day. Thus the eyes a thousand years are like yesterday, heavens and the earth were finished, and come and gone, or like a watch in the all the host of them. And on the seventh night. R. day God finished his work which he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all his work which he had done in creation. V/ The word of the Lord. 3. Then teach us to number our days, that R/ Thanks be to God. we may gain wisdom of heart. Turn Or the following: back, O Lord! How long? Show pity to your servants. R. FIRST READING 4. At dawn, fill us with your merciful A reading from the Letter of Saint love; we shall exult and rejoice all our Paul to the Colossians 3:14-15.17.23- days. Let your deed be seen by your 24 servants, and your glorious power by “Whatever the task, work heartily, as their children. R. serving the Lord and not men. “ ALLELUIA Psalm 68:19 Brethren: Over all these put on love, Alleluia. Blessed be the Lord who daily which binds everything together in 8

bears us up; God is our salvation. Abide in My Word Alleluia. GOSPEL R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ A reading from the holy Gospel Prayer over the Offerings according to Matthew 13:54-58 O God, fount of all mercy, look upon our “Is not this the carpenter’s son?” offerings, which we bring before your At that time: Coming to his own country, majesty in commemoration of Saint Jesus taught them in their synagogue, so Joseph, and mercifully grant that the that they were astonished, and said, gifts we offer may become the means of “Where did this man get this wisdom and protection for those who call upon you. these mighty works? Is not this the Through Christ our Lord. carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Communion Antiphon Cf. Col 3:17 Mary? And are not his brethren James Whatever you do in word or in deed, do and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And everything in the name of the Lord, are not all his sisters with us? Where then giving thanks to God, alleluia. did this man get all this?” And they took Prayer after Communion offence at him. But Jesus said to them, Having fed upon heavenly delights, we “A prophet is not with-out honour except humbly ask you, O Lord, that, by Saint in his own country and in his own Joseph’s example, cherishing in our house.” And he did not do many mighty hearts the signs of your love, we may works there, because of their unbelief. ever enjoy the fruit of perpetual peace. V/ The Gospel of the Lord. Through Christ our Lord. MEDITATION OF THE DAY No One Is Beyond The Reach Of God’s Mercy And Love Now that it is May, we approach the summer blockbuster movie season. The dramatic action of today’s first reading sounds like a scene from such a film: Saul is breathing murderous threats, and seeks to capture the disciples in chains; a flashing light knocks him down and blinds him; his companions are speechless and have to lead him by the hand to Damascus, where Saul cannot see, eat, or drink for three days. While in Damascus, Ananias, a disciple of the Lord, comes to Saul and lays his hands on him. Saul is filled with the Holy Spirit and things like scales fell from his eyes. This conversion story concludes with Saul’s baptism, and eating to recover his strength. This may not make the theater screens, but God’s actions in this story are better than any superhero we may invent. No matter what wrong we may have done or are doing, we are not beyond God’s reach to knock us off our feet, take away our vision, and set us on a new course. No matter how far gone into evil or sin someone may be, that person is not beyond God’s reach. As Paul must have repented before being baptized, so we, too, have opportunities to repent before the Lord and be reconciled to him. And as Paul ate to recover his strength, we also may eat to recover ours. We are invited to the table to eat the bread that came down from heaven. The same voice that called to Paul calls to us. This is what it means to have life 9

Abide in My Word in him. The Eucharist is the sacrament of God’s eternal and unifying mercy and love. Jesus says in today’s Gospel: Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him. He does not offer exceptions – there is no, “whoever, except,” or, “whoever, unless.” Through God’s grace, no one is beyond his reach of mercy and love. POINT TO PONDER: No matter what wrong we may have done or are doing, we are not beyond God’s redemption. VERSE TO REMEMBER: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you” Jn. 6:53 QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Am I willing to repent of my sins so that I can be reconciled to God? PRAYER: Lord, I know that I have sinned and have come short of your glory. Please help me to repent so that I will be reconciled to you. MIDDAY PRAYER by men, despised by the people. All who Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 see me deride me; they curl their lips, they V/ O God, come to my assistance. shake their heads: He trusted in the LORD, R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. let him save him; let him release him, for in Glory be... him he delights.” Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Yes, it was you who took me from the Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia womb, entrusted me to my mother’s breast. PSALM 22:2-12 GOD HEARS THE To you I was committed from birth; from SUFFERING OF HIS HOLY ONE my mother’s womb, you have been my Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “My God, God. Stay not far from me; trouble is near, my God, why have you forsaken me? “ (Mt and there is no one to help. 27:46). Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia My God, my God, why have you forsaken Scripture Reading Gal 3:27-28 me? Why are you far from saving me, so All of you who were baptised into Christ far from my words of anguish? O my God, have clothed yourselves with Christ. There I call by day and you do not answer; I call is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither by night and I find no relief. slave nor free person, there is not male and Yet you, O God, are holy, enthroned on the female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. praises of Israel. In you our fathers put V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia their trust; they trusted and you set them R/ When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. free. When they cried to you, they Concluding Prayer as in Morning escaped;in you they trusted and were not Prayer put to shame. DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK But I am a worm, and not a man, scorned PRAYER Refer to pages 195-197 10

Abide in My Word EVENING PRAYER INTERCESSIONS V/ O God, come to my assistance. Christ is the way, the truth and the life. Let R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. us praise him, and say: Glory be... R. Son of the living God, bless your Hymn: Refer to pg 193 people. Ant: Let us sing to the Lord, glorious his We pray to you, Lord Jesus, for all ministers triumph, alleluia. of your Church, as they break for us the Canticle Rev 15:3-4 bread of life, may they themselves receive HYMN OF ADORATION nourishment and strength. R. Mighty and wonderful are your works, We pray for the whole Christian people, Lord God Almighty! Righteous and true that all may be worthy of their calling, and are your ways, O King of the nations! safeguard their unity in the Spirit by the Who would dare refuse you honour, or the bond of peace. R. glory due to your name, O Lord? Since you We pray for those who govern us, that they alone are holy, all nations shall come and may temper justice with mercy, and worship in your presence. Your mighty promote harmony and peace throughout deeds are clearly seen. the world. R. Ant: Let us sing to the Lord, glorious his We pray for ourselves, that our hearts may triumph, alleluia. be purified to sing your praises in the Scripture Reading Heb 5:8-10 communion of saints, may we be reunited Son though he was, Christ learned with our deceased brothers and sisters, obedience from what he suffered; and whom we commend to your loving when he was made perfect, he became the kindness. R. source of eternal salvation for all who obey Private Intercession him, declared by God high priest according Our Father... ti the order of Melchizedek. Concluding Prayer as in Morning Magnificat Ant: Our crucified and risen Prayer Lord has redeemed us, alleluia For night prayer refer to page 182 Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 MORNING PRAYER 2SATURDAY, MAY 2ND V/ Lord, open our lips, Saturday of the third week R/ And we shall praise your name of Easter (White) Glory be... Today’s Rosary: Hymn: Refer to pg 192 The Joyful Mysteries “For the Son of God became man so that Ant: The words I have spoken to you are we might become God.” —St. Athanasius spirit and life, alleluia. 11

Abide in My Word Son of God, you were raised from the dead to lead us into life, bless and sanctify all PSALM 119:145-152 XIX (Qoph) the children of your Father. R. I call with all my heart; LORD, answer me. You give peace and joy to all who believe I will observe your statutes. I call upon in you, grant that we may walk as children you; save me, and I will keep your decrees. of the light, rejoicing in your victory. R. I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have Build up the faith of your pilgrim Church hoped in your word. My eyes awaken on earth, that it may bear witness to your before dawn, to ponder your promise. resurrection before the whole world. R. In your mercy, hear my voice, O LORD; You suffered and so entered into the glory give me life by your decrees. Those who of the Father, change the tears of the pursue me with malice draw near; they are sorrowful into joy. R. far from your law. Private Intercession But you O LORD are close; all your commands are truth. From of old I have Our Father... known that your decrees are established for ever. Ant: The words I have spoken to you are Concluding Prayer spirit and life, alleluia. God our Father, by the waters of baptism you give new life to the faithful. May we Scripture Reading Rom 14:7-9 not succumb to the influence of evil but None of us lives for oneself, and no one remain true to your gift of life. We ask this dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, the Lord and if we die, we die for the Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy so then, whether we live or die, we are the Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Lord’s. For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both MASS the dead and the living. Entrance Antiphon Col 2:12 Benedictus Ant: Simon Peter said: Lord, You have been buried with Christ in to whom shall we go? You have the words baptism, through which you also rose of eternal life; and we believe and we are again by faith in the working of God, who convinced that you are the Christ, the Son raised him from the dead, alleluia. of God, alleluia. Collect Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 O God, who in the font of Baptism have made new those who believe in you, keep INTERCESSIONS safe those reborn in Christ, that defeating every onslaught of error, they may Christ is the bread of life; he will raise up faithfully preserve the grace of your on the last day all who share the table of his blessing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, word and his body. In our joy let us pray: your Son, who lives and reigns with you R. Lord, give us peace and joy. and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 12

FIRST READING Abide in My Word A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 9:31-42 Psalm 116:12-13.14-15.16-17 (R.12) “The Church was built up; and in the R. How can I repay the Lord for all his comfort of the Holy Spirit it was goodness to me? multiplied.” In those days: The Church throughout all Or: Alleluia. Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of 1. How can I repay the LORD for all his the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will Spirit it was multiplied. Now as Peter went raise; I will call on the name of the LORD. here and there among them all, he came R. down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who 2. My vows to the LORD I will fulfil before had been bedridden for eight years and was all his people. How precious in the eyes of paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, the LORD is the death of his faithful. R. Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the 3. Your servant, LORD, your servant am I, residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, the son of your handmaid; you have and they turned to the Lord. Now there was loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which sacrifice I make; I will call on the name of means Dorcas or Gazelle. She was full of the LORD. R good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they ALLELUIA See John 6:63c.68c had washed her, they laid her in an upper Alleluia. Your words, Lord, are Spirit and room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the life; you have the words of eternal life. disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent Alleluia. two men to him entreating him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose GOSPEL and went with them. And when he had A reading from the holy Gospel come, they took him to the upper room. All according to John 6:60-69 the widows stood beside him weeping, and “To whom shall we go? You have the showing coats and garments which Dorcas words of eternal life.” made while she was with them. But Peter At that time: Many of the disciples of Jesus put them all outside and knelt down and said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen prayed; then turning to the body he said, to it?” But Jesus, knowing in himself that “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, his disciples murmured at it, said to them, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he “Do you take offence at this? Then what if gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then you were to see the Son of man ascending calling the saints and widows he presented where he was before? It is the spirit that her alive. And it became known throughout gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you that do not V/ The word of the Lord. believe.” For Jesus knew from the first who R/ Thanks be to God. those were that did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. And he said, RESPONSORIAL PSALM “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples 13

Abide in My Word Communion Antiphon Jn 17:20-21 Father, I pray for them, that they may be drew back and no longer walked with him. one in us, so that the world may believe it Jesus said to the Twelve, “Will you also go was you who sent me, says the Lord, away?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, alleluia. to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and Prayer after Communion have come to know, that you are the Holy Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those whom One of God.” you have saved by your kindness, that, redeemed by the Passion of your Son, they V/ The Gospel of the Lord. may rejoice in his Resurrection. Who lives R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. and reigns forever and ever. Prayer over the Offerings Accept in compassion, Lord, we pray, the offerings of your family, that under your protective care they may never lose what they have received, but attain the gifts that are eternal. Through Christ our Lord. MEDITATION OF THE DAY E Experiencing The Merciful Power Of God ach of us has probably been in the same circumstances as Tabitha’s friends in today’s first reading: Deeply mourning someone truly incredible, reflecting on all the good works he or she did in life and wondering why they passed too soon. Yet, through the work of Saint Peter, we have a glimpse of the Good News: Jesus has the words of everlasting life. As a disciple, Tabitha would have known this. She had demonstrated her great love of Christ through good deeds and almsgiving. Saint Luke describes how tenderly fellow Christians treated her after her death, washing her body and laying her in a room as they waited for Peter to arrive. They wept and shared the good she had done. While it is true that we cannot (and should not) expect such miracles as we see in the first reading, where Saint Peter’s prayers raise the dead immediately, we can see this miracle as demonstrating the power of God to bring us to new life here, and eventually, to eternal life through Christ and our bodies being raised on the last day. Sometimes, we may face intense doubts, like the disciples who reacted to Jesus in today’s Gospel. In fact, many disciples stopped following Jesus because they struggled to understand and accept his “hard saying.” Prior to the passage we just heard, Jesus had said that whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood will have eternal life. So today, when Jesus turns to his closest friends, the Apostles, and asks if they will also leave, Saint Peter’s powerful words serve as a reminder for all Christians: Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. If we truly believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life – words that demand we love God, love our neighbor and, yes, eat his flesh and drink his blood in the Eucharist – then we, like Tabitha, will experience the merciful power of God. Our death will be a birth into new life, and at the end of time, our earthly bodies will also be raised and glorified. POINT TO PONDER: Tabitha’s rising from the dead shows the merciful power 14

Abide in My Word of God VERSE TO REMEMBER: “Tabitha, rise, And she opened her eyes….” (Acts 9:40) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Do I truly believe that Jesus has the words of eternal life? PRAYER: My Lord Jesus, give me the grace to live more like Tabitha, doing good works and giving alms out of the love of God; Grant that I may truly believe Saint Peter’s declaration that you have the words of eternal life. May I truly believe that you are the Son of God, who wills eternal life for me and that your promises are true. MIDDAY PRAYER The angel of the LORD is encamped around those who fear him, to rescue them. Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 Taste and see that the LORD is good. Blessed the man who seeks refuge in him. V/ O God, come to my assistance. R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. Fear the LORD, you his holy ones. They Glory be... lack nothing, those who fear him. The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who Hymn: Refer to pg 192 seek the LORD lack no blessing. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. PSALM 34:2-11 Scripture Reading 1 Cor 15:20-22 GOD THE SAVIOUR OF THE JUST Christ has been raised from the dead, the You have tasted that the Lord is good (1 Pt firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 2:3). For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came I will bless the LORD at all times, praise of also through a human being. For just as in him is always in my mouth. In the LORD Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be my soul shall make its boast; the humble brought to life. shall hear and be glad. V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. Glorify the LORD with me; together let us R/ When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. praise his name. I sought the LORD, and he answered me; from all my terrors he set Concluding Prayer as in Morning me free. Prayer Look towards him and be radiant; let your DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK faces not be abashed. This lowly one PRAYER called; the LORD heard, and rescued him Refer to pages 195-197 from all his distress. Hymn: Refer to pg 193 EVENING PRAYER I V/ O God, come to my assistance. Ant: May the peace of Christ fill your R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. hearts with joy, alleluia. Glory be... 15

Abide in My Word Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 INTERCESSIONS Psalm 122 In rising from the dead, Christ destroyed HOLY CITY JERUSALEM death and restored life. Let us cry out to You have approached Mount Zion and the him, saying: city of the living God, the heavenly R. Lord Jesus, you live for ever; hear Jerusalem (Heb 12:22). our prayer. You are the stone rejected by the builders I rejoiced when they said to me, “Let us go which became the cornerstone, make us to the house of the LORD.” And now our living stones in the temple of your Church. feet are standing within your gates, O R. Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city bonded as one together. It is there that the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD. For Israel’s witness it is to praise the name You are the faithful and true witness, the of the LORD. There were set the thrones firstborn from the dead, make your Church for judgment, the thrones of the house of bear witness to yourself. R. David. You alone are the Bridegroom of the For the peace of Jerusalem pray, “May they Church, born from your wounded side, prosper, those who love you.” May peace make us reveal to the world the love of abide in your walls, and security be in your Bridegroom and Bride. R. towers. You are the first and the last, you were dead For the sake of my family and friends, let and are alive, keep those who have been me say, “Peace upon you.” For the sake of baptised faithful until death, that they may the house of the LORD, our God, I will receive the crown of victory. R. seek good things for you. Light and lamp of God’s holy city, shine on Ant: May the peace of Christ fill your our friends who have died, that they may hearts with joy, alleluia. reign for ever. R. Scripture Reading 1 Pt 2:9-10 Private Intercession You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, Our Father... a holy nation, a people of his own, so that Concluding Prayer you may announce the praises” of him who Almighty and ever-living God, give us new called you out of darkness into his strength from the courage of Christ our wonderful light. Once you were “no shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in people” but now you are God’s people; you Heaven, where he lives and reigns with “had not received mercy” but now you you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever have received mercy. and ever. Magnificat Ant: Amen I say to you: For night prayer refer to page 182 Whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. He walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice, alleluia. 16

SUNDAY, MAY 3RD Abide in My Word Fourth Sunday of Easter (White) Scripture Reading Acts 10:40-43 3(Good Shepherd Sunday) God raised Jesus on the third day and granted that he be visible, not to all the people, but to us, the witnesses chosen by God in advance, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He Today’s Rosary: commissioned us to preach to the people The Glorious Mysteries and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To “As the body apart from the spirit is him all the prophets bear witness, that dead, so faith apart from works is dead.” everyone who believes in him will receive —Epistle of James 2:26 forgiveness of sins through his name. MORNING PRAYER Benedictus Ant: I am the gate, says the V/ Lord, open our lips, Lord; whoever enters through me will be R/ And we shall praise your name. saved and find pasture, alleluia. Glory be... Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 Hymn: Refer to pg 192 INTERCESSIONS Ant: Give honour and praise to our God; God the almighty Father raised Jesus as the all that he does is perfect and all his ways firstborn from the dead, and made him our are true, alleluia. saviour. Let us call upon him, saying: PSALM 150 PRAISE THE LORD R. Give us, Lord, the glory of your Son. Let mind and heart be in your song: this is All-holy Father, you brought your beloved to glorify God with your whole self Son Jesus from the darkness of death into (Hesychius). the splendour of your glory, bring us also Praise God in his holy place; praise him in into your marvellous light. R. his mighty firmament. Praise him for his You have given us faith to save us, may we powerful deeds; praise him for his live today by the faith of our baptism. R. boundless grandeur. You command us to seek the things that are O praise him with sound of trumpet; praise above, where Christ is seated at your right him with lute and harp. Praise him with hand, do not let us be deceived by the timbrel and dance; praise him with strings allurements of sin. R. and pipes. May our life, hidden with Christ in you, O praise him with resounding cymbals; our Father, shine before the world, praise him with clashing of cymbals. Let foreshadowing a new heaven and a new everything that breathes praise the LORD! earth. R. Ant: Give honour and praise to our God; Private Intercession all that he does is perfect and all his ways are true, alleluia. Our Father... 17

Abide in My Word generation.” So those who received his word were baptised, and there were added Concluding Prayer that day about three thousand souls. Almighty and ever-living God, give us new V/ The word of the Lord. strength from the courage of Christ our R/ Thanks be to God. shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in RESPONSORIAL PSALM Heaven, where he lives and reigns with you Psalm 23:1-3a-3b-4-6 and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is ever. nothing I shall want. Or: Alleluia. MASS 1. The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 33:5-6 the pastures where he gives me repose. The merciful love of the LORD fills the Near restful waters he leads me; he revives earth; by the word of the LORD the my soul. R. heavens were made, alleluia. 2. He guides me along the right path, for the sake of his name. Though I should walk The Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in in the valley of the shadow of death, no evil the highest) is said. would I fear, for you are with me. Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. Collect R. Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a 3. You have prepared a table before me in share in the joys of heaven, so that the the sight of my foes. My head you have humble flock may reach where the brave anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and R. reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one 4. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow God, for ever and ever. me all the days of my life. In the LORD’s own house shall I dwell for length of days FIRST READING unending. R. A reading from the Acts of the Apostles SECOND READING 2:14a.36-41 A reading from the first Letter of Saint “God has made him both Lord and Peter 2:20b-25 Christ.” “You have returned to the shepherd of [On the day of Pentecost,] Peter, standing your souls. “ with the Eleven, lifted up his voice and said Beloved: If when you do right and suffer to the multitude, “Let all the house of Israel for it you take it patiently, you have God’s know assuredly that God has made him approval. For to this you have been called, both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you because Christ also suffered for you, crucified.” Now when they heard this they leaving you an example, that you should were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and follow in his steps. He committed no sin; the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what no guile was found on his lips. When he shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord our God calls to him.” And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked 18

was reviled, he did not revile in return; Abide in My Word when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly. He SUGGESTED PRAYER OF THE himself bore our sins in his body on the FAITHFUL tree, that we might die to sin and live to (Each local community should compose its righteousness. By his wounds you have own Universal Prayer, but may find been healed. For you were straying like inspiration in the texts proposed here.) sheep, but have now returned to the Priest/Leader Shepherd and Guardian of your souls. “I have come that they may have life, and V/ The word of the Lord. have it abundantly.” The good news of R/ Thanks be to God. Jesus the shepherd encourages us in our ALLELUIA John 10:14 journey through life. Strengthened by the Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the teaching of the Bible, we are confident Lord; I know my own, and my own know before our God, asking for what we need. me. Alleluia. 1. For a desire to renew our baptismal GOSPEL promises. (Pause) A reading from the holy Gospel Peter proclaimed Jesus as Lord and Christ. according to John 10:1-10 By our baptism, we have put on Christ and “I am the door of the sheep.” refuse to be dominated by sin. In this Easter At that time: Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say time, we renew that commitment, asking to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold God’s grace to be faithful to our baptism. by the door but climbs in by another way, Lord, hear us. that man is a thief and a robber; but he who 2. For a desire to understand the sufferings enters by the door is the shepherd of the of Jesus.(Pause) sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the The sufferings of Jesus reflect the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own mysterious purposes of God. When sheep by name and leads them out. When suffering and sorrows are part of our lives, he has brought out all his own, he goes may we strive to imitate Jesus, putting our before them, and the sheep follow him, for trust in God’s merciful love.Lord, hear us. they know his voice. A stranger they will 3. For a desire to follow Jesus the shepherd. not follow, but they will flee from him, for (Pause) they do not know the voice of strangers.” May we acknowledge Jesus the shepherd, This figure Jesus used with them, but they the one who leads his people. May we did not understand what he was saying to listen always to his voice, faithful disciples them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, of his teaching that brings us life in its truly, I say to you, I am the door of the fullness. Lord, hear us. sheep. All who came before me are thieves 4. For a desire to witness to the truth. and robbers; but the sheep did not heed (Pause) them. I am the door; if any one enters by Jesus is the holy one of God, the teacher me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and shepherd of all. By lives that reflect and find pasture. The thief comes only to gospel values, may we be witnesses to the steal and kill and destroy; I came that they truth that he taught and the fullness of life may have life, and have it abundantly.” that he promised. Lord, hear us. V/ The Gospel of the Lord. Priest/Leader R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. God of compassion, look on us with favor 19

Abide in My Word Communion Antiphon The Good Shepherd has risen, who laid as we seek to imitate your Son. And grant down his life for his sheep, and willingly us what we need through Christ our Lord. died for his flock, alleluia. Amen. Prayer after Communion Look upon your flock, kind Shepherd, and Prayer over the Offerings be pleased to settle in eternal pastures the Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may sheep you have redeemed by the Precious always find delight in these paschal Blood of your Son. Who lives and reigns mysteries, so that the renewal constantly at for ever and ever. work within us may be the cause of our unending joy. Through Christ our Lord. MEDITATION OF THE DAY The Heart Of The Gospel Message Here it was, Peter’s very first sermon, and what did he say? He preached the heart of the gospel message. He spoke about Jesus—how he performed miracles, how he was put to death, and how he rose from the dead for our salvation. Then he brought everything to a grand conclusion: “God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). Luke tells us that when the people heard these words, they were “cut to the heart” (2:37). We all know what it means to be cut to the heart. We see or hear something stirring, and we feel moved to do something about it right away. It’s like the way we feel when we hear about a family that has tragically lost a loved one. We feel very sad for that family. Our pierced hearts go out to them, and we feel moved to treasure our own family even more. Can any message cut us to the heart more dramatically than the gospel? What can compare to the story of a God who loves us so much that he sent his only Son to rescue us from sin—at the cost of his own life? What can compare to hearing that we have the hope of eternal life if we just turn from sin and turn to Jesus? Whether we are at peace with God or not, whether we are full of faith or weakened by doubts, whether we feel confident in life or overwhelmed by our challenges, recalling this message has the power to touch us and move us closer to Jesus. Why? Because the gospel message helps us to see our lives from a heavenly perspective. It tells us that we are destined for something wonderful. It moves us to try a little harder to be pleasing to the Lord. So make a promise today: “I will never let a day go by without remembering and trusting in the good news that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life’” (John 3:16). POINT TO PONDER: God loves us so much that he sent his only Son to rescue us from sin—at the cost of his own life. VERSE TO REMEMBER: They were cut to the heart. (Acts 2:37) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Why is it important to me to “never let a day go by without remembering and trusting in the good news” of John 3:16? PRAYER: “Come, Holy Spirit; fill my heart and my mind with the gospel message. Move me to do whatever you ask.” 20

MIDDAY PRAYER Abide in My Word Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 You have prepared a table before me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing. V/ O God, come to my assistance. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. me all the days of my life. In the LORD’s Glory be... own house shall I dwell for length of days Hymn: Refer to pg 192 unending. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Psalm 23 THE GOOD SHEPHERD Scripture Reading Eph 2:4-6 The Lamb will shepherd them and lead God, who is rich in mercy, because of the them to springs of life¬giving water (Rv great love he had for us, even when we 7:17). were dead in our transgressions, brought us The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing to life with Christ (by grace you have been I shall want. Fresh and green are the saved), raised us up with him, and seated pastures where he gives me repose. Near us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus. restful waters he leads me; he revives my V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. soul. R/ When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. He guides me along the right path, for the Concluding Prayer as in Morning sake of his name. Though I should walk in Prayer. the valley of the shadow of death, no evil DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK would I fear, for you are with me. Your PRAYER crook and your staff will give me comfort. Refer to pages 195-197 EVENING PRAYER II the generation of the upright will be blest. V/ O God, come to my assistance. Riches and wealth are in his house; his R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. righteousness stands firm for ever. A light Glory be... rises in the darkness for the upright; he is Hymn: Refer to pg 193 generous, merciful and righteous. Ant: In the darkness he dawns: a light for It goes well for the man who deals upright hearts, alleluia. generously and lends, who conducts his Psalm 112 affairs with justice. He will never be THE BLESSINGS OF THE JUST moved;for ever shall the righteous be Live as children of light, for light produces remembered. every kind of goodness and righteousness He has no fear of evil news; with a firm and truth (Eph 5:8-9) heart, he trusts in the LORD. With a Blessed the man who fears the LORD, who steadfast heart he will not fear; he will see takes great delight in his commandments. the downfall of his foes. His descendants shall be powerful on earth; Open-handed, he gives to the poor; his righteousness stands firm for ever. His 21

Abide in My Word the earth through the triumph of the cross, may all things be lifted up in him. R. might shall be exalted in glory. Through your Son in glory send the Holy The wicked sees and is angry, grinds his Spirit upon the Church, that it may be the teeth and fades away; the desire of the sacrament of unity for the whole human wicked leads to doom. race. R. Ant: In the darkness he dawns: a light for You have brought a new family into being upright hearts, alleluia. through water and the Holy Spirit, keep Scripture Reading Heb 10:12-14 them faithful to their baptism, and bring Christ offered one sacrifice for sins, and them to everlasting life. R. took his seat forever at the right hand of Through your exalted Son help those in God; now he waits until his enemies are distress, free those in captivity, heal the made his footstool. For by one offering he sick, and by your blessings give joy to the has made perfect forever those who are world. R. being consecrated. You nourished our deceased brothers and Magnificat Ant: I am the good shepherd; I sisters with the body and blood of the risen came so that they might have life and have Christ, raise them up at the last day. R. it more abundantly, alleluia. Private Intercession Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 Our Father... INTERCESSIONS Concluding Prayer as in Morning God the Father raised Christ from the dead Prayer and exalted him at his right hand. Let us pray to the Father, saying: For night prayer refer to page 182 R. Through Christ in glory, watch over your people, Lord. R/ And we shall praise your name. Righteous Father, you lifted Jesus above Glory be... Hymn: Refer to pg 192 4 MONDAY, MAY 4TH Monday of the fourth week of Ant: The Lord does whatever he wills, Easter (White) alleluia. Today’s Rosary: Psalm 135:1-12 PRAISE FOR THE The Joyful Mysteries WONDERFUL THINGS GOD DOES “Silence is sometimes an act of energy, FOR US and smiling, too.” —Servant of God But you are a people of his own, so that you Elisabeth Leseur may announce the praises of him who MORNING PRAYER called you out of darkness into his V/ Lord, open our lips, wonderful light (1 Pt 2:9) 22

Praise the name of the LORD; praise him, Abide in My Word servants of the LORD, who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 house of our God. INTERCESSIONS Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good. God the Father was glorified in the death Sing a psalm to his name, for it is pleasant. and resurrection of his Son. Let us pray to For the LORD has chosen Jacob for him with confidence saying: himself, and Israel as his treasured R. Lord, enlighten our minds. possession. Father of light, you bathed the world in For I know the LORD is great, That our splendour when Christ rose again in glory, Lord is high above all gods. The LORD fill our minds today with the light of faith. does whatever he wills, in heaven, and on R. earth, in the seas, and in all the depths. Through the resurrection of your Son you He summons clouds from the ends of the opened for us the way of life, as we work earth, makes lightning produce the rain; today sustain us with the hope of glory. R. from his treasuries he sends forth the wind Through your risen Son you sent the Holy The firstborn of the Egyptians he smote, of Spirit into the world, set our hearts on fire man and beast alike. He sent signs and with spiritual love. R. wonders in your midst, O Egypt, against May Jesus Christ, who was crucified to set Pharaoh and all his servants. us free, be today our salvation and Nations in their great numbers he struck, redemption. R. and kings in their might he slew: Sihon, Private Intercession king of the Amorites, Of, the king of Our Father... Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan. Their land he gave as a heritage, a heritage Concluding Prayer to Israel, his people. Father, through the obedience of Jesus, Ant: The Lord does whatever he wills, your servant and your Son, you raised a alleluia. fallen world. Free us from sin and bring us Scripture Reading Rom 10:8b-10 the joy that lasts for ever. We ask this “The word is near you, in your mouth and through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that who lives and reigns with you and the Holy we preach) for, if you confess with your Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the MASS dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one Entrance Antiphon Rom 6:9 confesses with the mouth and so is saved. Christ, having risen from the dead, dies now no more; death will no longer have dominion over him, alleluia. Benedictus Ant: I am the Good Shepherd; Collect I pasture my sheep and I lay down my life O God, perfect light of the blessed, by for them, alleluia. whose gift we celebrate the paschal 23

Abide in My Word baptised with the Holy Spirit.’ If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us mysteries on earth, bring us, we pray, to when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, rejoice in the full measure of your grace for who was I that I could withstand God?” ages unending. Through our Lord Jesus When they heard this they were silenced. Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with And they glorified God, saying, “Then to you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever the Gentiles also God has granted and ever. repentance unto life.” V/ The word of the Lord. FIRST READING R/ Thanks be to God. A reading from the Acts of the Apostles RESPONSORIAL PSALM 11:1-18 Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3.4 (R. see 42:3ab) “Then to the Gentiles also God has R. My soul is thirsting for you, the living granted repentance unto life.” God. In those days: The apostles and the brethren Or: Alleluia. who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles 1. Like the deer that yearns for running also had received the word of God. So streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the God. My soul is thirsting for God, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, living God; when can I enter and appear “Why did you go to uncircumcised men before the face of God? R and eat with them?” But Peter began and 2. O send forth your light and your truth; explained to them in order: “I was in the they will guide me on. They will bring me city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw to your holy mountain, to the place where a vision, something descending, like a you dwell. R. great sheet, let down from heaven by four 3. And I will come to the altar of God, to corners; and it came down to me. Looking God, my joy and gladness. To you will I at it closely I observed animals and beasts give thanks on the harp, O God, my God. of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. R. And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, ALLELUIA John 10:14 Peter; kill and eat.’ “But I said, ‘No, Lord; Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the for nothing common or unclean has ever Lord; I know my own, and my own know entered my mouth.’ “But the voice me. Alleluia. answered a second time from heaven, GOSPEL `What God has cleansed you must not call A reading from the holy Gospel common.’ “This happened three times, and according to John 10:11-18 all was drawn up again into heaven. At that “The good shepherd lays down his life for very moment three men arrived at the the sheep.” house in which we were, sent to me from At that time: Jesus said, “I am the good Caesarea. And the Spirit told me to go with shepherd. The good shepherd lays down them, making no distinction. These six his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling brethren also accompanied me, and we and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep entered the man’s house. And he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, `John baptised with water, but you shall be 24

are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves Abide in My Word the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because Prayer over the Offerings he is a hireling and cares nothing for the Receive, O Lord, we pray, these offerings sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my of your exultant Church, and, as you have own and my own know me, as the Father given her cause for such great gladness, knows me and I know the Father; and I lay grant also that the gifts we bring may bear down my life for the sheep. And I have fruit in perpetual happiness. Through other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must Christ our Lord. bring them also, and they will heed my Communion Antiphon Jn 20:19 voice. So there shall be one flock, one Jesus stood in the midst of his disciples and shepherd. For this reason the Father loves said to them: Peace be with you, alleluia. me, because I lay down my life, that I may Prayer after Communion take it again. No one takes it from me, but Look with kindness upon your people, O I lay it down of my own accord. I have Lord, and grant, we pray, that those you power to lay it down, and I have power to were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries, take it again; this charge I have received may attain in their flesh the incorruptible from my Father.” glory of the resurrection. Through Christ V/ The Gospel of the Lord. our Lord. R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. MEDITATION OF THE DAY We, Too, Are Called To Be Good Shepherds The imagery of the good shepherd that Jesus uses in today’s Gospel account is vivid. You see, at the time of Jesus, shepherds built circular stones and herded their sheep into them for the night. These pens were necessary to protect the sheep from the wolves that wanted to devour them. There was a small portal which the shepherd used to bring the sheep in and out of the pen. At night, the shepherd would sleep at the portal’s entrance – his body stretched across the opening. If a wolf tried to enter the sheep pen, it would be over the shepherd’s body. When Jesus identified himself as the shepherd of our souls, he was no doubt thinking of what it means to be a good shepherd, and what would happen to his own body which he would give up for the sake of the souls his Father in heaven put under his protection. Being a good shepherd was not an image Jesus applied only to himself. Later in John’s Gospel, Jesus lays it as a charge on Peter, when he says: When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed that he had said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep” (21:15-17). We are connected to Peter through the Church, and share in his ministry and in the ministry of the Apostles. Throughout the centuries this ministry reaches us through the bishop of Rome, the successor of Peter, and through the bishops who are the successors of the Apostles. We, too, are called to be good shepherds, caring for those around us with the love of Christ. 25

Abide in My Word As you go through your day today, give some thought to who cares for your soul. Who in your life wants to care for and protect your soul? Priests and religious aren’t the only ones. Members of your parish staff are working for the care and feeding of your soul as well. POINT TO PONDER: Hear and heed the voice of our Shepherd. VERSE TO REMEMBER: They will hear my voice. (John 10:16) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Who cares for my soul. Who in my life wants to care for and protect my soul? Priests or religious?. PRAYER: Lord, today, I pray for the good shepherds in my life. Those who love and care for me . MIDDAY PRAYER Alas, that I live in Meshech, dwell among Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 the tents of Kedar! V/ O God, come to my assistance. I have had enough of dwelling with those R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I Glory be... speak, they are for war. Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Scripture Reading Col 2:9. 10a.12 PSALM 120 In Christ dwells the whole fulness of the LONGING FOR PEACE deity bodily and you share in this fulness in Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, him. You were buried with him in baptism, persevere in prayer (Rom 12:12). in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. To the LORD in the hour of my distress I V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. call - and he answers me. “O LORD, save R/ When they saw the risen Lord, alleluia. my soul from lying lips, from the tongue of Concluding Prayer as in Morning the deceitful.” Prayer. What should he give you, what repay you, DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK O deceitful tongue? The warrior’s arrows PRAYER sharpened, with red-hot coals from the Refer to pages 195-197 broom tree! EVENING PRAYER PSALM 136 EASTER HYMN We praise God by recalling his marvellous V/ O God, come to my assistance. deeds (Cassiodorus). R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be... O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks Hymn: Refer to pg 193 to the God of gods, for his mercy endures for ever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, Ant: Whoever is in Christ is a new creature, for his mercy endures for ever; alleluia. 26

who alone has wrought marvellous works, Abide in My Word for his mercy endures for ever; who in wisdom made the heavens, for his mercy INTERCESSIONS endures for ever; who spread the earth on Let us pray to Christ the Lord, who bathed the waters, for his mercy endures for ever. the world in glory through his resurrection. With joyful hearts let us say: R. Christ, our life, hear our prayer. It was he who made the great lights, for his Lord Jesus Christ, you walked with your mercy endures for ever; the sun to rule in disciples on the way, be with your Church the day, for his mercy endures for ever; the on its pilgrimage through life. R. moon and the stars in the night, for his mercy endures for ever. Do not let us be slow to believe, but ready to proclaim you as victor over death. R. Ant: Whoever is in Christ is a new creature, alleluia. Look with kindness on those who do not recognise your presence, reveal yourself to Scripture Reading Heb 8:1b-3a them, so that they may welcome you as We have such a high priest, who has taken Saviour. R. his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister of the Through the cross you have brought sanctuary and of the true tabernacle that the reconciliation to all peoples in your body, Lord, not man, set up. Now every high grant unity and peace to all nations. R. priest is appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices. Judge of the living and the dead, forgive the sins of the faithful departed. R. Magnificat Ant: I have other sheep that do not belong to this flock; these also I Private Intercession must lead. They will hear my voice, and there will be one fold and one shepherd, Our Father... alleluia. Concluding Prayer as in Morning Refer to the Magnificat of pg 194 Prayer 5TUESDAY, MAY 5TH For night prayer refer to page 182 Tuesday of the fourth week of Easter (White) moment I should not bear up against the least cross.” —Mother Mary Ignatius Hayes MORNING PRAYER Today’s Rosary: V/ Lord, open our lips, The Sorrowful Mysteries R/ And we shall praise your name. Glory be... “The greatest miracle is myself, that I Hymn: Refer to pg 192 should be a Catholic, a religious, a Ant: The Lord is my refuge and my Franciscan. Yet, I am so weak bodily, so sensitive mentally, that left to myself a 27

Abide in My Word who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These are now saviour, alleluia. his witnesses before the people. We Psalm 144:1-10 PRAYER FOR ourselves are proclaiming this good VICTORY AND PEACE news to you that what God promised I have the strength .for everything our ancestors he has brought to through him who empowers we (Phil fulfilment for us, their children, by 4:13). raising up Jesus, as it is written in the Blest be the LORD, my rock, who second psalm, “You are my son; this trains my hands for battle, who day I have begotten you.” prepares my fingers for war. Benedictus Ant: The works that I do He is my merciful love, my fortress; he in the name of my Father speak on my is my stronghold, my saviour, my behalf, alleluia. shield in whom I take refuge. He Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 brings peoples under my role. LORD, what is man that you regard INTERCESSIONS him, the son of man that you keep him The spotless Lamb of God takes away in mind, man who is merely a breath, the sins of the world. Let us give whose days are like a passing shadow? thanks to the Father, and say: Lower your heavens, O LORD, and R. Source of all life, raise us to life. come down. Touch the mountains; Source of all life, remember the death wreathe them in smoke. Flash your and resurrection of the Lamb slain on lightnings; rout the foe. Shoot your the cross, listen to his voice as he lives arrows, and put them to flight. for ever, making intercession for us. R. Reach down with your hand from on Now that the old leaven of wickedness high; rescue me, save me from the and evil is destroyed, may we always mighty waters, from the hands of feed on the unleavened bread of foreign foes whose mouths speak only sincerity and truth. R. emptiness, whose hands are raised in Grant that today we may put aside all perjury. friction and jealousy, and show greater To you, O God, will I sing a new song; concern for the needs of others. R. I will play on the ten-stringed harp to Send into our hearts the spirit of the you who give kings their victory, who Gospel, that we may walk in the way set David your servant free from the of your commandments, today and for evil sword. ever. R. Ant: The Lord is my refuge and my Private Intercession saviour, alleluia. Our Father... Scripture Reading Acts 13:30-33 God raised Jesus from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those 28

Concluding Prayer Abide in My Word Almighty God, as we celebrate the resurrection, may we share with each with steadfast purpose; for he was a other the joy the risen Christ has won good man, full of the Holy Spirit and for us. We ask this through our Lord of faith. And a large company was Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and added to the Lord. So Barnabas went reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he one God, for ever and ever. had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met MASS with the Church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the Entrance Antiphon Rv 19:7.6 disciples were for the first time called Let us rejoice and be glad and give Christians. glory to God, for the Lord our God the V/ The word of the Lord. Almighty reigns, alleluia. R/ Thanks be to God. Collect RESPONSORIAL PSALM Grant, we pray, almighty God, that Psalm 87:1-3.4-5.6-7 (Psalm 117:1a) celebrating the mysteries of the Lord’s R. O praise the Lord, all you nations. Resurrection, we may merit to receive Or: Alleluia. the joy of our redemption. Through 1. Founded by him on the holy our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who mountain, the LORD loves the gates of lives and reigns with you and the Holy Sion, more than all the dwellings of Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Jacob. Of you are told glorious things, FIRST READING you, O city of God! R. A reading from the Acts of the 2. “Rahab and Babylon I will count Apostles 11:19-26 among those who know me; of Tyre, “They spoke to the Greeks also, Philistia, Ethiopia, it is told,‘There was preaching the Lord Jesus.” this one born.’ But of Sion it shall be In those days: Those who were said, `Each one was born in her.”’ He, scattered because of the persecution the Most High, established it. R. that arose over Stephen travelled as far 3. In his register of peoples the LORD as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, writes, “Here was this one born.” The speaking the word to none except singers cry out in chorus, “In you, all Jews. But there were some of them, find their home.” R men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on ALLELUIA John 10:27 coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks Alleluia. My sheep hear my voice, also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And says the Lord; and I know them, and the hand of the Lord was with them, they follow me. Alleluia. and a great number that believed GOSPEL turned to the Lord. News of this came A reading from the holy Gospel to the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, according to John 10:22-30 and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord 29

Abide in My Word V/ The Gospel of the Lord. R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. “I and the Father are one.” Prayer over the Offerings It was the feast of the Dedication at Grant, we pray, O Lord, that we may Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus always find delight in these paschal was walking in the temple, in the mysteries, so that the renewal portico of Solomon. So the Jews constantly at work within us may be gathered round him and said to him, the cause of our unending joy. Through “How long will you keep us in Christ our Lord. suspense? If you are Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told Communion Antiphon Cf. Lk 24:46.26 you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, The Christ had to suffer and rise from they bear witness to me; but you do the dead, and so enter into his glory, not believe, because you do not belong alleluia. to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, Prayer after Communion and I know them, and they follow me; Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that this and I give them eternal life, and they most holy exchange, by which you shall never perish, and no one shall have redeemed us, may bring your snatch them out of my hand. My help in this present life and ensure for Father, who has given them to me, is us eternal gladness. Through Christ greater than all, and no one is able to our Lord. snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” MEDITATION OF THE DAY Sharing God’s Love With People Around Us Rachel returned to the Church after a few years away. As she began to experience God’s love in prayer and Scripture, she started to look for ways to tell other people about Jesus and the difference he could make in their lives—that is, everyone except Tanya. “I didn’t think she was open,” Rachel explained. “She never showed interest in anything religious.” But one day Tanya took Rachel aside and asked, “What’s going on? You’re more peaceful and patient than you used to be. Nicer too. How come?” Stunned at this unexpected opening, Rachel shared her story. It wasn’t the most polished presentation of the gospel, but a seed was planted. Months later, Tanya decided to start going to church and seek God for herself. The “Cypriots and Cyrenians” in today’s first reading also had their eyes opened to an unexpected evangelistic opportunity. These Greek-speaking Jews had never thought of preaching Christ to anyone other than fellow Jews. When they came to Antioch, however, they took the huge step of reaching out to the city’s Gentiles. Maybe they saw a spiritual hunger in these “Greeks” who worshipped at pagan shrines. Maybe they reasoned that what was good for Jews might be good for Gentiles. Maybe they were approached by some inquiring Tanyas! However it happened, they took the risk of reaching out to people they had once passed over. We can only rejoice that they followed the Spirit and disqualified no one from hearing the good news. We are surrounded by people who long to hear about God’s love. Don’t write anyone off! They may be people we know or strangers we meet in checkout lines and waiting rooms. So make it a point to be kind and friendly to as many as possible, because you don’t know how hungry for the Lord they may be. Sometimes all you may see is indifference or 30

Abide in My Word hostility, but there could be something going on much deeper. Just ask for the Spirit’s guidance, start a conversation, and see where it leads. POINT TO CONSIDER: Don’t pass any one over. Be kind and friendly to as many as possible. VERSE TO REMEMBER: Some Cypriots and Cyrenians . . . began to speak to the Greeks as well. (Acts 11:20) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Do I share God’s love with people around me, no matter how unlikely they may seem? PRAYER: “Holy Spirit, teach me how to share your love with the people around me—no matter how unlikely they may seem.” MIDDAY PRAYER your law is truth. Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 Though anguish and distress have found V/ O God, come to my assistance. me, your commands are my delight. R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. Your decrees are for ever just; give me Glory be... insight, and I shall live. Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Scripture Reading See 1 Pt 3:21-22a Psalm 119:137-144 XVIII (Sadhe) You are saved by a baptismal bath. This You are righteous, O LORD; your baptism is not a removal of dirt from the judgments are upright. You have body but an appeal to God for a clear imposed your decrees with righteousness, conscience, through the resurrection of and with utter fidelity. Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven I am consumed with zeal, for my foes and is at the right hand of God. forget your word. Your promise has been V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. thoroughly tested, and it is cherished by R/ When they saw the risen Lord, your servant. alleluia. Concluding Prayer, as in Morning Prayer Although I am young and despised, I do D I V I N E M E R C Y 3 O ’ C L O C K not forget your precepts. Your PRAYER righteousness is righteous for ever, and Refer to pages 195-197 EVENING PRAYER Psalm 138 THANKSGIVING V/ O God, come to my assistance. To the holy city the kings of the earth will R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. bring glory and honour (see Rv 21:24) Glory be... Hymn: Refer to pg 193 I thank you, LORD, with all my heart; you Ant: Though I am surrounded by affliction, have heard the words of my mouth. In the you preserve my life, alleluia. presence of the angels I praise you. I bow down towards your holy temple. I give thanks to your name for your 31

Abide in My Word INTERCESSIONS By his resurrection Christ has given sure merciful love and your faithfulness. hope to his people. Let us ask him with our You have exalted your name overall. On whole hearts: the day I called, you answered me; you R. Lord Jesus, you live for ever; hear increased the strength of my soul. our prayer. All earth kings shall thank you, O LORD, Lord Jesus, from your wounded side when they hear the words of your mouth. flowed blood and water, make the Church They shall sing the ways of the LORD, your spotless bride. R. “How great is the glory of the LORD!” Chief Shepherd, after your resurrection The LORD is high, yet he looks on the you made Peter shepherd of your flock lowly, and the haughty he knows from afar. when he professed his love for you, You give me life though I walk amid increase from day to day the love and affliction; you stretch out your hand against devotion of Francis our Pope. R. the anger of my foes. You showed your disciples how to make a With your right hand you save me; the great catch of fish, send others to continue LORD will accomplish this for me. O their work as fishers of men. R. LORD, your merciful love is eternal; At the lakeside you prepared bread and fish discard not the work of your hands. for your disciples, grant that we may never Ant: Though I am surrounded by affliction, allow others to die of hunger. R. you preserve my life, alleluia. Jesus, the new Adam and life-giving spirit, Scripture Reading 1 Pt 2:4-5 transform the dead into your own likeness, Come to the Lord, a living stone, rejected that the fulness of your joy may be theirs. by human beings but chosen and precious R. in the sight of God, and, like living stones, Private Intercession let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Magnificat Ant: I know my sheep and Our Father... they follow me; I give them eternal life, Concluding Prayer as in Morning alleluia. Prayer. Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 For night prayer refer to page 182 6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH “All my treasures are yours, and yours Wednesday of the fourth are mine.” —Message of Christ, as week of Easter (White) received by St. Jutta MORNING PRAYER Today’s Rosary: V/ Lord, open our lips, The Glorious Mysteries R/ And we shall praise your name. Glory be... 32

Abide in My Word Hymn: Refer to pg 192 know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has Ant: Zion, the Lord, your God, will power over him. As to his death, he reign for ever, alleluia. died to sin once and for all; as to his life, he lives for God. Consequently, PSALM 146 THOSE WHO you too must think of yourselves as TRUST IN GOD KNOW WHAT IT IS being dead to sin and living for God in TO BE HAPPY Christ Jesus. To praise God in our lives means all Benedictus Ant: I am the light; I have we do must be for his glory (Arnobius). come into the world that those who believe in me may not remain in My soul, give praise to the LORD; I darkness, alleluia. will praise the LORD all my life, sing Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 praise to my God while I live. INTERCESSIONS By the gift of the Father, the risen Put no trust in princes, in mortal man Christ was seen by the apostles. Let us who cannot save. Take their breath, pray, to the Father, and say: they return to the earth, and their plans R, Give us, Lord, the glory of your that day come to nothing. Son. Father of light, today we offer you our Blessed is he who is helped by Jacob’s thanks and praise for calling us into God, whose hope is in the LORD his your marvellous light, to receive your God, who made the heavens and the mercy. R. earth, the seas and all they contain, May our efforts to make the world more human, be purified and Who preserves fidelity for ever, who strengthened by the power of your does justice to those who are oppressed. Spirit. R. It is he who gives bread to the hungry, May we be so dedicated to the service the LORD who sets prisoners free, the of others, that the whole human family LORD who opens the eyes of the may become a pleasing sacrifice in blind, the LORD who raises up those your honour. R. who are bowed down. At the dawn of a new day, fill us with your mercy, that the whole day may be It is the LORD who loves the righteous, a day of joy and praise. R. the LORD who protects the stranger Private Intercession and upholds the orphan and the widow, Our Father… but thwarts the path of the wicked. The LORD will reign for ever, the God of Zion from age to age. Ant: Zion, the Lord, your God, will reign for ever, alleluia. Scripture Reading Rom 6:8-11 If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. We 33

Abide in My Word Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after Concluding Prayer fasting and praying they laid their God our Father, life of the faithful, hands on them and sent them off. So, glory of the humble, happiness of the being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they just, hear our prayer. Fill our emptiness went down to Seleucia; and from there with the blessing of the eucharist, the they sailed to Cyprus. When they foretaste of eternal joy. We ask this arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the through our Lord Jesus Christ, your word of God in the synagogues of the Son who lives and reigns with you and Jews. the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and V/ The word of the Lord. ever. R/ Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM MASS Psalm 67:2-3.5.6 and 8 (R. 4) R. Let the people praise you, O God; Entrance Antiphon Cf. Ps 18:50; 22:23 let all the people praise you! Or: Alleluia. I will praise you, Lord, among the 1. O God, be gracious and bless us and nations; I will tell of your name to my let your face shed its light upon us. So kin, alleluia. will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your salvation. R Collect 2. Let the nations be glad and shout for O God, life of the faithful, glory of the joy, with uprightness you rule the humble, blessedness of the just, listen peoples; you guide the nations on kindly to the prayers of those who call earth. R. on you, that they who thirst for what 3. Let the peoples praise you, O God; you generously promise, may always let all the peoples praise you. May God have their fill of your plenty. Through still give us his blessing that all the our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son who ends of the earth may revere him. R. lives and reigns with you and the Holy ALLELUIA John 8:12 Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Alleluia. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; he who follows me will FIRST READING have the light of life. Alleluia. A reading from the Acts of the GOSPEL Apostles 12:24-13:5a A reading from the holy Gospel “Set apart for me Barnabas and according to John 12:44-50 Saul:” “I have come as light into the world.” In those days: The word of God grew At that time: Jesus cried out and said, and multiplied. And Barnabas and Saul “He who believes in me, believes not returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their mission, bringing with them John whose other name was Mark. Now in the Church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Symeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me 34

in me but in him who sent me. And he Abide in My Word who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, that Prayer over the Offerings whoever believes in me may not O God, who by the wonderful remain in darkness. If any one hears exchange effected in this sacrifice have my sayings and does not keep them, I made us partakers of the one supreme do not judge him; for I did not come to Godhead, grant, we pray, that as we judge the world but to save the world. have come to know your truth, we may He who rejects me and does not make it ours by a worthy way of life. receive my sayings has a judge; the Through Christ our Lord. word that I have spoken will be his judge on the last day. For I have not Communion Antiphon Cf. Jn 15:16.19 spoken on my own authority; the Father who sent me has himself given I have chosen you from the world, me commandment what to say and says the Lord, and have appointed you what to speak. And I know that his to go out and bear fruit, fruit that will commandment is eternal life. What I last, alleluia. say, therefore, I say as the Father has bidden me.” Prayer after Communion V/ The Gospel of the Lord. Graciously be present to your people, R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. MEDITATION OF THE DAY Sharing The Good News There is a bond that exists between a messenger and the one who sends the message. This bond is extended to the one who receives the message and then becomes its messenger to others. They are all united in a common goal: to bring the message to fulfillment. God sent messengers into the world when he sent the prophets. But in the fullness of time God sent us his son, Jesus, who is the word made flesh. Jesus brought us the good news of salvation. He not only proclaimed the Good News but through his life, death and Resurrection brought it to fulfillment. Fulfilling the promises of God to bring salvation, Jesus is the message of Good News that goes out to the world. There is a unity between the Father who sends the message, Jesus the messenger and the message that cannot be separated or broken. Jesus proclaims this intimate bond in our Gospel reading today. Accepting Jesus and his message is accepting the one who sends them – the Father. Rejecting Jesus and his message is rejecting the one who sends them – the Father. It is not possible to accept or reject one without the other. Total acceptance leads to salvation. Rejection leads to condemnation. To accept the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ imposes a mission upon its recipient. Embracing the message makes one its messenger. We see this in the lives of the Apostles in our first reading. We hear about the preachers and teachers of the early Church. We hear how Barnabas and Saul were sent as messengers to proclaim the word of God. People accepted their message and then became messengers themselves of the Good News. Thus, through the Holy Spirit, the message of salvation through Jesus extends throughout the world. 35

Abide in My Word It is important to recognize our place in this mission of the Church. We are recipients of the message of God which comes through Jesus. Our acceptance of this message gives us our mission to be messengers of the Gospel. We can speak and live with confidence knowing that we are not alone, for when we are united with the Gospel message we are united with Jesus and the Father. We don’t have to worry whether our message is accepted or rejected. We just have to be responsible messengers who fulfill our mission to proclaim the Good News. POINT TO PONDER: Accepting the word of God, we accept its messenger, Jesus, and our Father who sends his word. VERSE TO REMEMBER: Whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. (John 12:45) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: What is my place in the mission of the Church to spread the good news I have received and accepted through our Lord Jesus? PRAYER: Lord Jesus, as I accept the messanger of God which comes through you, grant me the grace to be a messanger of the gospel. MIDDAY PRAYER far from your law. Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 But you O LORD are close; all your V/ O God, come to my assistance. commands are truth. From of old I have R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. known that your decrees are established for Glory be... ever. Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Scripture Reading 1 Jn 5:5-6a PSALM 119:145-152 XIX (Qoph) Who indeed is the victor over the world but I call with all my heart; LORD, answer me. the one who believes that Jesus is the Son I will observe your statutes. I call upon of God? This is the one who came through you; save me, and I will keep your decrees. water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have alone, but by water and blood. hoped in your word. My eyes awaken V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. before dawn, to ponder your promise. R/ When they saw the Lord, alleluia Concluding Prayer, as in Morning Prayer In your mercy, hear my voice, O LORD; DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK give me life by your decrees. Those who PRAYER pursue me with malice draw near; they are Refer to pages 195-197 EVENING PRAYER PSALM 139:1-18.23-24 V/ O God, come to my assistance. GOD SEES ALL THAT IS R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. Who has known the mind of the Lord or Glory be... who has been his coun¬sellor? (Rom 11:34). Hymn: Refer to pg 193 O LORD, you search me and you know Ant: The night will be as clear as day, me. You yourself know my resting and alleluia. my rising; you discern my thoughts from afar. You mark when I walk or lie down; 36

you know all my ways through and Abide in My Word through. Before ever a word is on my tongue, you Refer to the Magnificat on pg 193 know it, O LORD, through and through. INTERCESSIONS Behind and before, you besiege me, your In his Son, risen from the dead, God has hand ever laid upon me. Too wonderful opened for us the way to everlasting life. for me, this knowledge; too high, beyond Let us ask the Father: my reach. R. Through the victory of Christ, save the people he has redeemed. O where can I go from your spirit, or God of our ancestors, you raised your Son where can I flee from your face? If I climb Jesus from the dead and clothed him in the heavens, you are there. If I go down to glory; move our hearts to complete Sheol, you are there. repentance, that we may walk in newness If I take the wings of the dawn or dwell at of life. R. the sea’s furthest end, even there your You have led us back to the shepherd and hand would lead me; your right hand bishop of our souls, keep us faithful would hold me fast. under the guidance of the shepherds of the If I say, “Let the darkness hide me and the Church. R. light around me be night,” even darkness You chose the firstfruits of Christ’s is not dark to you, but night will be bright disciples from the Jewish people, reveal as the day, and darkness the same as the to the children of Israel the fulfilment of light. the promise made to their forefathers. R. Ant: The night will be as clear as day, Remember the lonely, the orphaned and alleluia. the widowed, and do not abandon those Scripture Reading Heb 7:24-27 who have been reconciled with you by the Jesus, because he remains forever, has a death of your Son. R. priesthood that does not pass away. You called Stephen to your presence Therefore, he is always able to save those when he bore witness to Jesus, standing at who approach God through him, since he your right hand, welcome our deceased lives forever to make intercession for brothers and sisters who in faith and love them. It was fitting that we should have hoped for the vision of your glory. R. such a high priest: holy, innocent, Private Intercession undefiled, separated from sinners, higher Our Father… than the heavens. He has no need, as did Concluding Prayer as in Morning the high priests, to offer sacrifice day after Prayer day, first for his own sins and then for those of the people; he did that once for all when he offered himself. Magnificat Ant: God sent his Son into For night prayer refer to page 182 the world not as its judge but as its saviour, alleluia. 37

Abide in My Word your hand has wrought, and to you I stretch out my hands. THURSDAY, MAY 7TH Like a parched land my soul thirsts for Thursday of the fourth week you. O LORD, make haste and answer me, for my spirit fails within me. Do 7of Easter(White) not hide your face from me, lest I become like those who go down into Today’s Rosary: the grave. The Mysteries of Light In the morning, let me know your “If a man does not keep pace with his loving mercy, for in you I place my companions, perhaps it is because he trust. Make me know the way I should hears a different drummer.” —Henry walk; to you I lift up my soul. David Thoreau Rescue me, O LORD, from my foes; MORNING PRAYER to you have I fled for refuge. Teach me V/ Lord, open our lips, to do your will, for you are my God. R/ And we shall praise your name. Let your good spirit guide me upon Glory be... ground that is level. Hymn: Refer to pg 192 LORD, save my life for the sake of Ant: Be true to your name, O Lord, your name; in your righteousness, lead and preserve my life, alleluia. my soul out of distress. PSALM 143:1-11 Ant: Be true to your name, O Lord, A PRAYER OF THE POOR IN and preserve my life, alleluia. DISTRESS Scripture Reading Rom 8:10-11 A person is not justified by works of the If Christ is in you, although the body is law but through faith in Jesus Christ dead because of sin, the spirit is alive (Gal 2:16). because of righteousness. If the Spirit O LORD, listen to my prayer; turn of the one who raised Jesus from the your ear to my appeal. You are faithful, dead dwells in you, the one who raised you are righteous; give answer. Do not Christ from the dead will give life to call your servant to judgment, for in your mortal bodies also, through his your sight no living being is righteous. Spirit that dwells in you. The enemy pursues my soul; he has Benedictus Ant: No disciple is greater crushed my life to the ground. He has than his teacher; he should be glad to made me dwell in darkness, like the become like his master, alleluia. dead, long forgotten. Therefore my Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 spirit fails; my heart is desolate within INTERCESSIONS me. God the Father has given us his Son I remember the days that are past; I ponder all your works. I muse on what 38

for the resurrection of his people. Let Abide in My Word us turn with confidence to the Father, and say: Collect R. May the Lord Jesus be our very O God, who restore human nature to life. yet greater dignity than at its beginning, As a pillar of fire, you lighted the way look upon the amazing mystery of for your people in the desert, through your loving kindness, and in those you his resurrection, may Christ be today have chosen to make new through the the light of our life. wonder of rebirth, may you preserve Through the voice of Moses you taught the gifts of your enduring grace and your people from the mountain, blessing. Through our Lord Jesus through his resurrection, may Christ be Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns today the light of our life. with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, You fed your pilgrim people with your for ever and ever. gift of manna, through his resurrection, may Christ be today the light of our FIRST READING life. A reading from the Acts of the You gave your people water from the Apostles 13:13-35 rock, through his resurrection, may Of David’s posterity God has brought Christ be today the light of our life. to Israel a Saviour, Jesus. Private Intercession Paul and his company set sail from Our Father... Paphos, and came to Perga in Concluding Prayer Pamphylia. And John left them and Father, in restoring human nature you returned to Jerusalem; but they passed have given us a greater dignity than we on from Perga and came to Antioch of had in the beginning. Keep us in your Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they love and continue to sustain those who went into the synagogue and sat down. have received new life in baptism. We After the reading of the law and the ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, prophets, the rulers of the synagogue your Son, who lives and reigns with sent to them, saying, “Brethren, if you you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for have any word of exhortation for the ever and ever. people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of MASS Israel, and you that fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose Entrance Antiphon our fathers and made the people great O God, when you went forth before during their stay in the land of Egypt, your people, marching with them and and with uplifted arm he led them out living among them, the earth trembled, of it. And for about forty years he bore heavens poured down rain, alleluia. with them in the wilderness. And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance, for about four hundred and fifty years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king; and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had 39

Abide in My Word our sins in your blood. Alleluia. GOSPEL removed him, he raised up David to be A reading from the holy Gospel their king; of whom he testified and according to John 13:16-20 said, `I have found in David, the son of “He who receives any one whom I Jesse, a man after my heart, who will send receives me.” do all my will.’ Of this man’s posterity [When Jesus had washed the feet of God has brought to Israel a Saviour, his disciples, he said to them,] “Truly, Jesus, as he promised. Before his truly, I say to you, a servant is not coming John had preached a baptism greater than his master; nor is he who of repentance to all the people of is sent greater than he who sent him. If Israel. And as John was finishing his you know these things, blessed are you course, he said, `What do you suppose if you do them. I am not speaking of that I am? I am not he. No, but after me you all; I know whom I have chosen; it one is coming, the sandals of whose is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, feet I am not worthy to untie.”’ `He who ate my bread has lifted his V/ The word of the Lord. heel against me.’ I tell you this now, R/ Thanks be to God. before it takes place, that when it does RESPONSORIAL PSALM take place you may believe that I am Psalm 89:2-3.21-22.25 and 27 (R.2a) he. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who R. I will sing forever of your mercies, receives any one whom I send receives O Lord. me; and he who receives me receives Or. Alleluia. him who sent me.” 1. I will sing forever of your mercies, V/ The Gospel of the Lord. O LORD; through all ages my mouth R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. will proclaim your fidelity. I have Prayer over the Offerings declared your mercy is established May our prayers rise up to you, O forever; your fidelity stands firm as the Lord, together with the sacrificial heavens. R. offerings, so that, purified by your 2. I have found my servant David, and graciousness, we may be conformed to with my holy oil anointed him. My the mysteries of your mighty love. hand shall always be with him, and my Through Christ our Lord. arm shall make him strong. R Communion Antiphon 3. My mercy and my faithfulness shall Behold, I am with you always, even to be with him; by my name his might the end of the age, alleluia. shall be exalted. He will call out to me, Prayer after Communion `You are my father, my God, the rock Almighty ever-living God, who restore of my salvation. R. us to eternal life in the Resurrection of ALLELUIA See Revelation 1:5ac Christ, increase in us, we pray, the Alleluia. Jesus Christ, you are a fruits of this paschal Sacrament and faithful witness, the first-born of the pour into our hearts the strength of this dead; you have loved us and washed saving food. Through Christ our Lord. 40

Abide in My Word MEDITATION OF THE DAY Continuing Christ’s Mission In Word And Deed Today’s Gospel reading takes place after Jesus has washed his disciples’ feet. He explains to them that no slave is greater than his master, and therefore they who call him master should do as he has done. If you understand this, he says, blessed are you if you do it. As disciples, what we know and how we act are equally important. By virtue of our baptism into Christ’s Body, we are each called to participate in Christ’s prophetic office. The call to preach is not just for the ordained, but for all believers. Homilies are just one form of preaching. Each of us should be able to talk about the love of Jesus and how God has kept his promises to us. Certainly, this may require courage, and we can pray for the courage to carry it out. Christ’s act of washing his disciples’ feet required him to humble himself, taking on the role of a servant. In this way, it prefigures his death on the cross, the ultimate act of humble and self-giving love. He then instructs the disciples to do the same for one another. While we may not literally wash each other’s feet, we can pay attention to what this action symbolizes. As Christians, we are called to consider the needs of others before our own, and to perform acts of loving service for them. When we do this, we represent Christ to one another. Jesus says, Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Just as the Son was sent to show the Father’s love for the world, so we have been entrusted with carrying on Christ’s mission. As we receive Christ in the Eucharist , may we be strengthened for our mission to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that the whole world may know the love the Father has shown us in Christ. POINT TO PONDER: We are called to continue Christ’s mission in word and deed. VERSE TO REMEMBER: “Truly, truly I say to you, a servant is not greater than he who sent him” (Jn. 13: 16) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: As a Christian, how am I going to respond to the call to always consider the needs of others before my own, and to perform acts of loving service for them? PRAYER: Lord, help me to manifest you in words and deeds. Strengthen me for my mission as a Christian to Love my neighbor as you have loved me. MIDDAY PRAYER Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. V/ O God, come to my assistance. PSALM 119:153-160 XX (Resh) R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. See my affliction and deliver me, for I Glory be... 41

Abide in My Word Scripture Reading Ti 3:5b-7 God saved us through the bath of do not forget your law. Uphold my rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, cause and defend me; by your promise, whom he richly poured out on us give me life. through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that we might be justified by his grace Salvation is far from the wicked, who and become heirs in hope of eternal are heedless of your statutes. life. Numberless, LORD, are your mercies; in your justice, give me life. Though my foes and oppressors are V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. countless, I have not swerved from R/ When they saw the risen Lord, your decrees. I look at the faithless alleluia. with disgust; they have not kept your Concluding Prayer as in Morning word. Prayer See how I love your precepts, O DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK LORD! In your mercy, give me life. PRAYER Truth is the sum of your word; all your Refer to pages 195-197 righteous judgments are eternal. Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Evening Prayer LORD, what is man that you regard V/ O God, come to my assistance. him, the son of man that you keep him R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. in mind, man who is merely a breath, Glory be... whose days are like a passing shadow? Hymn: Refer to pg 193 Lower your heavens, O LORD, and Ant: The Lord is my stronghold and come down. Touch the mountains; my saviour, alleluia. wreathe them in smoke. Flash your lightnings; rout the foe. Shoot your arrows, and put them to flight. PSALM 144:1-8 PRAYER FOR Reach down with your hand from on VICTORY AND PEACE high; rescue me, save me from the Christ learned the art of warfare when mighty waters, from the hands of he overcame the world, as he said: “I foreign foes whose mouths speak only have overcome the world” (St Hilary). emptiness, whose hands are raised in Blest be the LORD, my rock, who perjury. trains my hands for battle, who Ant: The Lord is my stronghold and prepares my fingers for war. my saviour, alleluia. He is my merciful love, my fortress; he Scripture Reading 1 Pt 3:18.21b-22 is my stronghold, my saviour, my Christ suffered for sins once, the shield in whom I take refuge. He righteous for the sake of the brings peoples under my role. unrighteous, that he might lead you to 42

Abide in My Word God. Put to death in the flesh, he was Father. brought to life in the spirit. And baptism saves you now. It is not a Through your resurrection you removal of dirt from the body but an confirmed the faith of your disciples appeal to God for a clear conscience and sent them out into the world, make through the resurrection of Jesus all bishops and priests faithful Christ, who has gone into heaven and preachers of the Gospel. is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. Through your resurrection, you became our peace and reconciliation, Magnificat Ant: I am the shepherd of unite the baptized in perfect my sheep. I have come that they may communion of faith and love. have life, and have it more abundantly, alleluia. Through your resurrection the crippled Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 man was healed at the gate of the temple, look on the sick and reveal in them the power of your glory. INTERCESSIONS You became the firstborn from the The Father has established in Christ dead, the firstfruits of the resurrection, the foundation of all our hope and the grant to the dead who hoped in you a principle of our resurrection. Let us share in your glory. rejoice in Christ, and cry out to him Private Intercession saying: Our Father... R. King of glory, hear our prayer. Lord Jesus, through your resurrection Concluding Prayer as in Morning you entered the sanctuary of heaven to Prayer offer the blood of your own sacrifice, For night prayer refer to page 182 lead us with you into the glory of the V/ Lord, open our lips, 8 FRIDAY, MAY 8TH R/ And we shall praise your name. Friday of the fourth week of Glory be... Easter (White) Hymn: Refer to pg 192 Ant: Christ gave himself up for us as a Today’s Rosary: sacrificial offering to God, alleluia. The Sorrowful Mysteries PSALM 51 O GOD, HAVE “The will of God is my perpetual MERCY ON ME hunger, my thirst, and my yearning.” Be renewed in the spirit of your minds, —Blessed Mary Catherine of Cairo and put on the new self (Eph 4:23-24) MORNING PRAYER 43

Abide in My Word broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn. Have mercy on me, O God, according In your good pleasure, show favour to to your merciful love; according to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. your great compassion, blot out my Then you will delight in righteous transgressions. O wash me completely sacrifice, Burnt offerings wholly from my guilt, and cleanse me from consumed. Then you will be offered my sin. young bulls on your altar. My transgressions, truly I know them; Ant: Christ gave himself up for us as a my sin is always before me. Against sacrificial offering to God, alleluia. you, you alone, have I sinned; what is Scripture Reading Acts 5:30-32 evil in your sight I have done. So you The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, are just in your sentence, without though you had him killed by hanging reproach in your judgment. him on a tree. God exalted him at his O see, in guilt I was born, a sinner right hand as leader and saviour to when my mother conceived me. Yes, grant Israel repentance and forgiveness you delight in sincerity of heart; in of sins. We are witnesses of these secret you teach me wisdom. Cleanse things, as is the Holy Spirit that God me with hyssop, and I shall be pure; has given to those who obey him. wash me, and I shall be whiter than Benedictus Ant: I go now to prepare a snow. place for you, but I shall return to take Let me hear rejoicing and gladness, you with me, so that where I am, you that the bones you have crushed may also may be, alleluia. exult. Turn away your face from my Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 sins, and blot out all my guilt. INTERCESSIONS Create a pure heart for me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence; take not your holy spirit from me. Restore in me the joy of your salvation; God the Father raised up Christ sustain in me a willing spirit. I will through the Spirit, and will also raise teach transgressors your ways, that up our mortal bodies. Let us cry out to sinners may return to you. him: Rescue me from bloodshed, O God, R. Lord, raise us to life through your God of my salvation, and then my Holy Spirit. tongue shall ring out your All-holy Father, you accepted the righteousness. O Lord, open my lips holocaust of your Son in raising him and my mouth shall proclaim your from the dead, accept the offering we praise. make today, and lead us to eternal life. For in sacrifice you take no delight; R. burnt offering from me would not Look with favour on all we do today, please you. My sacrifice to God, a that it may be for your glory and the 44

sanctification of the world. R. Abide in My Word May our work today not be in vain but for the good of the whole world, and FIRST READING through it lead us to your kingdom. R. A reading from the Acts of the Open our eyes today to recognise our Apostles 13:26-33 brothers and sisters, and our hearts to What God promised he has fulfilled love them, so that we may love and by raising Jesus. serve each other. R. In those days: [When Paul came to Private Intercession Antioch of Pisidia, he said in the Our Father... synagogue,] “Brethren, sons of the Concluding Prayer family of Abraham, and those among Father of our freedom and salvation, you that fear God, to us has been sent hear the prayers of those redeemed by the message of this salvation. For your Son’s suffering. Through you those who live in Jerusalem and their may we have life; with you may we rulers, because they did not recognise have eternal joy. We ask this through him nor understand the utterances of our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who the prophets which are read every lives and reigns with you and the Holy sabbath, fulfilled these by condemning Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. him. Though they could charge him with nothing deserving death, yet they MASS asked Pilate to have him killed. And when they had fulfilled all that was’ Entrance Antiphon written of him, they took him down You have redeemed us. Lord, by your from the tree, and laid him in a tomb. Blood, from every tribe and tongue But God raised him from the dead; and and people and nation, and have made for many days he appeared to those us into a kingdom, priests for our God, who came up with him from Galilee to alleluia. Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus; as also it is written in the second psalm, `You are my Son, today I have begotten you.”’ Opening Prayer V/ The word of the Lord. O God, author of our freedom and of R/ Thanks be to God. our salvation, listen to the voice of our RESPONSORIAL PSALM pleading and grant that those you have Psalm 2:6-7.8-9.10-I2a(R.7bc) redeemed by the shedding of your R. You are my son. It is I who have Son’s Blood may have life through begotten you this day. you and, under your protection, rejoice Or: Alleluia. for ever unharmed. Through our Lord 1. “It is I who have appointed my king Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and on Sion, my holy mountain.” I will reigns with you in the unity of the announce the decree of the Lord: The Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. 45

Abide in My Word you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you Lord said to me, “You are my Son. It may be also. And you know the way is I who have begotten you this day.” where I am going.” Thomas said to R. him, “Lord, we do not know where 2. “Ask of me and I will give you the you are going; how can we know the nations as your inheritance, and the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the ends of the earth as your possession. way, and the truth, and the life; no one With a rod of iron you will rule them; comes to the Father, but by me.” like a potter’s jar you will shatter V/ The Gospel of the Lord. them.” R. R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. 3. “So now, O kings, understand; take Prayer over the Offerings warning, rulers of the earth. Serve the Accept in compassion. Lord, we pray, Lord with fear; exult with trembling, the offerings of your family, that under pay him your homage.” R. your protective care they may never ALLELUIA John 14:6 lose what they have received, but Alleluia. I am the way, and the truth, attain the gifts that are eternal. Through and the life, says the Lord; no one Christ our Lord. comes to the Father, but by me. Communion Antiphon Alleluia. Christ our Lord was handed over for GOSPEL our transgressions and was raised A reading from the holy Gospel again for our justification, alleluia. according to John 14: 1-6 Prayer after Communion “I am the way, and the truth, and the Keep safe, O Lord, we pray, those life.” whom you have saved by your At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, kindness, that, redeemed by the “Let not your hearts be troubled; Passion of your Son, they may rejoice believe in God, believe also in me. In in his Resurrection. Who lives and my Father’s house are many rooms; if reigns for ever and ever. it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for MEDITATION OF THE DAY Overflowing With The Good News Of The Gospel Do you recognize this story? Most likely, you do. In these few verses, through his account of St. Paul’s preaching, Luke has penned the heart of the gospel message. He managed to cram years of Jesus’ ministry into a few short sentences—along with a backdrop, a plot, and a climax! Let’s see . . . Jesus came to the people he and his Father created, but we didn’t recognize him. Though he was an innocent man, we condemned him to die a criminal’s death. He was crucified and buried in a tomb sealed by a large stone. But God raised him from the dead to be the fulfillment of his promises and the answer to our prayers. That’s the “word of salvation,” or the gospel, in a nutshell (Acts 13:26). It’s pretty simple, isn’t it? In fact, it’s easy enough that probably anyone could recount this 46

Abide in My Word story. And that’s exactly the point. We can all be witnesses to this joyfully simple plan of redemption. We can all respond to the call to evangelize. But sometimes it can feel pretty hard to get those words out of our mouths, even when the perfect opportunity presents itself. Why is that? One of the most common reasons is that we doubt our effectiveness. We wonder whether we can make the gospel attractive enough or persuasive enough to convince someone to receive it. We may get so anxious that we don’t say anything at all! But the soul-tugging power of the gospel doesn’t come from us. Yes, we need to share the truth as we have come to know it, but only God himself is in charge of changing someone’s heart. It’s only by a work of his grace that someone is moved to open his or her heart to the Lord. Only the Spirit of God can drive the point home, not our eloquent words. What a huge relief! POINT TO PONDER: Always remember that you don’t have to be a theologian or a priest or religious to share the gospel. All you have to be is open and available to proclaim the simple message and then to leave the heavy lifting to God. VERSE TO REMEMBER: We ourselves are proclaiming this good news to you. (Acts 13:32) QUESTION TO CONSIDER: What is hindering me from answering the call to share the gospel, and how will I overcome it? PRAYER: “Lord, fill me so full of your love that I overflow with the good news of the gospel.” MIDDAY PRAYER safe; they plan to make me stumble. Regina Caeli: Refer to pg 193 The proud have hidden a trap, Have V/ O God, come to my assistance. spread out lines in a net, set snares R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. across my path. Glory be... I have said to the LORD, “You are my Hymn: Refer to pg 192 God.” Give ear, O LORD, to the cry of Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. my appeal! LORD, my Lord, my Psalm 140:2-9.13-14 mighty help, you shield my head in the LORD, YOU ARE MY REFUGE battle. Do not grant, O LORD, the The Son of Man is to be handed over to wicked their desire, nor let their plots sinners (Mt 26:45) succeed. Rescue me, LORD, from evil men; I know the LORD will avenge the from the violent man keep me safe, poor, that he will do justice for the from those who plan evil in their needy. Truly the righteous will give hearts, and stir up strife every day; thanks to your name; the upright shall who sharpen their tongue like an live in your presence. adder’s, with the poison of viper on Ant: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. their lips. Scripture Reading Gal 3:27-28 LORD, guard me from the hands of All of you who were baptised into the wicked; from violent men keep me Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you 47

Abide in My Word Concluding Prayer as in Morning Prayer. are all one in Christ Jesus. DIVINE MERCY 3 O’CLOCK V/ The disciples rejoiced, alleluia. PRAYER R/ When they saw the risen Lord, Refer to pages 195-197 alleluia. EVENING PRAYER Magnificat Ant: The Good Shepherd V/ O God, come to my assistance. laid down his life for his sheep, R/ O Lord, make haste to help me. alleluia. Glory be... Refer to the Magnificat on pg 194 Hymn: Refer to pg 193 INTERCESSIONS Ant: The Lord is my strength, I shall Let us praise Christ, the source of all always praise him, for he has become life and the foundation of all virtue: my saviour, alleluia. R. Lord, establish your kingdom in Canticle Rev 15:3-4 HYMN OF the world. ADORATION Jesus our Saviour, you died in your Mighty and wonderful are your works, human nature but were restored to life Lord God Almighty! Righteous and by the Spirit, make us die to sin, and true are your ways, O King of the live by the Spirit. R. nations! You sent your disciples into the whole Who would dare refuse you honour, or world to preach the Gospel to every the glory due to your name, O Lord? creature, inspire those who preach the Since you alone are holy, all nations Gospel to live by your Spirit. R. shall come and worship in your All power in heaven and on earth has presence. Your mighty deeds are been given to you, to bear witness to clearly seen. the truth, keep the hearts of those who Ant: The Lord is my strength, I shall govern us faithful to the truth. R. always praise him, for he has become You make all things new, and command my saviour, alleluia. us to wait and watch for your kingdom, Scripture Reading Heb 5:8-10 grant that the more we look forward to Son though he was, Christ learned a new heaven and a new earth, the obedience from what he suffered; and more we may seek to better this present when he was made perfect, he became world. R. the source of eternal salvation for all You went down among the dead to who obey him, declared by God high bring them the good news of the priest according to the order of Gospel, be the great joy and hope of all Melchizedek. the dead. R. 48

Private Intercession Abide in My Word For night prayer refer to page 182 Our Father... Concluding Prayer as in Morning your works! How deep are your designs! Prayer The senseless man cannot know this, and the fool cannot understand. 9 SATURDAY, MAY 9TH Though the wicked spring up like grass, Saturday of the fourth week of and all who do evil thrive, they are Easter (White) doomed to be eternally destroyed. But you, O LORD, are eternally on high. Today’s Rosary: See, your enemies, O LORD, see, your The Joyful Mysteries enemies will perish; all who do evil will “My God, I adore Your divine be scattered. perfections; I adore Your divine Justice; To me you give the wild ox’s strength; I abandon myself to it with my whole you have poured out on me purest oil. heart.” —Blessed Mary Catherine of St. My eyes looked in triumph on my foes; Augustine my ears heard gladly of their fall. The MORNING PRAYER righteous will flourish like the palm tree, V/ Lord, open our lips, and grow like a Lebanon cedar. R/ And we shall praise your name. Planted in the house of the LORD, they Glory be... will flourish in the courts of our God, Hymn: Refer to pg 192 still bearing fruit when they are old, still Ant: How wonderful are your works, O full of sap, still green, to proclaim that Lord, alleluia. the LORD is upright. In him, my rock, there is no wrong. Psalm 92 Ant: How wonderful are your works, O PRAISE OF GOD THE CREATOR Lord, alleluia. Sing in praise of Christ’s redeeming Scripture Reading Rom 14:7-9 work (St Athanasius). None of us lives for oneself, and no one It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to dies for oneself. For if we live, we live make music to your name, O Most High, for the Lord and if we die, we die for the to proclaim your loving mercy in the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we morning, and your truth in the watches are the Lord’s. For this is why Christ of the night, on the ten-stringed lyre and died and came to life, that he might be the lute, with the sound of song on the Lord of both the dead and the living. harp. Benedictus Ant: When the prince of You have gladdened me, O LORD, by pastors comes again, you will receive your deeds; for the work of your hands I from him an unfading crown of glory, shout with joy. O LORD, how great are alleluia. 49

Abide in My Word Refer to the Benedictus on pg 194 Collect INTERCESSIONS O God, who in the celebration of Easter Christ has made known to us the life that graciously give to the world the healing lasts for ever. With faith and joy let us of heavenly remedies, show benevolence cry out to him, saying: to your Church, that our present R. Lord, may your resurrection bring observance may benefit us for eternal us the riches of your grace. life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Eternal Shepherd, look on your flock as Son, who lives and reigns with you in the it rises from sleep, feed us with the word unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for of life and the bread from heaven. R. ever and ever. Keep us safe from wolf and hireling, and FIRST READING make us faithful in listening to your A reading from the Acts of the Apostles voice. R. 13:44-52 You are present to all who preach your “Behold, we turn to the Gentiles.” Gospel, and give power to their words, The next Sabbath almost the whole city make us today preachers of your gathered together to hear the word of resurrection by our holiness of life. R. God. But when the Jews saw the Be our great joy that no one can take multitudes, they were filled with from us, so that we may reject sin with jealousy and contradicted what was its sadness, and reach out to eternal life. spoken by Paul and reviled him. And R. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, Private Intercession saying, “It was necessary that the word Our Father... of God should be spoken first to you. Concluding Prayer Since you thrust it from you, and judge Father, may we whom you renew in yourselves unworthy of eternal life, baptism bear witness to our faith by the behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so way we live. By the suffering, death, and the Lord has commanded us, saying, `I resurrection of your Son may we come to have set you to be a light for the Gentiles, eternal joy. We ask this through our Lord that you may bring salvation to the Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and uttermost parts of the earth.”’ And when reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one the Gentiles heard this, they were glad God, for ever and ever. and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life MASS believed. And the word of the Lord spread throughout all the region. But the Entrance Antiphon Cf. 1 Pt 2:9 Jews incited the devout women of high O chosen people, proclaim the mighty standing and the leading men of the city, works of him who called you out of and stirred up persecution against Paul darkness into his wonderful light, and Barnabas, and drove them out of alleluia. their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. V/ The word of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 98:1.2-3ab. 3cd-4(R.3cd) 50