$4.95 Psalm 51:14, March 21 Responsorial March 51:14, Psalm ^ MARCH 2021 MARCH Give me back the joy of your salvation. salvation. of your me back the joy Give YOUR DAILY COMPANION FOR PRAYING AND LIVING THE EUCHARIST LIVING THE AND PRAYING FOR COMPANION DAILY YOUR
MARCH 2021 LITURGICAL CALENDAR for MARCH 2021
MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN WEEKDAY 1 WEEKDAY 2 WEEKDAY 3 WEEKDAY 4 WEEKDAY 5 WEEKDAY 6
St. Katharine Drexel St. Casimir 7 x THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT HOURS: WEEK III LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN WEEKDAY 8 WEEKDAY 9 WEEKDAY 10 WEEKDAY 11 WEEKDAY 12 WEEKDAY 13
St. John of God St. Frances of Rome 14 x FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT HOURS: WEEK IV LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN ST. JOSEPH, LENTEN WEEKDAY 15 WEEKDAY 16 WEEKDAY 17 WEEKDAY 18 SPOUSE OF 19 WEEKDAY 20 THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
St. Patrick St. Cyril of Jerusalem HOURS: PROPER PSS 21 x FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT HOURS: WEEK I LENTEN LENTEN LENTEN THE LENTEN LENTEN WEEKDAY 22 WEEKDAY 23 WEEKDAY 24 ANNUNCIATION 25 WEEKDAY 26 WEEKDAY 27 OF THE LORD
St. Turibius of Mogrovejo HOURS: PROPER PSS 28 x PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD HOURS: WEEK II MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY OF HOLY WEEK 29 OF HOLY WEEK 30 OF HOLY WEEK 31
*Memorials in italics are optional LIVING WITH CHRIST THIS MONTH Transforming ourselves this Lent
FR. JOHN FRANCK, A.A. » [email protected]
When I was first studying theology as a young Assumptionist, an appeal went out from our superior general for young people who spoke English to spend the summer at our community in Jerusalem, which was built on the site of the House of Caiaphas. We were to work as guides for pilgrims. I spent three summers there and found ample time to travel the country. One of my favorite sites was the Mount of Transfiguration, which plays such a prominent role during the Second Week of Lent. Lent is essentially about transfiguration, about the invitation to be transformed by configuring ourselves more and more each day to the Master who calls us to follow him. Church tradition holds that the site of the Transfiguration is Mount Tabor, isolated in the Jezreel Valley. From there, one can see for miles in every direction. Several times I climbed the mountain by foot—exhausting, but a reminder of the effort it can take to gain perspective in our lives. Lent is that opportunity for us to step away from the ordinary to gain a greater perspective. It is an opportunity to take the actions that are necessary to see ourselves and the road ahead more clearly. It is a time to hear the voice of God saying, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” How do I want to see myself transformed this Lent? What does it mean for me to listen to him? ] livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 1 Contents MARCH 2021 ] VOLUME 21 | NUMBER 3
daily personal prayer Prayer in the morning...... 3 Gospel canticles...... 4 Prayer in the evening...... 6 The pope’s A prayer for each day ...... 7 intention reflections for March This month’s Scriptures...... 16 Guide for the journey...... 18 Praying with the Scriptures...... 20 Evangelization: Wisdom from our friends...... 23 Sacrament of reconciliation our eucharistic liturgy The Order of Mass ...... 27 Let us pray that we may experience daily readings & prayers the sacrament of Second Week of Lent reconciliation with » March 1-6...... 57 renewed depth, to Third Week of Lent » March 7-13...... 85 taste the infinite Fourth Week of Lent mercy of God. » March 14-20...... 126 St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary » March 19...... 160 DEAR READERS: We invite you to submit your images for consideration of future covers Fifth Week of Lent of Living with Christ! We welcome and » March 21-27...... 171 encourage artwork and image submissions that reflect the life of the Church in the The Annunciation of the Lord United States . For more information, please see page 224 . » March 25 ...... 201
2 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( DAILY PERSONAL(page PRAYER 70 Ps 1 monday [
Prayer in the morning
INVITATION TO PRAYER month’s booklet: Use the Entrance Antiphon for the day or the following: monday Ps 1 (page 70) tuesday Ps 19 (page 88) Lord, open our lips. wednesday Ps 81 (page 118) And we shall proclaim your praise. thursday Ps 40 (page 202) Glory to God in the highest. friday Ps 51 (page 122) And peace to God’s people on earth. saturday Ps 105 (page 75) Play or sing a favorite song of praise. sunday Ps 147 (page 110)
OPENING PRAYER You might also use the Song of Use the Collect of the day, the Zechariah, Luke 1:68-79 (page 4). suggested prayer for the day (page 7), After the psalm, spend some quiet or a prayer of your own choosing. time considering the challenges that might occur as you are living with SCRIPTURE READING Christ during the coming day. Choose one of the Scripture readings After reflecting, offer some sponta- from the day. neous petitions and intercessions.
REFLECTION CLOSING PRAYER Pray silently about the Scripture Pray a spontaneous prayer or the passage, letting the Holy Spirit guide Lord’s Prayer. Conclude with a you so that you may discover God’s blessing, the suggested prayer for the message today. day (page 7), or another prayer of Pray a psalm of praise. These your own choosing. ] morning psalms can be found in this livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 3 DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER
Gospel canticles
The gospel canticles (or “songs”) come from Luke’s gospel. In honor of the mystery of the Incarnation (to which all three refer), it is customary to make the sign of the cross as the canticle begins and to stand while it is sung.
The Song of Zechariah This was the oath he swore (Luke 1:68-79) to our father Abraham: Blessed be the Lord, to set us free from the the God of Israel; hands of our enemies, he has come to his people free to worship him and set them free. without fear, He has raised up for us holy and righteous a mighty savior, in his sight all the days born of the house of our life. of his servant David. You, my child, shall be called Through his prophets the prophet of the he promised of old Most High, that he would save us for you will go before the from our enemies, Lord to prepare his way, from the hands to give his people of all who hate us. knowledge of salvation He promised to show mercy by the forgiveness of to our fathers their sins. and to remember In the tender compassion his holy covenant. of our God
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the dawn from on high from their thrones, shall break upon us, and has lifted up the lowly. to shine on those He has filled the hungry who dwell in darkness with good things, and the shadow of death, and the rich he has sent and to guide our feet away empty. into the way of peace. He has come to the help of his servant Israel The Song of Mary for he has remembered (Luke 1:46-55) his promise of mercy, My soul proclaims the the promise he made greatness of the Lord, to our fathers, my spirit rejoices in God to Abraham and his children my Savior for ever. for he has looked with favor upon his lowly servant. The Song of Simeon From this day all generations (Luke 2:29-32) will call me blessed: Lord, now let your servant the Almighty has done go in peace; great things for me, your word has been fulfilled: and holy is his Name. my own eyes have seen He has mercy on those who the salvation fear him in every generation. which you have prepared He has shown the strength in the sight of every people: of his arm, a light to reveal you and has scattered the proud to the nations in their conceit. and the glory of your He has cast down the mighty people Israel. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 5 DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER
Prayer in the evening
INVITATION TO PRAYER wednesday Ps 31 (page 65) Use the Entrance Antiphon for the day thursday Ps 46 (page 147) or the following: friday Ps 130 (page 177) O God, come to our assistance. saturday Ps 145 (page 152) Lord, make haste to help us. sunday Ps 103 (page 80) Play or sing a favorite song of praise. You might also use the Song of Mary,
OPENING PRAYER the Magnificat, Luke 1:46-55, or the Use the Collect of the day, the Song of Simeon, Luke 2:29-32 suggested prayer for the day (page 7), (page 5). or a prayer of your own choosing. After the psalm, spend a few minutes looking back over the day, SCRIPTURE READING quietly reflecting on how you met the Choose one of the Scripture readings challenges of living with Christ today. from the day. After this time for reflection, offer some spontaneous petitions and REFLECTION intercessions or use the ones for this Pray silently to understand and apply week found at the end of each Sunday. the Scripture passage to your life. Pray a psalm of thanks or trust. CLOSING PRAYER These evening psalms may be found Pray a spontaneous prayer or the in this month’s booklet: Lord’s Prayer. Conclude with a blessing, the suggested prayer for monday Ps 23 (page 134) the day (page 7), or a prayer of tuesday Ps 25 (page 105) your own choosing. ]
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A prayer for each day
March 2021
Monday us, even in this earthly exile. Precious Blood, ocean of And however virtuous we may 1 divine mercy: flow upon be, our virtue always depends us! Precious Blood, most pure on your great warmth and gen- offering: procure us every grace! erosity. Your bounty is infinite. Precious Blood, hope and refuge How wonderful are your works. of sinners: atone for us! Precious Amen. Blood, delight of holy souls: st. teresa of ávila draw us! Amen. st. catherine of siena Wednesday Save me, Lord, in your Tuesday 3 mercy. You are the God of How great is your good- those who repent, and in me 2 ness, Lord! Blessed are you you will manifest your good- forever. May all created things ness. You will save me accord- praise you, O God, for loving us ing to your great mercy, and I so much that we can truthfully will praise you continually all speak of your fellowship with the days of my life. For all the livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 7
host of heaven sings your praise, and without sin. Therefore, and yours is the glory for ever. accept my prayer together with Amen. the tears I offer you through orthodox christian service of your holy ones, the victors in great compline the arena. Purify me, so that on departing toward you my pas- Thursday sage may be hastened. Amen. Father, give the spirit power st. melania the younger 4 to climb to the fountain of all light and be purified. Shine Saturday forth in splendor! You are calm Lord, I believe in you: weather and a quiet resting 6 increase my faith. I trust in place for faithful souls. To see you: strengthen my trust. I love you is the end and the begin- you: let me love you more and ning. You carry us and go before more. I am sorry for my sins: us; you are the journey and the deepen my sorrow. I worship journey’s end. Amen. you as my first beginning, I long bl. severinus boethius for you as my last end, I praise you as my constant helper, and Friday call on you as my loving protec- I have consecrated my tor. Guide me by your wisdom, 5 entire self to you, O Lord, correct me with your justice, and taking me by your right comfort me with your mercy, hand you have led me with protect me with your power. I your counsel. But in my human offer you, Lord, my thoughts: frailty I have sinned both in to be fixed on you; my words: word and deed many times to have you for their theme; against you, who alone are pure my actions: to reflect my love
8 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( (page 134 Ps 23 monday [ for you; my sufferings: to be devise evil against another. If endured for your greater glory. any devise evil against me, may Amen. I escape uninjured and without st. clement xi inflicting harm. May I love, seek, and attain only that which is Sunday good. Amen. Lord, you were rich, yet, for st. eusebius 7 our sakes, you became poor. You promised that whatever is Tuesday done for the least of your broth- O eternal God, turn us into ers and sisters is done for you. 9 the arms and hands, the Give us grace to be always will- legs and feet of your beloved ing to provide for the needs of Son, Jesus. You gave birth to us those whose parents have died on earth to become his living or whose homes are broken, that body. Make us worthy to be his your kingdom of service and limbs and so worthy to share in love may extend throughout the his eternal bliss. Amen. world, to your unending glory. st. hildegard of bingen Amen. st. augustine of hippo Wednesday Set our hearts on fire Monday 10 with love for you, May I be no one’s enemy, O Christ our God, that in its 8 and may I be the friend of flame we may love you with all that which is eternal and abides. our heart, with all our mind, May I never quarrel with those with all our soul, and with all nearest me, and if I do, may I be our strength, and our neighbors reconciled quickly. May I never as ourselves, so that, keeping livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 9
your commandments, we may work, and bless all that we do glorify you, the giver of all good for you. Help us to carry out all gifts. Amen. our activities for your honor eastern orthodox church and glory and for the salvation of your people. Guide us in all Thursday we do, and help us build your Save me, Lord, king of kingdom and come to our just 11 eternal glory. Grant that reward through Jesus Christ our I may long for, do, and perfect Lord. Amen. those things that are pleasing traditional to you and beneficial for me. Give me counsel in my anxi- Saturday ety, help in time of trial, solace I believe, Lord, but let when persecuted, and strength 13 me believe more firmly. against every temptation. I hope, Lord, but let me hope Grant me pardon, Lord, for my more surely. I love, Lord, but let past wrongdoings and afflic- me love more warmly. I repent, tions, correction of my present Lord, but let me repent more ones, and deign also to protect deeply. Lord, give me humility, me against those in the future. meekness, chastity, patience, Amen. and charity. Teach me goodness, eleventh-century prayer knowledge, and discipline. Give me your love together with your Friday grace, and I will be rich enough. Heavenly Father, maker My God, my Jesus, my all in all. 12 of heaven and earth, we Amen. praise you for your glory. Bless st. anthony claret us as we continue to do our
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Sunday serve you.” Amen. Almighty God, thank st. teresa of calcutta 14 you for the job of this day. May we find gladness in all Tuesday its toil and difficulty, its plea- Incline us, O God, sure and success, and even in 16 to think humbly on our- its failure and sorrow. May we selves, to be saved only in look always away from ourselves the examination of our own and behold the glory and the conduct, to consider our fellow need of the world, that we may creatures with kindness, and to have the will and the strength judge of all they say and do with to bring the gift of gladness to the charity which we would others; that with them we stand desire from them ourselves. to bear the burden and heat of Amen. the day and offer you the praise jane austen of work well done. Amen. charles lewis slattery Wednesday May the strength of Monday 17 God guide us. May the Lord, may I see you in power of God preserve us. May 15 the person of your sick, the wisdom of God instruct us. and, while nursing them, minis- May the hand of God protect us. ter unto you. Though you hide May the way of God direct us. yourself behind the disguise of May the shield of God defend the irritable, the exacting, and us. May the angels of God guard the unreasonable, may I still us against the snares of the evil recognize you and say, “Jesus, one. May Christ be with us! my patient, how sweet it is to May Christ be before us! May livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 11
Christ be in us, Christ be over ful of us, most powerful protec- all! May your grace, Lord, always tor, from your place in heaven, be ours, this day, O Lord, and and, as you snatched the child forever. Amen. Jesus from danger of death, so st. patrick now defend the holy Church of God from the snares of the Thursday enemy and from all adversity. My God, I believe that Guard each one of us by your 18 you watch over all who perpetual patronage, so that, hope in you, and that we can sustained by your example and want for nothing when we help, we may live in holiness, rely upon you in all things. die a holy death, and obtain the Therefore I am resolved for the everlasting happiness of heaven. future to cast all my cares upon Amen. you. My confidence in you fills pope leo xiii me with hope. Amen. st. claude de la colombière, s.j. Saturday Christ, Savior of all life, Friday 20 you come to us always. In our tribulation we fly Welcoming you in the peace of 19 to you, O blessed Joseph. our nights, in the silence of our We ask with confidence for your days, in the beauty of creation, patronage. By your powerful aid, in the hours of great combat help us in our needs. Protect, within, welcoming you is know- most careful guardian of the ing that you will be with us in holy family, the chosen people every situation, always. Amen. of Jesus Christ. Keep us from all br. roger of taizé error and corruption. Be mind-
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Sunday O Lord, show your 21 mercy to me and gladden my heart. I am like the man on the way to Jericho who was over- taken by robbers, wounded, and left for dead. O Good Samaritan, come to my aid. I am like the sheep that went astray. O Good Shepherd, seek me out and bring me home in accord with your will. Let me dwell in your house all the days of my life and praise you for ever and ever with those who are there. Amen. st. jerome
Monday Eternal God, the 22 refuge of all your children, in our weakness, you are our strength; in our darkness, you are our light; in our sorrow, you
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are our comfort and peace. May ten Son that we should love we always live in your presence one another even as you love and serve you in our daily lives. us, and who gave your beloved Amen. st. boniface Son for our life and salvation, we pray, O Lord, that you give to Tuesday us, your servants, during our life Lord, God of peace, we on earth, a mind that forgets the 23 bless you and we thank past ill will, a pure conscience, you because you have sent us sincere thoughts, and a heart your beloved Son, Jesus. Open to love our brothers and sisters. yet more our hearts to the needs Amen. of all our brothers and sisters, st. cyril of alexandria so that we may be better able to build a true peace. Remember Thursday all who are in pain, who suffer Most chaste virgin Mary, and die in the cause of a more 25 by the spotless purity just world. For the people of with which you prepared for every race, of every tongue, may the Son of God a dwelling of your kingdom come—your delight in your virginal womb, kingdom of justice, of peace, of I beg of you to intercede for love. And may the earth be filled me that I may be cleansed from with your glory. Amen. every stain. Most humble virgin, st. pope paul vi by that most profound humil- ity by which you deserved to be Wednesday raised high above all the choirs God of love, who has of angels and saints, I beg of you 24 given a new command- to intercede for me that all my ment through your only begot- sins may be forgiven. Most ami-
14 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( (page 134 Ps 23 monday [ able Mary, by that indescribable Saturday love that united you so closely You who are over us, and inseparably to God, I beg 27 You who are one of us, of you to intercede for me that I You who are also within us, may obtain an abundance of all May all see you—in me also. merits. Amen. May I prepare the way for you, st. gertrude the great May I thank you for all that shall fall to my lot. Friday May I also not forget the needs God, of your goodness, of others. 26 give me yourself, for you Give me a pure heart— are sufficient for me. I may not that I may see you, correctly ask for anything less, A humble heart— to be worthy of you. If I were that I may hear you, to ask anything less, I should A heart of love— always be in need, for in you that I may serve you, alone do I have all. Amen. A heart of faith— julian of norwich that I may abide in you. Amen. dag hammarskjøld
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 15 REFLECTIONS
This month’s Scriptures REV. GEORGE SMIGA
Our story
he story of the man born blind on March 14th (Cycle A on page 135) is our story. It tells us that, often, we are not the ones who choose to see. And it also tells us that we often do not see completely until the end. TThe blind man doesn’t ask Jesus to heal him. Jesus was passing by, saw the man, made a paste, spread it on his eyes, and told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam. The blind man did not choose Jesus; Jesus chose him. Without his planning or seeking, the man was given a new life. The same is true for us. Sometimes, the most important steps in our lives are not choices we make well ahead of time, but are choices that are suddenly presented to us. Do you remember how you decided on your career? How you met your spouse? We become the people we are, not only through our own decisions, but through God’s gift. The Letter to the Ephesians (March 14th, Cycle B on page 129) makes this clear: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.” Like the man born blind, Jesus steps into our lives and, suddenly, we are better
16 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( (page 134 Ps 23 monday [ able to see how our future will unfold. But we do not see completely until the end. When the blind man first received his sight, he under- stood some things, but not all. It took con- versations with his neighbors and opposition JESUS IS PRESENT from the religious leaders before he could AT THE kneel before Jesus and say, “Lord, I believe.” BEGINNING AND The same is true for us. When we first begin AT THE END. our careers or enter our marriage, we under- JESUS IS THERE stand some things. But vision is only clear in TO CELEBRATE hindsight. Only after looking back on our WITH US ALL THE marriage—a marriage that faced crisis and GIFTS THAT HAVE survived, or a marriage that failed—do we BEEN GIVEN. realize how our lives have flowed. Only after years of living our career—seeing its progress and mistakes—do we real- ize the people we have become. It takes many joys and sorrows, successes and downturns, before true and clear vision is possible. And the good news of the man born blind is this: Jesus is present at the beginning and at the end. He first seeks out the blind man to give him sight, and then he seeks him out again after he is thrown out of the synagogue. This should give us hope because it tells us that Jesus is not only the one who launches our career and our relationships, he is also the one who completes the vision. Jesus is there to celebrate with us all the gifts that have been given. And when Jesus comes to us at the end of our earthly life, we will see everything. ]
Fr. George Smiga holds a doctorate in sacred theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University. He teaches at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology in Wickliffe, Ohio, and is pastor of St. Noel Church in Willoughby Hills, Ohio. His website is www.buildingontheword.org. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 17 REFLECTIONS
Guide for the journey POPE FRANCIS
Year of St. Joseph
Since we celebrate the life and ministry of St. Joseph during this month of March (and especially on March 19), we present below an excerpt of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter released last December and titled “Patris corde” (With a Father’s Heart). In recalling the 150th anniversary of the declaration of Saint Joseph as Patron of the Universal Church, Pope Francis proclaimed a “Year of Saint Joseph” that will run from December 8, 2020, to December 8, 2021. The Holy Father said, “The aim of this Apostolic Letter is to increase our love for this great saint, to encourage us to implore his intercession and to imitate his virtues and his zeal.”
ach of us can discover in Joseph—the man who goes unno- ticed, a daily, discreet, and hidden presence—an intercessor, a support, and a guide in times of trouble. Saint Joseph reminds us that those who appear hidden or in the shadows can play Ean incomparable role in the history of salvation. A word of recognition and of gratitude is due to them all.
1. A beloved father The greatness of Saint Joseph is that he was the spouse of Mary and the father of Jesus. In this way, he placed himself, in the words of Saint
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John Chrysostom, “at the service of the entire plan of salvation.”7 Saint Paul VI pointed out that Joseph concretely expressed his father- hood “by making his life a sacrificial service to the mystery of the incar- nation and its redemptive purpose. He employed his legal authority over the Holy Family to devote himself completely to them in his life and work. He turned his human vocation to domestic love into a superhuman oblation of himself, his heart and all his abilities, a love placed at the service of the Messiah who was growing to maturity in his home.”8 Thanks to his role in salvation history, Saint Joseph has always been venerated as a father by the Christian people….As a descendant of David (cf. Mt 1:16-20), from whose stock Jesus was to spring according to the promise made to David by the prophet Nathan (cf. 2 Sam 7), and as the spouse of Mary of Nazareth, Saint Joseph stands at the crossroads between the Old and New Testaments…. Joseph found happiness not in mere self-sacrifice but in self-gift. In him, we never see frustration but only trust. His patient silence was the prelude to concrete expressions of trust. Our world today needs fathers. It has no use for tyrants who would domineer others as a means of compensating for their own needs….Every true vocation is born of the gift of oneself, which is the fruit of mature sacrifice. The priesthood and consecrated life likewise require this kind of maturity. Whatever our vocation, whether to marriage, celibacy or virginity, our gift of self will not come to fulfillment if it stops at sacrifice.]
7. In Matthaeum Homiliae, V, 3: PG 57, 58. 8. Homily (19 March 1966): Insegnamenti di Paolo VI, IV (1966), 110.
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 19 REFLECTIONS
Praying with the Scriptures ALICE CAMILLE
Written on our hearts
Find a quiet spot to read, reflect, and pray. You may record your thoughts in a prayer journal, or share your responses with others in a group.
INTRODUCTION or the suggested prayer for the Take a few moments to become day (page 7). more prayerful and centered in SCRIPTURE READING order to receive the gift of God’s (Jeremiah 31:31-34, taken from Sunday, word. Consider: March 21, page 172) • Which words, values, or ideas Read the Scripture passage. Pause have become so much a part for a few minutes of silence to be of who I am that they seem attentive to God’s message for tattooed on my heart? you today.
• How many of the words that I REFLECTION wear inside are positive ones? Not so long ago, it seemed only How many are negative? soldiers, sailors, circus perform- ers, and thugs marked their skin Offer a spontaneous prayer, the with tattoos. Such visible marks Collect from the Fifth Sunday of were often interpreted as a warn- Lent (page 172), today’s Collect, ing that the bearer was up to no
20 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( (page 134 Ps 23 monday [ good. Or that folks should be enough pain, I don’t feel inclined wary of such a tough character. to pay for more. Today, more than one in three of While many ink wearers are our fellow citizens has a tattoo. in it for the decorative effect, just And the average number is two as many choose to immortal- per customer. One in 10 of those ize words on their persons. The who are tatted sport more than most frequently removed tattoos 11, and 40 percent of Americans are those bearing the name of a under 35 bear at least one. person: too often, the tattoo out- lasts the relationship. Other folks Full disclosure prefer to write into their flesh The practice of tattooing the ideas they never want to forget. body has been around for at Among the most popular in least 12,000 years. Such marks Christian cultures are John 3:16, signified everything from tribal Philippians 4:13, and Psalm 23. identification to imprisonment to enslavement. The cosmetic use The law within of body art has gone in and out of Jeremiah probably wasn’t think- style in the western world. ing about body art when he made It’s a safe bet many readers of his most astonishing prophecy. this liturgical guide don’t hang In the middle of a book known around tattoo parlors. But more best for its predictions of destruc- than two-thirds of Americans tion and lamentations of despair, who have tattoos make sure Jeremiah announces the arrival they’re placed on areas of the of a new promise from God. body they can keep private if Centuries earlier, Israel’s God had they choose. I don’t suspect I’ll be delivered a law carved on stone getting tatted out in the near or to guide the community along distant future. Since life presents the path of life. Few had heeded livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 21
it. So now, Jeremiah proclaims, • Which Scripture sayings God has decided to write a holy or stories are most deeply law directly onto the hearts of the embedded in your heart? people. • How much time do you give to Holy Moses! Imagine your the media to supply you with own heart replacing those cele- messages daily? How much time brated tablets of stone. Can you do you give the divine word? or I trust that the dictates of our heart will steer us in direction of TAKING THE WORD TO THE WORLD God’s purposes? Yes: if we allow Identify one or more ways in God’s words to be tattooed on which you might be prepared to our hearts as Jeremiah describes. allow God’s word to imprint on Words inked on skin may seem your heart. permanent. But we can ignore them, or forget them if placed • What can I do at home or at conveniently out of sight. We can work to keep a single verse of even have them removed when Scripture handy every day? circumstances change. What’s written on the heart penetrates Decide on some specific, practical deeper and is not so easy to undo. thing to do this coming week. Love Scripture. Let it become CLOSING PRAYER part of you. Close with the suggested prayer EXPLORING TODAY’S READING for the day (page 7) or another Consider the following questions: prayer of your choosing. ]
Alice Camille is an author, religious educator, and retreat leader. She received her master of divinity degree from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, California.
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Wisdom from our friends POPE FRANCIS
Fratelli tutti
Last October, Pope Francis released his third encyclical, “Fratelli tutti” (All Brothers). Below is Part Three of a three-part excerpt that we began presenting in the January 2021 issue of Living with Christ. With the subtitle of “On Fraternity and Social Friendship,” the encyclical calls on all brothers and sisters to recognize and live out our common fraternity. We hope that you will enjoy this excerpt and that you have enjoyed the previous ones.
The ultimate foundation rom our faith experience and from the wisdom accumulated over centuries, but also from lessons learned from our many weaknesses and failures, we, the believers of the different reli- gions, know that our witness to God benefits our societies. FThe effort to seek God with a sincere heart, provided it is never sullied by ideological or self-serving aims, helps us recognize one another as traveling companions, truly brothers and sisters. We are convinced that “when, in the name of an ideology, there is an attempt to remove God from a society, that society ends up adoring idols, and very soon men and women lose their way, their dignity is trampled and their rights violated. You know well how much suffering is caused by the livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 23
denial of freedom of conscience and of religious freedom, and how that wound leaves a humanity which is impoverished, because it lacks hope and ideals to guide it.”263 It should be acknowledged that “among the most important causes of the crises of the modern world are a desensitized human conscience, a distancing from religious values and the prevailing individualism accompanied by materialistic philosophies that deify the human person and introduce worldly and material values in place of supreme and transcendental principles.”264 It is wrong when the only voices to be heard in public debate are those of the powerful and “experts.” Room needs to be made for reflections born of religious traditions that are the repository of centuries of experience and wisdom. For “reli- gious classics can prove meaningful in every age; they have an endur- ing power [to open new horizons, to stimulate thought, to expand the mind and the heart].” Yet often they are viewed with disdain as a result of “the myopia of a certain rationalism.”265 For these reasons, the Church, while respecting the autonomy of political life, does not restrict her mission to the private sphere. On the contrary, “she cannot and must not remain on the sidelines” in the building of a better world, or fail to “reawaken the spiritual energy” that can contribute to the betterment of society.266 It is true that reli- gious ministers must not engage in the party politics that are the proper domain of the laity, but neither can they renounce the political dimension of life itself,267 which involves a constant attention to the common good and a concern for integral human development. The Church “has a public role over and above her charitable and educa- tional activities”. She works for “the advancement of humanity and of universal fraternity.”268
24 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us ( (page 134 Ps 23 monday [
She does not claim to compete with earthly powers, but to offer herself as “a family among families, this is the Church, open to bear- ing witness in today’s world, open to faith hope and love for the Lord and for those whom he loves with a preferential love. A home with open doors. The Church is a home with open doors, because she is a mother.”269 And in imitation of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, “we want to be a Church that serves, that leaves home and goes forth from its places of worship, goes forth from its sacristies, in order to accompany life, to sustain hope, to be the sign of unity…to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation.”270 ]
263. Address to the Leaders of Other Religions and Other Denominations, Tirana, Albania (September 21, 2014). 264. Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, Abu Dhabi (4 February 2019): L’Osservatore Romano, 4-5 February 2019, p. 6. 265. Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (November 24, 2013). 266. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Deus Caritas Est (December 25, 2005). 267. “Man is a political animal,” Aristotle, Politics, 1253a 1-3. 268. Benedict XVI, Encyclical Letter Caritas in Veritate (June 29, 2009). 269. Address to the Catholic Community, Rakovski, Bulgaria (May 6, 2019): L’Osservatore Romano, 8 May 2019, p. 9. 270. Homily, Santiago de Cuba (September 22, 2015).
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livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 25
prayer of saint francis de sales Glorious Saint Joseph, most chaste spouse of the Virgin Mary, we beg through the heart of Jesus, grant us your personal protection. Your power extends to every need and knows how to change the impossible into the possible. Let your fatherly eyes look upon the needs of your children. In the difficulties and the sorrows that come our way we turn to you in confidence placing in your loving care our present cause of concern, no matter how serious or burdensome. Let there be a happy outcome for the glory of God and for the good of your devoted servants. So be it. Amen.
26 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us OUR EUCHARISTIC LITURGY
Introductory Rites 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father ENTRANCE ANTIPHON and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Turn to the appropriate day) And with your spirit. GREETING 3 The Lord be with you. In the name of the Father, And with your spirit. and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. PENITENTIAL ACT Amen. Brethren (brothers and sisters), 1 The grace of our Lord let us acknowledge Jesus Christ, our sins, and the love of God, and so prepare ourselves and the communion to celebrate the sacred of the Holy Spirit mysteries. be with you all. And with your spirit. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 27 After a brief pause for silence, Show us, O Lord, your mercy. one of the following forms is used: And grant us your salvation. 1 I confess to almighty God May almighty God have and to you, my brothers mercy on us, and sisters, forgive us our sins, that I have greatly sinned, and bring us to in my thoughts and in my words, everlasting life. Amen. in what I have done and 3 The celebrant makes the following in what I have failed to do, or other invocations: And, striking their breast, they say: You were sent to heal through my fault, the contrite of heart: through my fault, Lord, have mercy. through my most grievous fault; (OR: Kyrie, eleison.) therefore I ask blessed Mary Lord, have mercy. ever-Virgin, (OR: Kyrie, eleison.) all the Angels and Saints, You came to call sinners: and you, my brothers Christ, have mercy. and sisters, (OR: Christe, eleison.) to pray for me to the Lord Christ, have mercy. our God. (OR: Christe, eleison.) May almighty God have You are seated at the right mercy on us, hand of the Father to forgive us our sins, intercede for us: and bring us to Lord, have mercy. everlasting life. Amen. (OR: Kyrie, eleison.) 2 Have mercy on us, O Lord. Lord, have mercy. For we have sinned against you. (OR: Kyrie, eleison.)
28 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us May almighty God have we adore you, mercy on us, we glorify you, forgive us our sins, we give you thanks and bring us to for your great glory, everlasting life. Amen. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. The following invocations in either English or the ancient Greek are said, Lord Jesus Christ, unless they have just occurred in a Only Begotten Son, formula of the Penitential Act: Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Lord, have mercy. you take away the sins Lord, have mercy. of the world, Christ, have mercy. have mercy on us; Christ, have mercy. you take away the sins Lord, have mercy. of the world, Lord, have mercy. receive our prayer; OR you are seated at the right hand Kyrie, eleison. of the Father: Kyrie, eleison. have mercy on us. Christe, eleison. Christe, eleison. For you alone are the Holy One, Kyrie, eleison. you alone are the Lord, Kyrie, eleison. you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, GLORY TO GOD with the Holy Spirit, Glory to God in the highest, in the glory of God the Father. and on earth peace to people Amen. of good will. COLLECT We praise you, (Turn to the appropriate day) we bless you, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 29 Liturgy of the Word begotten, not made, consubstantial with READINGS the Father; (Turn to the appropriate day) through him all things were made. HOMILY For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, PROFESSION OF FAITH: NICENE CREED At the words that follow, up to and I believe in one God, including and became man, all bow. the Father almighty, and by the Holy Spirit was maker of heaven and earth, incarnate of the Virgin Mary, of all things visible and invisible. and became man. I believe in one Lord For our sake he was crucified Jesus Christ, under Pontius Pilate, the Only Begotten Son of God, he suffered death born of the Father before and was buried, all ages. and rose again on the third day God from God, Light from Light, in accordance with the Scriptures. true God from true God,
30 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us He ascended into heaven Creator of heaven and earth, and is seated at the right hand and in Jesus Christ, of the Father. his only Son, our Lord, He will come again in glory At the words that follow, up to and to judge the living and the dead including the Virgin Mary, all bow. and his kingdom will have no end. who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, I believe in the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, the Lord, the giver of life, suffered under Pontius Pilate, who proceeds from the Father was crucified, died and and the Son, was buried; who with the Father and the Son he descended into hell; is adored and glorified, on the third day he rose again who has spoken through from the dead; the prophets. he ascended into heaven, I believe in one, holy, catholic and is seated at the right hand and apostolic Church. of God the Father almighty; I confess one Baptism for from there he will come to judge the forgiveness of sins the living and the dead. and I look forward to the I believe in the Holy Spirit, resurrection of the dead the holy catholic Church, and the life of the world to come. the communion of saints, Amen. the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, OR and life everlasting. PROFESSION OF FAITH: Amen. APOSTLES’ CREED I believe in God, PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL the Father almighty, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 31 Liturgy of the Eucharist With humble spirit and contrite heart PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS may we be accepted by you, Blessed are you, Lord God O Lord, of all creation, and may our sacrifice for through your goodness in your sight this day we have received be pleasing to you, Lord God. the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work Wash me, O Lord, of human hands, from my iniquity it will become for us and cleanse me from my sin. the bread of life. Pray, brethren Blessed be God for ever. (brothers and sisters), By the mystery of this water that my sacrifice and yours and wine may be acceptable to God, may we come to share the almighty Father. in the divinity of Christ May the Lord accept the who humbled himself to share sacrifice at your hands in our humanity. for the praise and glory Blessed are you, Lord God of his name, of all creation, for our good for through your goodness and the good of all we have received his holy Church. the wine we offer you: PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS fruit of the vine and work (Turn to the appropriate day) of human hands, it will become our EUCHARISTIC PRAYER spiritual drink. The Lord be with you. Blessed be God for ever. And with your spirit.
32 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us Lift up your hearts. and on the works of charity, We lift them up to the Lord. and participating in the mysteries Let us give thanks by which they have been to the Lord our God. reborn, It is right and just. they may be led to the The celebrant chooses from among the fullness of grace possible prefaces corresponding to liturgical that you bestow on your sons seasons and feasts. These prefaces are for and daughters. use with Eucharistic Prayers I, II, and III, And so, with Angels and as Eucharistic Prayer IV has its own Archangels, fixed preface. with Thrones and Dominions,
PREFACE OF LENT I and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, It is truly right and just, we sing the hymn of your glory, our duty and our salvation, as without end we acclaim: always and everywhere to Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God give you thanks, of hosts… (page 40) Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, PREFACE OF LENT II through Christ our Lord. It is truly right and just, For by your gracious gift our duty and our salvation, each year always and everywhere your faithful await to give you thanks, the sacred paschal feasts Lord, holy Father, almighty with the joy of minds and eternal God. made pure, For you have given your so that, more eagerly intent children a sacred time on prayer livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 33 for the renewing and and so help us imitate you purifying of their hearts, in your kindness. that, freed from disordered And so we glorify you with affections, countless Angels, they may so deal with the as with one voice of praise things of this passing world we acclaim: as to hold rather to the things Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God that eternally endure. of hosts… (page 40) And so, with all the Angels and Saints, PREFACE OF LENT IV we praise you, as without end It is truly right and just, we acclaim: our duty and our salvation, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God always and everywhere of hosts… (page 40) to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty PREFACE OF LENT III and eternal God. It is truly right and just, For through bodily fasting our duty and our salvation, you restrain our faults, always and everywhere raise up our minds, to give you thanks, and bestow both virtue and Lord, holy Father, almighty its rewards, and eternal God. through Christ our Lord. For you will that our self- Through him the Angels denial should give you praise your majesty, thanks, Dominions adore and Powers humble our sinful pride, tremble before you. contribute to the feeding of Heaven and the Virtues of the poor, heaven and the blessed
34 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us Seraphim of heaven and the worship together with blessed Seraphim exultation. worship together May our voices, we pray, with exultation. join with theirs May our voices, we pray, in humble praise, join with theirs as we acclaim: in humble praise, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God as we acclaim: of hosts… (page 40) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) COMMON PREFACE II It is truly right and just, COMMON PREFACE IV our duty and our salvation, It is truly right and just, always and everywhere our duty and our salvation, to give you thanks, always and everywhere Lord, holy Father, almighty to give you thanks, and eternal God. Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For in goodness you created man For, although you have and, when he was justly no need of our praise, condemned, yet our thanksgiving in mercy you redeemed him, is itself your gift, through Christ our Lord. since our praises add nothing to your greatness Through him the Angels but profit us for salvation, praise your majesty, through Christ our Lord. Dominions adore and Powers tremble before you. And so, in company with Heaven and the Virtues the choirs of Angels,
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 35 we praise you, and with joy always and everywhere we proclaim: to give you thanks, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Lord, holy Father, almighty of hosts… (page 40) and eternal God. For through the saving COMMON PREFACE V Passion of your Son It is truly right and just, the whole world has our duty and our salvation, received a heart always and everywhere to confess the infinite to give you thanks, power of your majesty, Lord, holy Father, almighty since by the wondrous and eternal God, power of the Cross through Christ our Lord. your judgment on the His Death we celebrate in love, world is now revealed his Resurrection we confess and the authority of with living faith, Christ crucified. and his Coming in glory we And so, Lord, with all the await with unwavering hope. Angels and Saints, And so, with all the Angels we, too, give you thanks, and Saints, as in exultation we acclaim: we praise you, as without end Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God we acclaim: of hosts… (page 40) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) PREFACE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY II It is truly right and just, PREFACE OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD I our duty and our salvation, It is truly right and just, to praise your mighty deeds our duty and our salvation, in the exaltation
36 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us of all the Saints, PREFACE OF APOSTLES I and especially, as we celebrate It is truly right and just, the memory of the our duty and our salvation, Blessed Virgin Mary, always and everywhere to proclaim your kindness to give you thanks, as we echo her thankful Lord, holy Father, hymn of praise. almighty and eternal God. For truly even to earth’s ends For you, eternal Shepherd, you have done great things do not desert your flock, and extended your abundant but through the mercy from age to age: blessed Apostles when you looked watch over it and on the lowliness protect it always, of your handmaid, so that it may be governed you gave us through her by those you have the author of our salvation, appointed shepherds your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. to lead it in the name of your Son. Through him the host of Angels And so, with Angels adores your majesty and Archangels, and rejoices in your presence with Thrones and Dominions, for ever. and with all the hosts May our voices, we pray, and Powers of heaven, join with theirs we sing the hymn in one chorus of exultant of your glory, praise, as we acclaim: as without end we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) of hosts… (page 40)
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 37 PREFACE OF APOSTLES II to give you thanks, It is truly right and just, Lord, holy Father, our duty and our salvation, almighty and eternal God. always and everywhere For the blood of your to give you thanks, blessed Martyr N., Lord, holy Father, poured out like Christ’s almighty and eternal God, to glorify your name, through Christ our Lord. shows forth your For you have built your Church marvelous works, to stand firm on apostolic by which in our weakness foundations, you perfect your power to be a lasting sign and on the feeble of your holiness on earth bestow strength and offer all humanity to bear you witness, your heavenly teaching. through Christ our Lord. Therefore, now and for ages And so, with the unending, Powers of heaven, with all the host of Angels, we worship you constantly we sing to you with on earth, all our hearts, and before your majesty crying out as we acclaim: without end we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) of hosts… (page 40)
PREFACE OF HOLY MARTYRS I PREFACE OF HOLY PASTORS It is truly right and just, It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere always and everywhere
38 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us to give you thanks, For in the Saints who Lord, holy Father, consecrated themselves almighty and eternal God, to Christ through Christ our Lord. for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, For, as on the festival of it is right to celebrate Saint N. you bid your the wonders of Church rejoice, your providence, so, too, you strengthen her by which you call by the example human nature back to its of his holy life, original holiness teach her by his words and bring it to experience of preaching, on this earth and keep her safe in answer the gifts you promise to his prayers. in the new world to come. And so, with the company And so, with all the of Angels and Saints, Angels and Saints, we sing the hymn of your praise, we praise you, as without end as without end we acclaim: we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) of hosts… (page 40)
PREFACE OF HOLY VIRGINS AND RELIGIOUS PREFACE OF SAINTS II It is truly right and just, It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere always and everywhere to give you thanks, to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. almighty and eternal God,
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 39 through Christ our Lord. EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS For in the marvelous EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I (To you, therefore) page 40 confession of your Saints, you make your Church EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (You are indeed Holy, O Lord, fruitful with strength the fount of all holiness) page 45 ever new and offer us sure signs EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III (You are indeed Holy, O Lord, of your love. and all you have created) page 47 And that your saving mysteries may be fulfilled, EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IV (We give you praise) page 50 their great example
lends us courage, EUCHARISTIC PRAYER I their fervent prayers To you, therefore, sustain us in all we do. most merciful Father, And so, Lord, with all the we make humble prayer Angels and Saints, and petition we, too, give you thanks, through Jesus Christ, as in exultation we acclaim: your Son, our Lord: that you accept HOLY, HOLY, HOLY and bless these gifts, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God these offerings, of hosts. these holy and unblemished Heaven and earth are full sacrifices, of your glory. which we offer you firstly Hosanna in the highest. for your holy catholic Blessed is he who comes Church. in the name of the Lord. Be pleased to grant her peace, Hosanna in the highest. to guard, unite and
40 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us govern her In communion with those throughout the whole world, whose memory we venerate, together with your servant especially the glorious N. our Pope ever-Virgin Mary, and N. our Bishop, Mother of our God and Lord, and all those who, Jesus Christ, holding to the truth, and blessed Joseph, hand on the catholic her Spouse, and apostolic faith. your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Remember, Lord, Peter and Paul, Andrew, your servants N. and N. (James, John, and all gathered here, Thomas, James, Philip, whose faith and devotion Bartholomew, Matthew, are known to you. Simon and Jude; For them, we offer you Linus, Cletus, this sacrifice of praise Clement, Sixtus, or they offer it Cornelius, Cyprian, for themselves Lawrence, Chrysogonus, and all who are dear John and Paul, to them: Cosmas and Damian) for the redemption and all your Saints; of their souls, we ask that through their in hope of health and merits and prayers, well-being, in all things we may and paying their homage be defended to you, by your protecting help. the eternal God, (Through Christ our Lord. living and true. Amen.)
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 41 Therefore, Lord, we pray: to you, O God, graciously accept this his almighty Father, oblation of our service, giving you thanks, that of your whole family; he said the blessing, order our days in your peace, broke the bread and command that and gave it to his disciples, we be delivered saying: from eternal damnation take this, all of you, and counted among and eat of it, the flock of those for this is my body, you have chosen. which will be given up (Through Christ our Lord. for you. Amen.) In a similar way, Be pleased, O God, we pray, when supper was ended, to bless, acknowledge, he took this precious chalice and approve this offering in his holy and in every respect; venerable hands, make it spiritual and and once more giving acceptable, you thanks, he said so that it may become for us the blessing the Body and Blood of and gave the chalice your most beloved Son, to his disciples, saying: our Lord Jesus Christ. take this, all of you, On the day before he was and drink from it, to suffer, for this is the chalice he took bread in his holy of my blood, and venerable hands, the blood of the new and with eyes raised to heaven and eternal covenant,
42 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us which will be poured out we, your servants and for you and for many your holy people, for the forgiveness of sins. offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you do this in memory of me. have given us, The mystery of faith. this pure victim, this holy victim, 1 We proclaim your Death, this spotless victim, O Lord, the holy Bread of eternal life and profess your Resurrection and the Chalice of until you come again. everlasting salvation. 2 When we eat this Bread Be pleased to look upon and drink this Cup, these offerings we proclaim your Death, with a serene and kindly O Lord, countenance, until you come again. and to accept them, 3 Save us, Savior of the world, as once you were for by your Cross pleased to accept and Resurrection the gifts of your servant you have set us free. Abel the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, Therefore, O Lord, our father in faith, as we celebrate the memorial and the offering of your of the blessed Passion, high priest Melchizedek, the Resurrection a holy sacrifice, from the dead, a spotless victim. and the glorious Ascension into heaven In humble prayer we ask you, of Christ, your Son, our Lord, almighty God: livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 43 command that these To us, also, your servants, gifts be borne who, though sinners, by the hands of your hope in your abundant holy Angel mercies, to your altar on high graciously grant some share in the sight of your and fellowship with your divine majesty, holy Apostles and Martyrs: so that all of us, who with John the Baptist, through this participation Stephen, at the altar Matthias, Barnabas, receive the most holy Body (Ignatius, Alexander, and Blood of your Son, Marcellinus, Peter, may be filled with Felicity, Perpetua, every grace and Agatha, Lucy, heavenly blessing. Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia) (Through Christ our Lord. and all your Saints; Amen.) admit us, we beseech you, into their company, Remember also, Lord, not weighing our merits, your servants N. and N., but granting us your pardon, who have gone before us through Christ our Lord. with the sign of faith and rest in the sleep of peace. Through whom Grant them, O Lord, you continue to make all we pray, these good things, O Lord; and all who sleep in Christ, you sanctify them, a place of refreshment, fill them with life, light and peace. bless them, and bestow them (Through Christ our Lord. upon us. Amen.)
44 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us Through him, and with him, death and manifest and in him, the resurrection. O God, almighty Father, And so, with the Angels in the unity of the Holy Spirit, and all the Saints all glory and honor is yours, we declare your glory, for ever and ever. Amen. as with one voice we acclaim: (Turn to the Lord’s Prayer, page 54) Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… (page 40) EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II Preface You are indeed Holy, O Lord, It is truly right and just, the fount of all holiness. our duty and our salvation, Make holy, therefore, always and everywhere these gifts, we pray, to give you thanks, by sending down your Spirit Father most holy, upon them like the dewfall, through your beloved Son, so that they may Jesus Christ, become for us your Word through whom the Body and Blood you made all things, of our Lord Jesus Christ. whom you sent as our Savior and Redeemer, At the time he was betrayed incarnate by the Holy Spirit and entered willingly into and born of the Virgin. his Passion, he took bread and, Fulfilling your will and giving thanks, broke it, gaining for you and gave it to his disciples, a holy people, saying: he stretched out his hands as he endured his Passion, take this, all of you, so as to break the bonds of and eat of it,
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 45 for this is my body, the memorial of his Death which will be given up and Resurrection, for you. we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the In a similar way, when supper Chalice of salvation, was ended, giving thanks that you have he took the chalice held us worthy and, once more giving thanks, to be in your presence he gave it to his disciples, and minister to you. saying: Humbly we pray take this, all of you, that, partaking of the and drink from it, Body and Blood of Christ, for this is the chalice we may be gathered into one of my blood, by the Holy Spirit. the blood of the new and eternal covenant, Remember, Lord, which will be poured out your Church, for you and for many spread throughout for the forgiveness of sins. the world, and bring her to the do this in memory of me. fullness of charity, The mystery of faith. together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop We proclaim your Death, and all the clergy. O Lord, and profess your Resurrection Remember also our brothers until you come again. and sisters (For other acclamations, see page 43) who have fallen asleep in the hope of the Therefore, as we celebrate resurrection,
46 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us and all who have died EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III in your mercy: You are indeed Holy, O Lord, welcome them into the and all you have created light of your face. rightly gives you praise, Have mercy on us all, for through your Son we pray, our Lord Jesus Christ, that with the Blessed Virgin by the power and working Mary, Mother of God, of the Holy Spirit, with blessed Joseph, you give life to all things her Spouse, and make them holy, with the blessed Apostles, and you never cease to gather and all the Saints a people to yourself, who have pleased you so that from the rising of the throughout the ages, sun to its setting we may merit to be coheirs a pure sacrifice may be to eternal life, offered to your name. and may praise and Therefore, O Lord, glorify you we humbly implore you: through your Son, by the same Spirit graciously Jesus Christ. make holy Through him, and with him, these gifts we have brought and in him, to you for consecration, O God, almighty Father, that they may become the in the unity of the Body and Blood Holy Spirit, of your Son our Lord all glory and honor is yours, Jesus Christ, for ever and ever. Amen. at whose command (Turn to the Lord’s Prayer, page 54) we celebrate these mysteries.
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 47 For on the night he do this in memory of me. was betrayed The mystery of faith. he himself took bread, and, giving you thanks, When we eat this Bread he said the blessing, and drink this Cup, broke the bread and gave it we proclaim your Death, O Lord, to his disciples, saying: until you come again. (For other acclamations, see page 43) take this, all of you, and eat of it, Therefore, O Lord, as we for this is my body, celebrate the memorial which will be given up of the saving Passion of for you. your Son, his wondrous Resurrection In a similar way, when supper and Ascension into heaven, was ended, and as we look forward he took the chalice, to his second coming, and, giving you thanks, we offer you in thanksgiving he said the blessing, this holy and living sacrifice. and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: Look, we pray, upon the oblation of your Church take this, all of you, and, recognizing the and drink from it, sacrificial Victim for this is the chalice by whose death of my blood, you willed to reconcile the blood of the new us to yourself, and eternal covenant, grant that we, which will be poured out who are nourished for you and for many by the Body and Blood for the forgiveness of sins.
48 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us of your Son Be pleased to confirm and filled with his in faith and charity Holy Spirit, your pilgrim Church may become one body, on earth, one spirit in Christ. with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop, May he make of us the Order of Bishops, an eternal offering to you, all the clergy, so that we may obtain and the entire people you an inheritance with have gained for your own. your elect, especially with the most Listen graciously to the Blessed Virgin Mary, prayers of this family, Mother of God, whom you have summoned with blessed Joseph, before you: her Spouse, in your compassion, with your blessed Apostles O merciful Father, and glorious Martyrs gather to yourself (with Saint N.) all your children and with all the Saints, scattered throughout on whose constant the world. intercession in To our departed brothers your presence and sisters we rely for unfailing help. and to all who were pleasing to you May this Sacrifice of at their passing from our reconciliation, this life, we pray, O Lord, give kind admittance advance the peace and to your kingdom. salvation of all the world. There we hope to enjoy
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 49 for ever the fullness so that you might fill your of your glory creatures with blessings through Christ our Lord, and bring joy to many through whom you of them by the glory bestow on the world of your light. all that is good. And so, in your presence are Through him, and with him, countless hosts of Angels, and in him, who serve you day and night O God, almighty Father, and, gazing upon the glory in the unity of the Holy Spirit, of your face, all glory and honor is yours, glorify you without ceasing. for ever and ever. Amen. With them we, too, confess (Turn to the Lord’s Prayer, page 54) your name in exultation,
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IV giving voice to every creature under heaven, Preface as we acclaim: It is truly right to give Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God you thanks, of hosts… (page 40) truly just to give you glory, Father most holy, We give you praise, for you are the one God Father most holy, living and true, for you are great existing before all ages and and you have fashioned all abiding for all eternity, your works dwelling in unapproachable in wisdom and in love. light; You formed man yet you, who alone are good, in your own image the source of life, and entrusted the whole have made all that is, world to his care,
50 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us so that in serving you alone, the good news of salvation, the Creator, to prisoners, freedom, he might have dominion and to the sorrowful over all creatures. of heart, joy. And when through To accomplish your plan, disobedience he had he gave himself up to death, lost your friendship, and, rising from the dead, you did not abandon him he destroyed death to the domain of death. and restored life. For you came in mercy And that we might live to the aid of all, no longer for ourselves so that those who seek but for him who died might find you. and rose again for us, Time and again you offered he sent the Holy Spirit them covenants from you, Father, and through the prophets as the first fruits for those taught them to look forward who believe, to salvation. so that, bringing to And you so loved the world, perfection his work Father most holy, in the world, that in the fullness of time he might sanctify creation you sent your Only Begotten to the full. Son to be our Savior. Therefore, O Lord, we pray: Made incarnate by the may this same Holy Spirit Holy Spirit graciously sanctify and born of the Virgin Mary, these offerings, he shared our human nature that they may become in all things but sin. the Body and Blood To the poor he proclaimed
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 51 of our Lord Jesus Christ take this, all of you, for the celebration and drink from it, of this great mystery, for this is the chalice which he himself left us of my blood, as an eternal covenant. the blood of the new and eternal covenant, For when the hour had come which will be poured out for him to be glorified for you and for many by you, Father most holy, for the forgiveness of sins. having loved his own who were in the world, do this in memory of me. he loved them to the end: The mystery of faith. and while they were at supper, Save us, Savior of the world, he took bread, blessed for by your Cross and and broke it, Resurrection and gave it to his disciples, you have set us free. saying: (For other acclamations, see page 43) take this, all of you, Therefore, O Lord, and eat of it, as we now celebrate for this is my body, the memorial of which will be given up our redemption, for you. we remember Christ’s Death and his descent to the realm In a similar way, of the dead, taking the chalice filled we proclaim his Resurrection with the fruit of the vine, and his Ascension he gave thanks, to your right hand, and gave the chalice and, as we await his coming to his disciples, saying:
52 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us in glory, Therefore, Lord, we offer you his Body remember now and Blood, all for whom we offer the sacrifice acceptable to you this sacrifice: which brings salvation especially your servant to the whole world. N. our Pope, N. our Bishop, and the Look, O Lord, whole Order of Bishops, upon the Sacrifice all the clergy, which you yourself have those who take part provided for your Church, in this offering, and grant in your loving those gathered here kindness before you, to all who partake of this one your entire people, Bread and one Chalice and all who seek you that, gathered into one body with a sincere heart. by the Holy Spirit, they may truly become Remember also a living sacrifice in Christ those who have died in the to the praise of your glory. peace of your Christ
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 53 and all the dead, Communion Rite whose faith you alone LORD’S PRAYER have known. At the Savior’s command and To all of us, your children, formed by divine teaching, grant, O merciful Father, we dare to say: that we may enter into Our Father, who art in heaven, a heavenly inheritance hallowed be thy name; with the Blessed Virgin Mary, thy kingdom come, Mother of God, thy will be done with blessed Joseph, on earth as it is in heaven. her Spouse, Give us this day our daily bread, and with your Apostles and and forgive us our trespasses, Saints in your kingdom. as we forgive those There, with the whole who trespass against us; of creation, and lead us not into temptation, freed from the corruption but deliver us from evil. of sin and death, may we glorify you Deliver us, Lord, we pray, through Christ our Lord, from every evil, through whom you graciously grant peace bestow on the world in our days, all that is good. that, by the help of your mercy, Through him, and with him, we may be always free and in him, from sin O God, almighty Father, and safe from all distress, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, as we await the blessed hope all glory and honor is yours, and the coming of our Savior, for ever and ever. Amen. Jesus Christ.
54 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us For the kingdom, Lamb of God, you take away the power and the glory are yours the sins of the world, now and for ever. have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away SIGN OF PEACE the sins of the world, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. who said to your Apostles: Lamb of God, you take away Peace I leave you, my peace the sins of the world, I give you, grant us peace. look not on our sins, Lord Jesus Christ, but on the faith Son of the living God, of your Church, who, by the will of the Father and and graciously grant her the work of the Holy Spirit, peace and unity through your Death gave life in accordance with your will. to the world, Who live and reign for ever free me by this, your most holy and ever. Amen. Body and Blood, The peace of the Lord from all my sins and from be with you always. every evil; And with your spirit. keep me always faithful Let us offer each other the to your commandments, sign of peace. and never let me be parted from you. FRACTION OF THE BREAD May this mingling of the OR Body and Blood May the receiving of your of our Lord Jesus Christ Body and Blood, bring eternal life to us who Lord Jesus Christ, receive it. not bring me to judgment livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 55 and condemnation, Concluding Rite but through your loving mercy BLESSING be for me protection in mind On certain days or occasions, and body this blessing is preceded by a solemn and a healing remedy. blessing or a prayer over the people.
COMMUNION The Lord be with you. Behold the Lamb of God, And with your spirit. behold him who takes away the sins of the world. May almighty God Blessed are those called bless you, to the supper of the Lamb. the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under DISMISSAL my roof, 1 Go forth, the Mass but only say the word is ended. and my soul shall be healed. Thanks be to God. May the Body (Blood) of Christ 2 Go and announce keep me safe for eternal life. the Gospel of the Lord. Thanks be to God. COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Turn to the appropriate day) 3 Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Thanks be to God. (Turn to the appropriate day) 4 Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
56 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us MONDAY READING (Daniel 9:4b-10) MARCH 1 “Lord, great and awesome LENTEN WEEKDAY God, you who keep your mer- ciful covenant toward those ENTRANCE ANTIPHON who love you and observe (Cf. Psalm 26 [25]:11-12) your commandments! We Redeem me, O Lord, and have sinned, been wicked and have mercy on me. My foot done evil; we have rebelled stands on level ground; and departed from your com- I will bless the Lord in the mandments and your laws. We assembly. have not obeyed your servants the prophets, who spoke in COLLECT your name to our kings, our O God, who have taught us princes, our fathers, and all to chasten our bodies the people of the land. Justice, for the healing of our souls, O Lord, is on your side; we are enable us, we pray, shamefaced even to this day: to abstain from all sins, we, the men of Judah, the res- and strengthen our hearts idents of Jerusalem, and all to carry out your loving Israel, near and far, in all the commands. countries to which you have Through our Lord Jesus scattered them because of Christ, your Son, their treachery toward you. who lives and reigns with O Lord, we are shamefaced, you in the unity of the like our kings, our princes, and Holy Spirit, our fathers, for having sinned one God, for ever and ever. against you. But yours, O Lord, Amen. our God, are compassion and
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 57 Lenten weekday forgiveness! Yet we rebelled Then we, your people and against you and paid no heed the sheep of your pasture, to your command, O Lord, will give thanks to our God, to live by the law you you forever; gave us through your servants through all generations the prophets.” we will declare your praise. r∙ RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 79:8, 9, 11 and 13) VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL r∙ Lord, do not deal with us (See John 6:63c, 68c) according to our sins. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Remember not against us King of endless glory! Your the iniquities of the past; words, Lord, are Spirit and life; may your compassion you have the words of everlast- quickly come to us, ing life. Praise to you, Lord Jesus for we are brought Christ, King of endless glory! very low. r∙ Help us, O God our savior, GOSPEL (Luke 6:36-38) because of the glory esus said to his disciples: of your name; “Be merciful, just as your Deliver us and pardon JFather is merciful. our sins “Stop judging and you will for your name’s sake. r∙ not be judged. Stop condemn- Let the prisoners’ sighing ing and you will not be con- come before you; demned. Forgive and you will with your great power be forgiven. Give and gifts will free those doomed be given to you; a good mea- to death. sure, packed together, shaken
58 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us march 1 ] Monday down, and overflowing, will heavenly mysteries. be poured into your lap. For Through Christ our Lord. the measure with which you Amen. measure will in return be mea- sured out to you.” COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Luke 6:36) Be merciful, as your Father is PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS merciful, says the Lord. Accept in your goodness these our prayers, O Lord, PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION and set free from worldly May this Communion, attractions O Lord, those you allow to serve the cleanse us of wrongdoing
A less-than-welcome realization has recently come to me: It can actually be a blessing to have really annoying people in my life. What is dawning on me is related to today’s gospel passage with its trying admonitions: “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemn- ing and you will not be condemned.” Seriously annoying people are very hard for me to refrain from judging and condemning. Forgiving them is totally uphill. In order to do it, I have to open myself wide and ask God’s love to flow through me. Each time they do something that drives me crazy, I have to open wider. I can be merciful only with the heavenly Father’s mercy. My own mercy has worn out long before. A huge surprise is that sometimes, with God's mercy, I can even see something endearing in them. PATRICIA LIVINGSTON
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 59 and make us heirs TUESDAY to the joy of heaven. MARCH 2 Through Christ our Lord. LENTEN WEEKDAY Amen. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) (Cf. Psalm 13 [12]:4-5) Confirm the hearts of your Give light to my eyes lest I faithful, O Lord, we pray, fall asleep in death, lest my and strengthen them by the enemy say: I have overcome power of your grace, him. that they may be constant in making supplication COLLECT to you Guard your Church, we pray, and sincere in love for one O Lord, in your unceasing another. mercy, Through Christ our Lord. and, since without you mortal Amen. humanity is sure to fall, may we be kept by your constant helps from all harm RESPONDING TO THE WORD and directed to all that brings Jesus reminds us that we will be salvation. gifted and forgiven as we give and Through our Lord Jesus forgive. Christ, your Son, $ What gift or act of forgiveness who lives and reigns with can I offer today? you in the unity of the Jesus, help me… Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
60 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 2 ] Tuesday
READING (Isaiah 1:10, 16-20) things of the land; Hear the word of the Lord, But if you refuse and resist, princes of Sodom! the sword shall consume Listen to the instruction of you: our God, for the mouth of the Lord people of Gomorrah! has spoken!
Wash yourselves clean! RESPONSORIAL PSALM Put away your misdeeds (Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, and 23) from before my eyes; r∙ To the upright I will show the cease doing evil; saving power of God. learn to do good. “Not for your sacrifices Make justice your aim: do I rebuke you, redress the wronged, for your burnt offerings hear the orphan’s plea, are before me always. defend the widow. I take from your house Come now, let us set things no bullock, right, no goats out of your fold.” r∙ says the Lord: “Why do you recite my Though your sins be like statutes, scarlet, and profess my covenant they may become white with your mouth, as snow; Though you hate discipline Though they be crimson red, and cast my words they may become white behind you?” r∙ as wool. “When you do these things, If you are willing, and obey, shall I be deaf to it? you shall eat the good Or do you think that I am
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 61 Lenten weekday
like yourself? things whatsoever they tell I will correct you by drawing you, but do not follow their them up before your eyes. example. For they preach but He that offers praise as a they do not practice. They sacrifice glorifies me; tie up heavy burdens hard to and to him that goes the carry and lay them on peo- right way I will show the ple’s shoulders, but they will salvation of God.” not lift a finger to move them. r∙ To the upright I will show the All their works are performed saving power of God. to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL their tassels. They love places (Ezekiel 18:31) of honor at banquets, seats of Praise and honor to you, Lord Jesus honor in synagogues, greet- Christ! Cast away from you all ings in marketplaces, and the the crimes you have commit- salutation ‘Rabbi.’ As for you, ted, says the Lord, and make do not be called ‘Rabbi.’ You for yourselves a new heart and have but one teacher, and you a new spirit. Praise and honor to are all brothers. Call no one you, Lord Jesus Christ! on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do GOSPEL (Matthew 23:1-12) not be called ‘Master’; you have esus spoke to the crowds but one master, the Christ. The and to his disciples, say- greatest among you must be Jing, “The scribes and the your servant. Whoever exalts Pharisees have taken their himself will be humbled; but seat on the chair of Moses. whoever humbles himself will Therefore, do and observe all be exalted.”
62 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 2 ] Tuesday
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS COMMUNION ANTIPHON Be pleased to work your (Psalm 9:2-3) sanctification within us I will recount all your by means of these mysteries, wonders. I will rejoice in you O Lord, and be glad, and sing psalms and by it may we be cleansed to your name, O Most High. of earthly faults and led to the gifts of heaven. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Through Christ our Lord. May the refreshment of this Amen. sacred table, O Lord, we pray, bring us an increase
We acknowledge ourselves to be nothing, that we are misery itself, the refuse of the world—but we would be most unhappy if anyone took us at our word or told others this about us. We pretend to want to be the least and be seated at the foot of the table, but it is with a view to moving more easily to the other end. True humility never makes a show of itself….It not only wants to conceal the other virtues, but most of all it wants to conceal itself…. My advice then is not to talk about humility, but if you do, speak with a sincere interior feeling in keeping with what we say. Let us not lower our eyes except when we humble our hearts. Let us not make a show of wanting to be the lowest unless we desire with all our hearts to be such. There is really no exception to this rule. ST. FRANCIS DE SALES (Introduction to the Devout Life)
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 63 in devoutness of life WEDNESDAY and the constant help of your MARCH 3 work of conciliation. LENTEN WEEKDAY Through Christ our Lord. Amen. [ St. Katharine Drexel, virgin (1858-1955) ] When her wealthy PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) father and stepmother died, Graciously hear the cries of Katharine inherited a substantial your faithful, O Lord, fortune. She joined the Sisters and relieve the weariness of of Mercy with the intention of their souls, founding her own order, the that, having received your Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, forgiveness, to work among African and Native they may ever rejoice in your Americans. She used her inher- blessing. itance to establish schools and Though Christ our Lord. missions throughout the South Amen. and on reservations. May we imi- tate her devotion to the Eucharist as the source of unity and justice RESPONDING TO THE WORD among all races and peoples. ] Jesus challenges us to become great through our service. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON $ What can I do to better serve (Cf. Psalm 38 [37]:22-23) others? Forsake me not, O Lord! Jesus, help me serve today… My God, be not far from me! Make haste and come to my help, O Lord, my strong salvation!
64 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 3 ] Wednesday
COLLECT Heed me, O Lord, Keep your family, O Lord, and listen to what schooled always in good my adversaries say. works, Must good be repaid with evil and so comfort them with that they should dig a pit your protection here to take my life? as to lead them graciously to Remember that I stood gifts on high. before you Through our Lord Jesus to speak in their behalf, Christ, your Son, to turn away your wrath who lives and reigns with from them. you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, RESPONSORIAL PSALM one God, for ever and ever. (Psalm 31:5-6, 14, 15-16) Amen. r∙ Save me, O Lord, in your kindness. READING (Jeremiah 18:18-20) You will free me from the The people of Judah and the snare they set for me, citizens of Jerusalem said, for you are my refuge. “Come, let us contrive a plot Into your hands I commend against Jeremiah. It will not my spirit; mean the loss of instruction you will redeem me, from the priests, nor of coun- O Lord, O faithful God. sel from the wise, nor of mes- r∙ sages from the prophets. And I hear the whispers of the so, let us destroy him by his crowd, that frighten me own tongue; let us carefully from every side, note his every word.” as they consult together livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 65 Lenten weekday
against me, plotting are going up to Jerusalem, and to take my life. the Son of Man will be handed r∙ Save me, O Lord, in your over to the chief priests and kindness. the scribes, and they will con- But my trust is in you, O Lord; demn him to death, and hand I say, “You are my God.” him over to the Gentiles to In your hands is my destiny; be mocked and scourged and rescue me crucified, and he will be raised from the clutches of on the third day.” my enemies and Then the mother of the my persecutors. r∙ sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons and did VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL him homage, wishing to ask (John 8:12) him for something. He said to Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, her, “What do you wish?” She King of endless glory! I am the answered him, “Command light of the world, says the that these two sons of mine Lord; whoever follows me will sit, one at your right and the have the light of life. Praise to other at your left, in your king- you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of dom.” Jesus said in reply, “You endless glory! do not know what you are ask- ing. Can you drink the chal- GOSPEL (Matthew 20:17-28) ice that I am going to drink?” s Jesus was going up to They said to him, “We can.” He Jerusalem, he took the replied, “My chalice you will ATwelve disciples aside indeed drink, but to sit at my by themselves, and said to right and at my left, this is not them on the way, “Behold, we mine to give but is for those
66 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 3 ] Wednesday for whom it has been prepared to be great among you shall be by my Father.” When the ten your servant; whoever wishes heard this, they became indig- to be first among you shall nant at the two brothers. But be your slave. Just so, the Son Jesus summoned them and of Man did not come to be said, “You know that the rul- served but to serve and to give ers of the Gentiles lord it over his life as a ransom for many.” them, and the great ones make their authority over them felt. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS But it shall not be so among Look with favor, Lord, you. Rather, whoever wishes on the sacrificial gifts we
“Into your hands I commend my spirit” (Psalm 31:6). » In Luke’s passion account, we hear these words from Jesus just before he dies. For years I have used a form of those words at the center of my prayer, commending into God’s hands whatever is in my heart. I never realized Jesus’ words were from Psalm 31:6. One Holy Week, someone I love greatly was on the edge of death. I had just enough time between hospital visits to go to a service. The psalm printed in the program was Psalm 31. We recited together: “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” The next words of the psalm practically shone on the page for me: “You will redeem me, O Lord, O faithful God.” I felt a huge surge of joyful hope. Jesus knew this psalm, he knew the rest of this verse. His prayer was more than resigned surrender; it was absolute trust that redemption/new life was just ahead. PATRICIA LIVINGSTON
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 67 Lenten weekday
offer you, PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) and by this holy exchange Bestow upon your servants, undo the bonds of our sins. Lord, Through Christ our Lord. abundance of grace and Amen. protection; grant health of mind and COMMUNION ANTIPHON body; (Matthew 20:28) grant fullness of fraternal The Son of Man did not charity, come to be served but to and make them always serve, and to give his life as devoted to you. a ransom for many. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Grant, we pray, O Lord our God, RESPONDING TO THE WORD that what you have given Jesus declares that our greatness us as the pledge of lies in serving, not in rewards. immortality $ How am I being called to serve may work for our eternal others today? salvation. Jesus, today I will… Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
68 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us THURSDAY direct the hearts of your MARCH 4 servants to yourself, LENTEN WEEKDAY that, caught up in the fire of your Spirit, [ St. Casimir (1458-1484) ] we may be found steadfast The prince of Poland refused in faith to fight against other Christian and effective in works. nations or to marry. He instead Through our Lord Jesus chose a life of celibacy and Christ, your Son, asceticism. He was involved who lives and reigns with in government affairs and was you in the unity of the renowned for his sense of justice Holy Spirit, and his care for the poor. He died one God, for ever and ever. of tuberculosis and was buried in Amen. Lithuania. Like him, may we find ways to live out our Christian con- READING (Jeremiah 17:5-10) victions in everyday life. ] Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts ENTRANCE ANTIPHON in human beings, (Cf. Psalm 139 [138]:23-24) who seeks his strength Test me, O God, and know in flesh, my thoughts. See that my whose heart turns away path is not wicked, and lead from the Lord. me in the way everlasting. He is like a barren bush in the desert COLLECT that enjoys no change O God, who delight in of season, innocence and restore it, But stands in a lava waste, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 69 LENTEN weekday
a salt and empty earth. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Blessed is the man who trusts (Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6) in the Lord, r∙ Blessed are they who hope whose hope is the Lord. in the Lord. He is like a tree planted Blessed the man who beside the waters follows not that stretches out its roots the counsel of the wicked to the stream: Nor walks in the way It fears not the heat when of sinners, it comes, nor sits in the company its leaves stay green; of the insolent, In the year of drought But delights in the law it shows no distress, of the Lord but still bears fruit. and meditates on his law More tortuous than all else is day and night. r∙ the human heart, He is like a tree beyond remedy; who can planted near running water, understand it? That yields its fruit in due I, the Lord, alone probe season, the mind and whose leaves never and test the heart, fade. To reward everyone Whatever he does, prospers. according to his ways, r∙ according to the merit Not so, the wicked, not so; of his deeds. they are like chaff which the wind drives away. For the Lord watches over the way of the just,
70 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 4 ] Thursday
but the way of the wicked away by angels to the bosom vanishes. r∙ of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL from the netherworld, where (See Luke 8:15) he was in torment, he raised Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, his eyes and saw Abraham far King of endless glory! Blessed are off and Lazarus at his side. they who have kept the word And he cried out, ‘Father with a generous heart and Abraham, have pity on me. yield a harvest through perse- Send Lazarus to dip the tip of verance. Praise to you, Lord Jesus his finger in water and cool Christ, King of endless glory! my tongue, for I am suffer- ing torment in these flames.’ GOSPEL (Luke 16:19-31) Abraham replied, ‘My child, esus said to the Pharisees: remember that you received “There was a rich man what was good during your Jwho dressed in purple lifetime while Lazarus like- garments and fine linen and wise received what was bad; dined sumptuously each day. but now he is comforted here, And lying at his door was a whereas you are tormented. poor man named Lazarus, Moreover, between us and you covered with sores, who a great chasm is established to would gladly have eaten his prevent anyone from crossing fill of the scraps that fell from who might wish to go from the rich man’s table. Dogs our side to yours or from your even used to come and lick side to ours.’ He said, ‘Then I his sores. When the poor beg you, father, send him to man died, he was carried my father’s house, for I have
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 71 LENTEN weekday five brothers, so that he may the prophets, neither will warn them, lest they too come they be persuaded if someone to this place of torment.’ But should rise from the dead.’ ” Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS them listen to them.’ He said, By this present sacrifice, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but we pray, O Lord, if someone from the dead sanctify our observance, goes to them, they will repent.’ that what Lenten discipline Then Abraham said, ‘If they outwardly declares will not listen to Moses and it may inwardly bring about.
“He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream” (Jeremiah 17:8). » We all know a person caring for a loved one seriously ill with cancer or another life-threatening health problem, a parent with a child who has Down Syndrome, someone sitting at the bedside of a spouse in the late stages of Alzheimer’s disease. How do they keep going? What gets us through times when we feel as if we are going through hell on earth? The source of our strength is God. Through faith, we are rooted in God. Like the tree planted beside the water, our roots draw sustenance from God during the arid, difficult times in our lives. God reaches out and holds us, giving us not only inner strength but also support delivered through other people. Our faith in God enables us to keep loving and giving, even as we struggle and suffer. God is our hope. God is our strength. CHARLOTTE A. RANCILIO
72 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 4 ] Thursday
Through Christ our Lord. Amen. RESPONDING TO THE WORD COMMUNION ANTIPHON The rich man could have changed (Psalm 119 [118]:1) his life had he noticed and helped Blessed are those whose way Lazarus. is blameless, who walk in the $ Who, like Lazarus, can I notice law of the Lord. and help today? Jesus, today I will… PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION May this sacrifice, O God, remain active in its effects and work ever more strongly We do not cease within us. Through Christ our Lord. praying so long as we Amen. continue to do good.
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) The prayer of Abide with your servants, the heart and of O Lord, who implore the help good deeds has of your grace, more value than that they may receive from the prayer of you the support and guidance the lips.
of your protection. ST. AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO Through Christ our Lord. Amen. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 73 FRIDAY READING MARCH 5 (Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a) LENTEN WEEKDAY Israel loved Joseph best of all his sons, for he was the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON child of his old age; and he (Cf. Psalm 31 [30]:2, 5) had made him a long tunic. In you, O Lord, I put my When his brothers saw that trust, let me never be put their father loved him best of to shame; release me from all his sons, they hated him the snare they have hidden so much that they would not for me, for you indeed are even greet him. my refuge. One day, when his broth- ers had gone to pasture their COLLECT father’s flocks at Shechem, Grant, we pray, almighty God, Israel said to Joseph, “Your that, purifying us by the brothers, you know, are tend- sacred practice of penance, ing our flocks at Shechem. Get you may lead us in sincerity ready; I will send you to them.” of heart So Joseph went after his to attain the holy things brothers and caught up with to come. them in Dothan. They noticed Through our Lord Jesus him from a distance, and Christ, your Son, before he came up to them, who lives and reigns with they plotted to kill him. They you in the unity of the said to one another: “Here Holy Spirit, comes that master dreamer! one God, for ever and ever. Come on, let us kill him and Amen. throw him into one of the cis-
74 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 5 ] Friday terns here; we could say that a ing our brother and conceal- wild beast devoured him. We ing his blood? Rather, let us shall then see what comes of sell him to these Ishmaelites, his dreams.” instead of doing away with When Reuben heard this, him ourselves. After all, he is he tried to save him from their our brother, our own flesh.” hands, saying, “We must not His brothers agreed. They sold take his life. Instead of shed- Joseph to the Ishmaelites for ding blood,” he continued, twenty pieces of silver. “just throw him into that cis- tern there in the desert; but RESPONSORIAL PSALM do not kill him outright.” His (Psalm 105:16-17, 18-19, 20-21) purpose was to rescue him r∙ Remember the marvels the from their hands and return Lord has done. him to his father. So when When the Lord called down Joseph came up to them, they a famine on the land stripped him of the long tunic and ruined the crop he had on; then they took him that sustained them, and threw him into the cistern, He sent a man before them, which was empty and dry. Joseph, sold as a slave. r∙ They then sat down to their They had weighed him meal. Looking up, they saw a down with fetters, caravan of Ishmaelites coming and he was bound from Gilead, their camels laden with chains, with gum, balm and resin Till his prediction to be taken down to Egypt. came to pass Judah said to his brothers: and the word of the Lord “What is to be gained by kill- proved him true. r∙ livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 75 Lenten weekday
The king sent and released press in it, and built a tower. him, Then he leased it to tenants the ruler of the peoples and went on a journey. When set him free. vintage time drew near, he He made him lord of his house sent his servants to the tenants and ruler of all his to obtain his produce. But the possessions. tenants seized the servants r∙ Remember the marvels the and one they beat, another Lord has done. they killed, and a third they stoned. Again he sent other VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL servants, more numerous than (John 3:16) the first ones, but they treated Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, them in the same way. Finally, King of endless glory! God so he sent his son to them, think- loved the world that he gave ing, ‘They will respect my son.’ his only-begotten Son; so that But when the tenants saw the everyone who believes in him son, they said to one another, might have eternal life. Praise ‘This is the heir. Come, let us to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of kill him and acquire his inher- endless glory! itance.’ They seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and GOSPEL (Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46) killed him. What will the esus said to the chief priests owner of the vineyard do to and the elders of the peo- those tenants when he comes?” Jple: “Hear another para- They answered him, “He will ble. There was a landowner put those wretched men to a who planted a vineyard, put wretched death and lease his a hedge around it, dug a wine vineyard to other tenants who
76 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 5 ] Friday will give him the produce at in our eyes? the proper times.” Jesus said to Therefore, I say to you, the them, “Did you never read in Kingdom of God will be taken the Scriptures: away from you and given to a The stone that the people that will produce its builders rejected fruit.” When the chief priests has become the and the Pharisees heard his cornerstone; parables, they knew that he by the Lord has this was speaking about them. And been done, although they were attempt- and it is wonderful ing to arrest him, they feared
“The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Matthew 21:42). » The parable in today’s gospel of the wealthy landowner who sends his servants out to collect the produce from his tenant farmers is a cautionary tale about what can go wrong when we try to build things on our own—even the kingdom of God. At the same time, it is a great consolation to know that the Lord is not stymied by our rejections. One might think this is just another example of Jesus facing off against the scribes and Pharisees, the religious authorities of his day. But there is something there for all of us, regardless of our canonical station in life. We, too, can get it wrong, can reject what should be embraced, can drive off messengers whose messages we don’t like. Our hope, finally, is only in the Lord, who makes a firm foundation for our lives, even out of something we initially rejected. MARK NEILSEN
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 77 Lenten weekday the crowds, for they regarded Through Christ our Lord. him as a prophet. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) May your merciful grace Grant your people, O Lord, prepare your servants, we pray, O God, health of mind and body, for the worthy celebration of that by constancy in good these mysteries, deeds and lead them to it they may always merit the by a devout way of life. defense of your protection. Through Christ our Lord. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (1 John 4:10) RESPONDING TO THE WORD God loved us, and sent his Both Joseph and Jesus were Son as expiation for our sins. rejected by those close to them. $ Whom might I tend to neglect PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION or reject at home or work? Having received this pledge Jesus, help me… of eternal salvation, we pray, O Lord, that we may set our course so well as to attain the redemption you promise.
78 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us SATURDAY one God, for ever and ever. MARCH 6 Amen. LENTEN WEEKDAY READING (Micah 7:14-15, 18-20) ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Shepherd your people (Psalm 145 [144]:8-9) with your staff, The Lord is kind and full the flock of your of compassion, slow to inheritance, anger, abounding in mercy. That dwells apart How good is the Lord to in a woodland, all, compassionate to all his in the midst of Carmel. creatures. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, COLLECT as in the days of old; O God, who grant us by As in the days when you came glorious healing remedies from the land of Egypt, while still on earth show us wonderful signs. to be partakers of the things of heaven, Who is there like you, the guide us, we pray, through God who removes guilt this present life and pardons sin for the and bring us to that light in remnant of his which you dwell. inheritance; Through our Lord Jesus Who does not persist Christ, your Son, in anger forever, who lives and reigns with but delights rather you in the unity of the in clemency, Holy Spirit, And will again have
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compassion on us, compassion. r∙ treading underfoot He will not always chide, our guilt? nor does he keep You will cast into the depths his wrath forever. of the sea all our sins; Not according to our sins You will show faithfulness does he deal with us, to Jacob, nor does he requite us and grace to Abraham, according to As you have sworn to our crimes. r∙ our fathers For as the heavens are high from days of old. above the earth, so surpassing is his RESPONSORIAL PSALM kindness toward (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12) those who fear him. r∙ The Lord is kind and merciful. As far as the east is Bless the Lord, O my soul; from the west, and all my being, so far has he put our bless his holy name. transgressions from us. r∙ Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL his benefits. r∙ (Luke 15:18) He pardons all your Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, iniquities, King of endless glory! I will get he heals all your ills. up and go to my father and He redeems your life shall say to him, Father, I have from destruction, sinned against heaven and he crowns you with against you. Praise to you, Lord kindness and Jesus Christ, King of endless glory!
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GOSPEL (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) this parable. “A man had two ax collectors and sin- sons, and the younger son ners were all draw- said to his father, ‘Father, give Ting near to listen to me the share of your estate Jesus, but the Pharisees and that should come to me.’ So scribes began to complain, the father divided the prop- saying, “This man welcomes erty between them. After a sinners and eats with them.” few days, the younger son So to them Jesus addressed collected all his belongings
“So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion” (Luke 15:20). » When two people fall in love, they want to be together all the time. When they must be apart, their thoughts often drift to the other. They want to share everything they have with one another. They also know, but overlook, each other’s imperfections. God’s love for us is like this, only greater. God wants to spend every moment of our lives, no matter how ordinary, with us. God speeds to our rescue when we get in over our heads and call for help. If we should go astray, God does not forget us but keeps a continual watch for our return. God is so eager to forgive us that we are wrapped in forgiveness even as we stammer our admission of wrongdoing and our sorrow for it. With a God so wondrous by our side, we need not ever be afraid. We can walk hand-in-hand with God. It is our choice. It is our gift. It is everything we need. CHARLOTTE A. RANCILIO
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 81 Lenten weekday and set off to a distant coun- still a long way off, his father try where he squandered his caught sight of him, and was inheritance on a life of dissi- filled with compassion. He pation. When he had freely ran to his son, embraced him spent everything, a severe fam- and kissed him. His son said ine struck that country, and he to him, ‘Father, I have sinned found himself in dire need. So against heaven and against he hired himself out to one you; I no longer deserve to be of the local citizens who sent called your son.’ But his father him to his farm to tend the ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, swine. And he longed to eat bring the finest robe and put his fill of the pods on which it on him; put a ring on his the swine fed, but nobody finger and sandals on his feet. gave him any. Coming to his Take the fattened calf and senses he thought, ‘How many slaughter it. Then let us cele- of my father’s hired work- brate with a feast, because this ers have more than enough son of mine was dead, and has food to eat, but here am I, come to life again; he was lost, dying from hunger. I shall get and has been found.’ Then up and go to my father and the celebration began. Now I shall say to him, “Father, I the older son had been out have sinned against heaven in the field and, on his way and against you. I no longer back, as he neared the house, deserve to be called your son; he heard the sound of music treat me as you would treat and dancing. He called one of one of your hired workers.” ’ the servants and asked what So he got up and went back this might mean. The servant to his father. While he was said to him, ‘Your brother has
82 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 6 ] Saturday returned and your father has we pray, O Lord, slaughtered the fattened calf may our redemption yield because he has him back safe its fruits, and sound.’ He became angry, restraining us from unruly and when he refused to enter desires the house, his father came out and leading us onward and pleaded with him. He said to the gifts of salvation. to his father in reply, ‘Look, Through Christ our Lord. all these years I served you Amen. and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never COMMUNION ANTIPHON gave me even a young goat to (Luke 15:32) feast on with my friends. But You must rejoice, my son, when your son returns who for your brother was dead swallowed up your property and has come to life; he was with prostitutes, for him you lost and is found. slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION here with me always; every- May your divine Sacrament, thing I have is yours. But O Lord, which we have now we must celebrate and received, rejoice, because your brother fill the inner depths of our was dead and has come to heart life again; he was lost and has and, by its working mightily been found.’ ” within us, make us partakers of its grace. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS Through Christ our Lord. Through these sacred gifts, Amen. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 83 Lenten weekday
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE Through Christ our Lord. (Optional) Amen. May the ears of your mercy be open, O Lord, to the prayers of those who RESPONDING TO THE WORD call upon you; Both sons in today’s gospel have and that you may grant what problems with their father’s they desire, generosity. have them ask what is $ Which son am I like today? pleasing to you. Jesus, today I want to…
Lord, I sometimes wander away from you.…I weaken in my intention to give my whole self to you. When I wander from you, my life becomes a burden and within me I find nothing but darkness, fear, and anxiety. So I come back to you and confess that I have sinned. Forgive me, Lord. Amen. AELRED OF RIEVAULX (1110-1167)
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Today in Focus MARCH 7 » THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT Living God’s law
As we listen to today’s readings, we do well to remember that Jesus himself was a Jew. The Ten Commandments were fundamental to Jesus, as they are to both Jews and Christians today. At Passover, many were coming to the temple in Jerusalem to offer a sacrifice (an animal or a dove). Some saw this as a wonderful business opportunity. Why not ignore the holiness of the temple and set up shop there? The gospel passage describes a tense confrontation between Jesus and these individuals, who were choosing their personal gain over God. Jesus’ love for the Father inspires his strong reaction. This episode invites us to journey deeper into Lent, examining the consistency between our own faith and our intentions and actions. Do the teachings of our faith revive and enlighten us? Are we growing in love for God and for others? When we live according to God’s law, the psalmist promises, this law will rejoice our hearts. Of course, we face many challenges and distractions. But Jesus gives us hope as he points to his coming victory over sin and death. ] beth porter livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 85 thirdLenten Su weekdaynday of lent
Sunday, March 7
Parishes engaged in the Rite of look graciously on this Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) confession of our lowliness, may celebrate the First Scrutiny today that we, who are bowed (see page 91). down by our conscience, may always be lifted up by ENTRANCE ANTIPHON your mercy. (Cf. Psalm 25 [24]:15-16) Through our Lord Jesus My eyes are always on the Christ, your Son, Lord, for he rescues my feet who lives and reigns with from the snare. Turn to me you in the unity of the and have mercy on me, for Holy Spirit, I am alone and poor. one God, for ever and ever. Amen. INTRODUCTORY RITES (page 27) These are the readings for Year B. COLLECT The readings for Year A may also O God, author of every mercy be used. and of all goodness, who in fasting, prayer and FIRST READING (Exodus 20:1-17) almsgiving For the shorter version, omit the have shown us a remedy for sin, indented parts in brackets.
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In those days, God delivered in vain. For the Lord will not all these commandments: “I, leave unpunished the one who the Lord, am your God, who takes his name in vain. brought you out of the land “Remember to keep holy of Egypt, that place of slavery. the sabbath day. You shall not have other gods [Six days you may labor besides me. and do all your work, but [You shall not carve idols the seventh day is the sab- for yourselves in the shape bath of the Lord, your God. of anything in the sky above No work may be done then or on the earth below or either by you, or your son in the waters beneath the or daughter, or your male earth; you shall not bow or female slave, or your down before them or wor- beast, or by the alien who ship them. For I, the Lord, lives with you. In six days your God, am a jealous God, the Lord made the heavens inflicting punishment for and the earth, the sea and all their fathers’ wickedness on that is in them; but on the the children of those who seventh day he rested. That hate me, down to the third is why the Lord has blessed and fourth generation; but the sabbath day and made it bestowing mercy down to holy.] the thousandth generation “Honor your father and on the children of those your mother, that you may who love me and keep my have a long life in the land commandments.] which the Lord, your God, is “You shall not take the giving you. You shall not kill. name of the Lord, your God, You shall not commit adultery.
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You shall not steal. You shall The fear of the Lord is pure, not bear false witness against enduring forever; your neighbor. You shall not the ordinances of the Lord covet your neighbor’s house. are true, You shall not covet your all of them just. r∙ neighbor’s wife, nor his male They are more precious or female slave, nor his ox or than gold, ass, nor anything else that than a heap of purest gold; belongs to him.” sweeter also than syrup The word of the Lord. or honey from the comb. r∙ Thanks be to God. SECOND READING RESPONSORIAL PSALM (1 Corinthians 1:22-25) (Psalm 19:8, 9, 10, 11) Brothers and sisters: Jews r∙ Lord, you have the words of demand signs and Greeks look everlasting life. for wisdom, but we proclaim The law of the Lord is perfect, Christ crucified, a stumbling refreshing the soul; block to Jews and foolishness the decree of the Lord to Gentiles, but to those who is trustworthy, are called, Jews and Greeks giving wisdom to alike, Christ the power of God the simple. r∙ and the wisdom of God. For The precepts of the Lord the foolishness of God is wiser are right, than human wisdom, and the rejoicing the heart; weakness of God is stronger the command of the Lord than human strength. is clear, The word of the Lord. enlightening the eye. r∙ Thanks be to God.
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VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL to those who sold doves he (John 3:16) said, “Take these out of here, Glory and praise to you, Lord and stop making my Father’s Jesus Christ! God so loved the house a marketplace.” His dis- world that he gave his only ciples recalled the words of Son, so that everyone who Scripture, Zeal for your house believes in him might have will consume me. At this the eternal life. Glory and praise to Jews answered and said to him, you, Lord Jesus Christ! “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered GOSPEL (John 2:13-25) and said to them, “Destroy A reading from the holy this temple and in three days Gospel according to John. I will raise it up.” The Jews Glory to you, O Lord. said, “This temple has been under construction for for- ince the Passover of ty-six years, and you will raise the Jews was near, Jesus it up in three days?” But he was Swent up to Jerusalem. speaking about the temple of He found in the temple area his body. Therefore, when he those who sold oxen, sheep, was raised from the dead, his and doves, as well as the disciples remembered that he money changers seated there. had said this, and they came to He made a whip out of cords believe the Scripture and the and drove them all out of the word Jesus had spoken. temple area, with the sheep While he was in Jerusalem and oxen, and spilled the coins for the feast of Passover, many of the money changers and began to believe in his name overturned their tables, and when they saw the signs he
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 89 thirdLenten Su weekdaynday of lent was doing. But Jesus would COMMUNION ANTIPHON not trust himself to them (Cf. John 4:13-14) because he knew them all, and For anyone who drinks it, did not need anyone to testify says the Lord, the water I about human nature. He him- shall give will become in self understood it well. him a spring welling up to The Gospel of the Lord. eternal life. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION PROFESSION OF FAITH (page 30) As we receive the pledge of things yet hidden in heaven PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL and are nourished while still on earth PREPARATION OF GIFTS (page 32) with the Bread that comes from on high, PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS we humbly entreat you, Be pleased, O Lord, with O Lord, these sacrificial offerings, that what is being brought and grant that we who about in us in mystery beseech pardon for our may come to true own sins, completion. may take care to forgive our Through Christ our Lord. neighbor. Amen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE Direct, O Lord, we pray, PREFACE (Lent I-II, page 33) the hearts of your faithful, and in your kindness grant
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your servants this grace: CHRISTIAN INITIATION: that, abiding in the love of FIRST SCRUTINY you and their neighbor, The Mass prayers and readings below they may fulfill the whole of are for use in parishes celebrating the your commands. First Scrutiny. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Ezekiel 36:23-26) DISMISSAL (page 56) When I prove my holiness among you, I will gather you from all the foreign lands and RESPONDING TO THE WORD I will pour clean water upon Jesus disrupts the non-religious you and cleanse you from all activities in the temple. your impurities, and I will $ What might I need to disrupt give you a new spirit, says to restore a more religious the Lord. attitude when I go to Mass? Jesus, today I will… OR (Cf. Isaiah 55:1) Come to the waters, you who SAYING AMEN are thirsty, says the Lord; you In the Collect, we make a “confes- who have no money, come sion of our lowliness” and acknowl- and drink joyfully. edge that God alone is the author of all mercy and goodness. COLLECT $ In what parts of my life would Grant, we pray, O Lord, it help me to remember that that these chosen ones may God is God, and I am not? come worthily and wisely God of all goodness… to the confession of your livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 91 thirdLenten Su weekdaynday of lent
praise, there in front of the people, so that in accordance with along with some of the elders that first dignity of Israel, holding in your which they lost by original hand, as you go, the staff with sin which you struck the river. I they may be fashioned anew will be standing there in front through your glory. of you on the rock in Horeb. Through our Lord Jesus Strike the rock, and the water Christ, your Son, will flow from it for the peo- who lives and reigns with ple to drink.” This Moses did, you in the unity of the in the presence of the elders Holy Spirit, of Israel. The place was called one God, for ever and ever. Massah and Meribah, because Amen. the Israelites quarreled there and tested the Lord, saying, FIRST READING (Exodus 17:3-7) “Is the Lord in our midst or In those days, in their thirst not?” for water, the people grum- The word of the Lord. bled against Moses, saying, Thanks be to God. “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt? Was it just to have RESPONSORIAL PSALM us die here of thirst with our (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9) children and our livestock?” r∙ If today you hear his voice, So Moses cried out to the harden not your hearts. Lord, “What shall I do with Come, let us sing joyfully this people? A little more and to the Lord; they will stone me!” The Lord let us acclaim the Rock answered Moses, “Go over of our salvation.
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Let us come into his presence whom we have gained access with thanksgiving; by faith to this grace in which let us joyfully sing psalms we stand, and we boast in to him. r∙ hope of the glory of God. Come, let us bow down And hope does not disap- in worship; point, because the love of God let us kneel before the has been poured out into our Lord who made us. hearts through the Holy Spirit For he is our God, who has been given to us. For and we are the people Christ, while we were still he shepherds, the flock helpless, died at the appointed he guides. r∙ time for the ungodly. Indeed, Oh, that today you would only with difficulty does one hear his voice: die for a just person, though “Harden not your hearts perhaps for a good person as at Meribah, one might even find courage as in the day of Massah to die. But God proves his love in the desert, for us in that while we were where your fathers still sinners Christ died for us. tempted me; The word of the Lord. they tested me though they Thanks be to God. had seen my works.” r∙ VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL SECOND READING (Romans 5:1-2, 5-8) (See John 4:42, 15) Brothers and sisters: Since we Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus have been justified by faith, we Christ! Lord, you are truly the have peace with God through Savior of the world; give me our Lord Jesus Christ, through living water, that I may never livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 93 thirdLenten Su weekdaynday of lent thirst again. Glory and praise to mon with Samaritans.—Jesus you, Lord Jesus Christ! answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God and GOSPEL (John 4:5-42) who is saying to you, ‘Give For the shorter version, omit the me a drink,’ you would have indented parts in brackets. asked him and he would have given you living water.” The A reading from the holy woman said to him, “Sir, you Gospel according to John. do not even have a bucket Glory to you, O Lord. and the cistern is deep; where then can you get this living esus came to a town of water? Are you greater than Samaria called Sychar, our father Jacob, who gave us Jnear the plot of land that this cistern and drank from it Jacob had given to his son himself with his children and Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. his flocks?” Jesus answered Jesus, tired from his journey, and said to her, “Everyone sat down there at the well. It who drinks this water will was about noon. be thirsty again; but whoever A woman of Samaria came drinks the water I shall give to draw water. Jesus said to her, will never thirst; the water I “Give me a drink.” His disci- shall give will become in him ples had gone into the town a spring of water welling up to to buy food. The Samaritan eternal life.” The woman said woman said to him, “How can to him, “Sir, give me this water, you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan so that I may not be thirsty or woman, for a drink?”—For have to keep coming here to Jews use nothing in com- draw water.”
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[Jesus said to her, “Go call now here, when true worship- your husband and come ers will worship the Father in back.” The woman answered Spirit and truth; and indeed and said to him, “I do not the Father seeks such people have a husband.” Jesus to worship him. God is Spirit, answered her, “You are right and those who worship him in saying, ‘I do not have a must worship in Spirit and husband.’ For you have had truth.” The woman said to five husbands, and the one him, “I know that the Messiah you have now is not your is coming, the one called the husband. What you have Christ; when he comes, he said is true.” The woman will tell us everything.” Jesus said to him, “Sir,] said to her, “I am he, the one “I can see that you are a (who is) speaking with you.” prophet. Our ancestors wor- [At that moment his dis- shiped on this mountain; but ciples returned, and were you people say that the place amazed that he was talking to worship is in Jerusalem.” with a woman, but still no Jesus said to her, “Believe me, one said, “What are you woman, the hour is coming looking for?” or “Why are when you will worship the you talking with her?” The Father neither on this moun- woman left her water jar and tain nor in Jerusalem. You went into the town and said people worship what you do to the people, “Come see a not understand; we worship man who told me every- what we understand, because thing I have done. Could he salvation is from the Jews. But possibly be the Christ?” They the hour is coming, and is went out of the town and livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 95 thirdLenten Su weekdaynday of lent
came to him. Meanwhile, Many of the Samaritans of the disciples urged him, that town began to believe in “Rabbi, eat.” But he said to him them, “I have food to eat of [because of the word of the which you do not know.” woman who testified, “He So the disciples said to one told me everything I have another, “Could someone done.”] have brought him some- When the Samaritans came to thing to eat?” Jesus said to him, they invited him to stay them, “My food is to do the with them; and he stayed there will of the one who sent me two days. Many more began and to finish his work. Do to believe in him because of you not say, ‘In four months his word, and they said to the the harvest will be here’? I woman, “We no longer believe tell you, look up and see the because of your word; for we fields ripe for the harvest. have heard for ourselves, and The reaper is already receiv- we know that this is truly the ing payment and gathering savior of the world.” crops for eternal life, so that The Gospel of the Lord. the sower and reaper can Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. rejoice together. For here the saying is verified that ‘One PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS sows and another reaps.’ I May your merciful grace sent you to reap what you prepare your servants, have not worked for; oth- O Lord, ers have done the work, and for the worthy celebration of you are sharing the fruits of these mysteries their work.”] and lead them to it by a
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devout way of life. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Through Christ our Lord. of hosts… (page 40) Amen. COMMUNION ANTIPHON PREFACE: THE SAMARITAN WOMAN (Cf. John 4:13-14) It is truly right and just, For anyone who drinks it, our duty and our salvation, says the Lord, the water I always and everywhere to shall give will become in give you thanks, him a spring welling up to Lord, holy Father, almighty eternal life. and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Give help, O Lord, we pray, For when he asked the by the grace of your Samaritan woman for redemption water to drink, and be pleased to protect and he had already created the prepare gift of faith within her those you are to initiate and so ardently did he thirst through the Sacraments of for her faith, eternal life. that he kindled in her the fire Through Christ our Lord. of divine love. Amen.
And so we, too, give you thanks and with the Angels praise your mighty deeds, as we acclaim: livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 97 » third Sunday of lent
Living with Christ This Week
PSALM RESPONSE Our Lenten pilgrim- age of conversion r∙ Lord, you have the words continues this week of everlasting life. with readings about This week’s psalm response reminds us God’s transforming that the precepts of the Lord bring joy to power at work for our heart. Naaman, Azariah, Moses, Jeremiah, GENERAL INTERCESSIONS and Hosea. In the Use these intercessions with your prayers gospels, Jesus’ rejec- this week. tion in Nazareth # For those who cry to you for help: prefigures his rejec- r∙ Show them your kindness tion in Jerusalem. and mercy, Lord. He reveals that true conversion requires # For all persons caught up in conflicts unlimited forgive- and wars: r∙ ness, fidelity to God’s # For all who try to bring healing to those commandments, bat- who suffer pain: r∙ tling against evil, and humility. ] # For those who labor in your vineyard to produce good fruit: r∙
98 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us MONDAY COLLECT MARCH 8 May your unfailing LENTEN WEEKDAY compassion, O Lord, cleanse and protect your [ St. John of God, religious Church, (1495-1550) ] Born in Portugal, he and, since without you she was taken to Spain as a child. At cannot stand secure, age forty, wracked by guilt over may she be always governed what he considered a wasted life, by your grace. he sought the counsel of John of Through our Lord Jesus Ávila, a preacher and mission- Christ, your Son, ary, who helped him find a new who lives and reigns with purpose. He dedicated himself you in the unity of the to the care of the sick and the Holy Spirit, poor. Others joined him, and they one God, for ever and ever. formed the Order of Brothers Amen. Hospitallers. He is a patron of hospitals and the sick. Like John, FIRST READING (2 Kings 5:1-15ab) may we be willing to change our Naaman, the army commander lives and dedicate ourselves to of the king of Aram, was highly helping those in need. ] esteemed and respected by his master, for through him the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Lord had brought victory to (Cf. Psalm 84 [83]:3) Aram. But valiant as he was, My soul is longing and the man was a leper. Now yearning for the courts of the the Arameans had captured Lord. My heart and my flesh in a raid on the land of Israel cry out to the living God. a little girl, who became the livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 99 Lenten weekday servant of Naaman’s wife. “If for a quarrel with me!” When only my master would pres- Elisha, the man of God, heard ent himself to the prophet in that the king of Israel had torn Samaria,” she said to her mis- his garments, he sent word to tress, “he would cure him of the king: “Why have you torn his leprosy.” Naaman went and your garments? Let him come told his lord just what the slave to me and find out that there girl from the land of Israel is a prophet in Israel.” had said. “Go,” said the king Naaman came with his of Aram. “I will send along a horses and chariots and letter to the king of Israel.” So stopped at the door of Elisha’s Naaman set out, taking along house. The prophet sent him ten silver talents, six thousand the message: “Go and wash gold pieces, and ten festal gar- seven times in the Jordan, and ments. To the king of Israel he your flesh will heal, and you brought the letter, which read: will be clean.” But Naaman “With this letter I am sending went away angry, saying, “I my servant Naaman to you, thought that he would surely that you may cure him of his come out and stand there to leprosy.” invoke the Lord his God, and When he read the letter, would move his hand over the the king of Israel tore his gar- spot, and thus cure the leprosy. ments and exclaimed: “Am I a Are not the rivers of Damascus, god with power over life and the Abana and the Pharpar, bet- death, that this man should ter than all the waters of Israel? send someone to me to be Could I not wash in them and cured of leprosy? Take note! be cleansed?” With this, he You can see he is only looking turned about in anger and left.
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But his servants came up and so my soul longs for you, reasoned with him. “My father,” O God. r∙ they said, “if the prophet had Athirst is my soul for God, told you to do something the living God. extraordinary, would you not When shall I go and behold have done it? All the more now, the face of God? r∙ since he said to you, ‘Wash and Send forth your light and be clean,’ should you do as he your fidelity; said.” So Naaman went down they shall lead me on and plunged into the Jordan And bring me to your seven times at the word of the holy mountain, man of God. His flesh became to your dwelling-place. r∙ again like the flesh of a little Then will I go in to the altar child, and he was clean. of God, He returned with his whole the God of my gladness retinue to the man of God. and joy; On his arrival he stood before Then will I give you thanks him and said, “Now I know upon the harp, that there is no God in all the O God, my God! r∙ earth, except in Israel.” VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalms 42:2, (See Psalm 130:5, 7) 3; 43:3, 4 (or Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7ab, 7c-9) Glory and praise to you, Lord r∙ Athirst is my soul for the living Jesus Christ! I hope in the Lord, God. When shall I go and I trust in his word; with him behold the face of God? there is kindness and plen- As the hind longs for the teous redemption. Glory and running waters, praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 101 Lenten weekday
GOSPEL (Luke 4:24-30) these that Elijah was sent, but esus said to the peo- only to a widow in Zarephath ple in the synagogue at in the land of Sidon. Again, JNazareth: “Amen, I say to there were many lepers in you, no prophet is accepted in Israel during the time of Elisha his own native place. Indeed, the prophet; yet not one of I tell you, there were many them was cleansed, but only widows in Israel in the days of Naaman the Syrian.” When Elijah when the sky was closed the people in the synagogue for three and a half years and a heard this, they were all filled severe famine spread over the with fury. They rose up, drove entire land. It was to none of him out of the town, and led
“Naaman went away angry, saying, ‘I thought that he would surely come out and stand there to invoke the Lord his God…’ ” (2 Kings 5:11). » Naaman comes to Elisha to be cured of his leprosy. When he’s instructed to wash in the river Jordan, Naaman is indignant, thinking this can’t be the answer because it’s a common act, not a magical ritual. Isn’t this often the case? We’re looking for a big sign or special process. But God’s presence in our lives can be found in daily actions and small gifts. It’s not about invoking God’s grace; it’s about recognizing it in ordinary events. To act with intentionality, our heart open to God’s grace and healing, turns daily routine into an offering to God. St. Paul said, “pray without ceasing”—meaning not to spend our lives in devotion, but to make our lives a continuous devotion. PHIL FOX ROSE
102 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 8 ] Monday him to the brow of the hill on your gift. which their town had been Through Christ our Lord. built, to hurl him down head- Amen. long. But he passed through the midst of them and went PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) away. May your right hand, we ask, O Lord, PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS protect this people that May what we offer you, makes entreaty to you: O Lord, graciously purify them and in token of our service, give them instruction, be transformed by you into that, finding solace in this the sacrament of salvation. life, Through Christ our Lord. they may reach the good Amen. things to come. Through Christ our Lord. COMMUNION ANTIPHON Amen. (Psalm 117 (116):1,2 O praise the Lord, all you nations, for his merciful love RESPONDING TO THE WORD towards us is great. Jesus was rejected by those from his native place. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION $ Do I treat my family, friends, May communion in this your and others with whom I am Sacrament, familiar with respect? we pray, O Lord, Jesus, help me… bring with it purification and the unity that is livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 103 TUESDAY ENTRANCE ANTIPHON MARCH 9 (Cf. Psalm 17 [16]:6, 8) LENTEN WEEKDAY To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn [ St. Frances of Rome, religious your ear to me; hear my (1384-1440) ] Frances was married words. Guard me as the apple at age thirteen and had six chil- of your eye; in the shadow of dren. The deaths of two of her chil- your wings protect me. dren sensitized her to the needs of the less fortunate. She took care of COLLECT the poor, the sick, and the needy. May your grace not forsake us, Other women soon joined her in a O Lord, we pray, life of prayer and caring for others but make us dedicated to as Benedictine oblates. When her your holy service husband died, Frances founded a and at all times obtain for us monastery for the oblates and re- your help. mained its superior until her death. Through our Lord Jesus May we imitate her generous spirit Christ, your Son, and ability to attract others to help who lives and reigns with those in need, especially grieving you in the unity of the wives and mothers. ] Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. The following readings may be used Amen. on any day this week, especially in Years B and C when the Gospel of the READING (Daniel 3:25, 34-43) Samaritan Woman is not read on the Azariah stood up in the fire Third Sunday of Lent: Exodus 17:1-7; and prayed aloud: John 4:5-42 (236). “For your name’s sake,
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O Lord, do not let us be received; deliver us up forever, As though it were burnt or make void your offerings of rams covenant. and bullocks, Do not take away your or thousands of fat lambs, mercy from us, So let our sacrifice be in for the sake of Abraham, your presence today your beloved, as we follow you Isaac your servant, and unreservedly; Israel your holy one, for those who trust in you To whom you promised to cannot be put to shame. multiply their offspring And now we follow you like the stars of heaven, with our whole heart, or the sand on the shore we fear you and we pray of the sea. to you. For we are reduced, O Lord, Do not let us be put to shame, beyond any other nation, but deal with us in your brought low everywhere kindness and great mercy. in the world this day Deliver us by your wonders because of our sins. and bring glory to your We have in our day no prince, name, O Lord.” prophet, or leader, no burnt offering, sacrifice, RESPONSORIAL PSALM oblation, or incense, (Psalm 25:4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9) no place to offer first fruits, r∙ Remember your mercies, to find favor with you. O Lord. But with contrite heart Your ways, O Lord, make and humble spirit known to me;
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teach me your paths, whole heart; for I am gracious Guide me in your truth and merciful. Glory and praise and teach me, to you, Lord Jesus Christ! for you are God my savior. r∙ Remember your mercies, GOSPEL (Matthew 18:21-35) O Lord. eter approached Jesus Remember that your and asked him, “Lord, if compassion, O Lord, Pmy brother sins against and your kindness are me, how often must I for- from of old. give him? As many as seven In your kindness times?” Jesus answered, “I say remember me, to you, not seven times but because of your goodness, seventy-seven times. That is O Lord. r∙ why the Kingdom of heaven Good and upright is may be likened to a king who the Lord; decided to settle accounts with thus he shows sinners his servants. When he began the way. the accounting, a debtor was He guides the humble brought before him who owed to justice, him a huge amount. Since he he teaches the humble had no way of paying it back, his way. r∙ his master ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, his VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL children, and all his prop- (Joel 2:12-13) erty, in payment of the debt. Glory and praise to you, Lord At that, the servant fell down, Jesus Christ! Even now, says the did him homage, and said, ‘Be Lord, return to me with your patient with me, and I will pay
106 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 9 ] Tuesday you back in full.’ Moved with me, and I will pay you back.’ compassion the master of that But he refused. Instead, he servant let him go and forgave had him put in prison until him the loan. When that ser- he paid back the debt. Now vant had left, he found one of when his fellow servants saw his fellow servants who owed what had happened, they were him a much smaller amount. deeply disturbed, and went to He seized him and started to their master and reported the choke him, demanding, ‘Pay whole affair. His master sum- back what you owe.’ Falling to moned him and said to him, his knees, his fellow servant ‘You wicked servant! I forgave begged him, ‘Be patient with you your entire debt because
You may not know the name Alessandro Serenelli, but you surely know at least part of his story. When he was 20, he repeatedly stabbed 11-year-old Maria Goretti because she refused his advances. She forgave Alessandro on her deathbed, saying she wanted to see him in paradise. What you may not know is that Alessandro had a conversion experience in prison. When he was released years later, he asked for and received forgiveness from Maria’s mother and went to work at a monastery. He attended Maria’s canonization in 1950. Sometimes our own sins seem so monumental that we question whether forgiveness is truly possible. Alessandro’s story reminds us that, coming to the Lord with a contrite heart, there is no limit to God's mercy. MELANIE RIGNEY
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 107 Lenten weekday you begged me to. Should you PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION not have had pity on your fel- May the holy partaking of low servant, as I had pity on this mystery you?’ Then in anger his mas- give us life, O Lord, we pray, ter handed him over to the and grant us both pardon torturers until he should pay and protection. back the whole debt. So will Through Christ our Lord. my heavenly Father do to you, Amen. unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart.” PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) O God, founder and ruler PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS of your people, Grant us, O Lord, we pray, drive away the sins that that this saving sacrifice assail them, may cleanse us of our faults that they may always be and become an oblation pleasing to you pleasing to your almighty and ever safe under your power. protection. Through Christ our Lord. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. Amen.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 15 [14]:1-2) RESPONDING TO THE WORD Lord, who may abide in your Peter learns that our forgiveness tent, and dwell on your holy must never be limited. mountain? Whoever walks $ Whom do I hesitate to for- without fault and does what give? Why? is just. Jesus, help me to…
108 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us WEDNESDAY READING (Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9) MARCH 10 Moses spoke to the people LENTEN WEEKDAY and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which ENTRANCE ANTIPHON I am teaching you to observe, (Cf. Psalm 119 [118]:133) that you may live, and may Let my steps be guided by enter in and take possession your promise; may evil never of the land which the Lord, rule me. the God of your fathers, is giving you. Therefore, COLLECT I teach you the statutes and Grant, we pray, O Lord, decrees as the Lord, my God, that, schooled through has commanded me, that you Lenten observance may observe them in the land and nourished by your word, you are entering to occupy. through holy restraint Observe them carefully, for we may be devoted to you thus will you give evidence with all our heart of your wisdom and intelli- and be ever united in prayer. gence to the nations, who will Through our Lord Jesus hear of all these statutes and Christ, your Son, say, ‘This great nation is truly who lives and reigns with a wise and intelligent people.’ you in the unity of the For what great nation is there Holy Spirit, that has gods so close to it as one God, for ever and ever. the Lord, our God, is to us Amen. whenever we call upon him? Or what great nation has stat- utes and decrees that are as livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 109 Lenten weekday just as this whole law which his statutes and his I am setting before you today? ordinances to Israel. “However, take care and be He has not done thus earnestly on your guard not to for any other nation; forget the things which your his ordinances he has not own eyes have seen, nor let made known to them. r∙ them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL them to your children and to (See John 6:63c, 68c) your children’s children.” Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Your words, Lord, RESPONSORIAL PSALM are Spirit and life; you have (Psalm 147:12-13, 15-16, 19-20) the words of everlasting life. r∙ Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. Glory and praise to you, Lord Glorify the Lord, Jesus Christ! O Jerusalem; praise your God, O Zion. GOSPEL (Matthew 5:17-19) For he has strengthened the esus said to his disciples: bars of your gates; “Do not think that I have he has blessed your Jcome to abolish the law children within you. r∙ or the prophets. I have come He sends forth his command not to abolish but to fulfill. to the earth; Amen, I say to you, until heaven swiftly runs his word! and earth pass away, not the He spreads snow like wool; smallest letter or the smallest frost he strews like ashes. r∙ part of a letter will pass from He has proclaimed his word the law, until all things have to Jacob, taken place. Therefore, who-
110 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 10 ] Wednesday ever breaks one of the least PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS of these commandments and Accept, O Lord, we pray, teaches others to do so will be the prayers of your people called least in the Kingdom along with these sacrificial of heaven. But whoever offerings, obeys and teaches these com- and defend those who mandments will be called celebrate your mysteries greatest in the Kingdom of from every kind of danger. heaven.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“However, take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory” (Deuteronomy 4:9). » Psychologists say that we humans are capable of selective retention. This means that, to a certain extent, we can pick and choose those things we wish to remember and those we wish to forget. Selective retention comes in handy at times. It helps us not to dwell on all our negative experiences. It can also help us to remember some of the good things we have experienced. Some negative experiences we cannot forget, and that’s all right. Such experiences hopefully have taught us valuable lessons and helped us to grow in wisdom, compassion, and trust in God. In the passage above, Moses instructs the people always to remember the good things God has done for them. So must we. A suggestion: Take a few minutes today to remember three ways God has blessed you and your life. SR. MELANNIE SVOBODA, S.N.D.
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COMMUNION ANTIPHON RESPONDING TO THE WORD (Cf. Psalm 16 [15]:11) Moses tells us to remember how You will show me the path of God has been at work in our lives. life, the fullness of joy in your $ Which of God’s acts can presence, O Lord. I share today? Jesus, today I will… PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION May the heavenly banquet, at which we have been fed, sanctify us, O Lord, and, cleansing us of all errors, make us worthy of your promises from on high. We beseech you, Through Christ our Lord. O Lord: keep our tongues Amen. from evil, and our lips
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) from speaking guile, Give to your people, that as your holy angels our God, a resolve that is pleasing ever sing your praises to you, in heaven so with for, by conforming them to your teachings, our tongues we may you bestow on them every at all times glorify favor. Through Christ our Lord. you on earth. Amen. ROMAN BREVIARY
112 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us THURSDAY READING (Jeremiah 7:23-28) MARCH 11 Thus says the Lord: This is LENTEN WEEKDAY what I commanded my peo- ple: Listen to my voice; then ENTRANCE ANTIPHON I will be your God and you I am the salvation of the shall be my people. Walk in people, says the Lord. Should all the ways that I command they cry to me in any distress, you, so that you may prosper. I will hear them, and I will be But they obeyed not, nor did their Lord for ever. they pay heed. They walked in the hardness of their evil COLLECT hearts and turned their backs, We implore your majesty not their faces, to me. From the most humbly, O Lord, day that your fathers left the that, as the feast of our land of Egypt even to this day, salvation draws ever closer, I have sent you untiringly all so we may press forward all my servants the prophets. Yet the more eagerly they have not obeyed me nor towards the worthy paid heed; they have stiffened celebration of the Paschal their necks and done worse Mystery. than their fathers. When you Through our Lord Jesus speak all these words to them, Christ, your Son, they will not listen to you who lives and reigns with either; when you call to them, you in the unity of the they will not answer you. Say Holy Spirit, to them: This is the nation that one God, for ever and ever. does not listen to the voice of Amen. the Lord, its God, or take cor- livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 113 Lenten weekday rection. Faithfulness has dis- as in the day of Massah appeared; the word itself is in the desert, banished from their speech. Where your fathers tempted me; RESPONSORIAL PSALM they tested me though they (Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9) had seen my works.” r∙ r∙ If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Come, let us sing joyfully (Joel 2:12-13) to the Lord; Glory and praise to you, Lord let us acclaim the Rock Jesus Christ! Even now, says the of our salvation. Lord, return to me with your Let us come into his presence whole heart, for I am gracious with thanksgiving; and merciful. Glory and praise let us joyfully sing psalms to you, Lord Jesus Christ! to him. r∙ Come, let us bow down GOSPEL (Luke 11:14-23) in worship; esus was driving out a let us kneel before the demon that was mute, and Lord who made us. Jwhen the demon had gone For he is our God, out, the mute man spoke and and we are the people the crowds were amazed. Some he shepherds, of them said, “By the power the flock he guides. r∙ of Beelzebul, the prince of Oh, that today you would demons, he drives out demons.” hear his voice: Others, to test him, asked him “Harden not your hearts for a sign from heaven. But as at Meribah, he knew their thoughts and
114 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 11 ] Thursday said to them, “Every kingdom of God that I drive out demons, divided against itself will be then the Kingdom of God laid waste and house will fall has come upon you. When a against house. And if Satan is strong man fully armed guards divided against himself, how his palace, his possessions are will his kingdom stand? For safe. But when one stronger you say that it is by Beelzebul than he attacks and overcomes that I drive out demons. If I, him, he takes away the armor then, drive out demons by on which he relied and dis- Beelzebul, by whom do your tributes the spoils. Whoever is own people drive them out? not with me is against me, and Therefore they will be your whoever does not gather with judges. But if it is by the finger me scatters.”
Obedience. That’s all the Lord asked of the children of Israel in exchange for eternal protection and friendship. But they found that following God’s will was much more onerous than sacrifices and burnt offerings. And so, Jerusalem fell. Some 2,600 years later, it seems like not much has changed. Obedience is close to a dirty word in our society. We love the idea of God, but when we are called to put God and service to God’s people before everything else, well, that’s not easy. Yet when we summon up the faith to cede control—to let go and let God—we find that, as uncomfortable and costly as that may be in the moment, we’re still getting the better end of the deal. Lord, help me to grow in love, trust, and humility. MELANIE RIGNEY
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PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS Through Christ our Lord. Cleanse your people, Lord, Amen. we pray, from every taint of wickedness, PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) that their gifts may be We call on your loving pleasing to you; kindness and do not let them cling and trust in your mercy, to false joys, O Lord, for you promise them the that, since we have from you rewards of your truth. all that we are, Through Christ our Lord. through your grace we may Amen. seek what is right and have strength to do the COMMUNION ANTIPHON good we desire. (Psalm 119 [118]:4-5) Through Christ our Lord. You have laid down your Amen. precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes. RESPONDING TO THE WORD Jesus says a divided kingdom can- PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION not stand. Graciously raise up, O Lord, $ How is my heart divided in those you renew with this responding to God? Sacrament, Jesus, help me to… that we may come to possess your salvation both in mystery and in the manner of our life.
116 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us FRIDAY READING (Hosea 14:2-10) MARCH 12 Thus says the Lord: LENTEN WEEKDAY Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God; ENTRANCE ANTIPHON you have collapsed (Psalm 86 [85]:8, 10) through your guilt. Among the gods there is Take with you words, none like you, O Lord, and return to the Lord; for you are great and do Say to him, “Forgive all marvelous deeds; you alone iniquity, are God. and receive what is good, that we may render COLLECT as offerings the bullocks Pour your grace into our from our stalls. hearts, we pray, O Lord, Assyria will not save us, that we may be constantly nor shall we have drawn away from unruly horses to mount; desires We shall say no more, and obey by your own gift ‘Our god,’ the heavenly teaching you to the work of our hands; give us. for in you the orphan Through our Lord Jesus finds compassion.” Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with I will heal their defection, you in the unity of the says the Lord, Holy Spirit, I will love them freely; one God, for ever and ever. for my wrath is turned Amen. away from them.
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I will be like the dew Let him who is wise for Israel: understand these things; he shall blossom let him who is prudent like the lily; know them. He shall strike root like the Straight are the paths Lebanon cedar, of the Lord, and put forth his shoots. in them the just walk, His splendor shall be like but sinners stumble the olive tree in them. and his fragrance like the Lebanon cedar. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Again they shall dwell (Psalm 81:6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14, 17) in his shade r∙ I am the Lord your God: and raise grain; hear my voice. They shall blossom like An unfamiliar speech I hear: the vine, “I relieved his shoulder and his fame shall be like of the burden; the wine of Lebanon. his hands were freed from the basket. Ephraim! What more has he In distress you called, to do with idols? and I rescued you.” r∙ I have humbled him, but “Unseen, I answered you I will prosper him. in thunder; “I am like a verdant I tested you at the waters cypress tree”— of Meribah. Because of me Hear, my people, and I will you bear fruit! admonish you; O Israel, will you
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not hear me?” r∙ first of all the command- “There shall be no strange ments?” Jesus replied, “The god among you first is this: Hear, O Israel! The nor shall you worship Lord our God is Lord alone! You any alien god. shall love the Lord your God I, the Lord, am your God with all your heart, with all your who led you forth from soul, with all your mind, and the land of Egypt.” r∙ with all your strength. The sec- “If only my people would ond is this: You shall love your hear me, neighbor as yourself. There is no and Israel walk in my ways, other commandment greater I would feed them with the than these.” The scribe said to best of wheat, him, “Well said, teacher. You and with honey from the are right in saying, He is One rock I would fill them.” r∙ and there is no other than he. And to love him with all your VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL heart, with all your understand- (Matthew 4:17) ing, with all your strength, and Glory and praise to you, Lord to love your neighbor as your- Jesus Christ! Repent, says the self is worth more than all Lord; the Kingdom of heaven burnt offerings and sacrifices.” is at hand. Glory and praise to And when Jesus saw that he you, Lord Jesus Christ! answered with understand- ing, he said to him, “You are GOSPEL (Mark 12:28-34) not far from the Kingdom of ne of the scribes came God.” And no one dared to ask to Jesus and asked him any more questions. Ohim, “Which is the
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PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS COMMUNION ANTIPHON Look with favor, we pray, (Cf. Mark 12:33) Lord, To love God with all your on the offerings we dedicate, heart, and your neighbor as that they may be pleasing in yourself, is worth more than your sight any sacrifice. and always be salutary for us. Through Christ our Lord. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Amen. May your strength be at work in us, O Lord,
“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket” (Psalm 81:7). » When I read the verse above, I wondered, “What basket is the psalmist referring to?” I looked up the verse and learned that the basket was the kind the Israelites used to carry clay bricks in when they were slaves in Egypt. God, through the Exodus, freed them from their slavery—and their heavy baskets. What a powerful image for us. At times we, too, may feel as if we have a basket of bricks on our shoulders, times when we feel weighed down by our burdens, worries, and concerns. Perhaps we’re worried about a loved one, experiencing financial problems, struggling with a serious health issue. Maybe we are plagued by loneliness, feel exhausted, or have this nebulous but debilitating fear of the future. Jesus, through the new Exodus we commemorate every Lent, wishes to free us of our burdens by taking them upon his own shoulders. Ask him to help you to put down your basket. SR. MELANNIE SVOBODA, S.N.D.
120 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us pervading our minds and SATURDAY bodies, MARCH 13 that what we have received LENTEN WEEKDAY by participating in this Sacrament ENTRANCE ANTIPHON may bring us the fullness of (Psalm 103 [102]:2-3) redemption. Bless the Lord, O my soul, Through Christ our Lord. and never forget all his Amen. benefits; it is he who forgives all your sins. PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) Look graciously, O Lord, COLLECT upon the faithful who Rejoicing in this annual implore your mercy, celebration that, trusting in your kindness, of our Lenten observance, they may spread far and wide we pray, O Lord, the gifts your charity has that, with our hearts set on bestowed. the paschal mysteries, Through Christ our Lord. we may be gladdened by Amen. their full effects. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, RESPONDING TO THE WORD who lives and reigns with Hosea reminds us that God is you in the unity of the reaching out to heal and save us. Holy Spirit, $ Where in my life am I not one God, for ever and ever. responding to God’s call? Amen. Jesus, today I will… livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 121 Lenten weekday
READING (Hosea 6:1-6) morning cloud, “Come, let us return like the dew that to the Lord, early passes away. it is he who has rent, For this reason I smote them but he will heal us; through the prophets, he has struck us, but he I slew them by the words will bind our wounds. of my mouth; He will revive us For it is love that I desire, after two days; not sacrifice, on the third day he and knowledge of God will raise us up, rather than burnt to live in his presence. offerings. Let us know, let us strive to know the Lord; RESPONSORIAL PSALM as certain as the dawn (Psalm 51:3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab) is his coming, r∙ It is mercy I desire, and not and his judgment shines sacrifice. forth like the light of day! Have mercy on me, O God, He will come to us in your goodness; like the rain, in the greatness of your like spring rain that waters compassion wipe out the earth.” my offense. Thoroughly wash me What can I do with you, from my guilt Ephraim? and of my sin cleanse me. r∙ What can I do with you, For you are not pleased Judah? with sacrifices; Your piety is like a should I offer a burnt
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offering, you would not righteousness and despised accept it. everyone else. “Two people My sacrifice, O God, went up to the temple area to is a contrite spirit; pray; one was a Pharisee and a heart contrite and the other was a tax collector. humbled, O God, The Pharisee took up his posi- you will not spurn. r∙ tion and spoke this prayer to Be bountiful, O Lord, to himself, ‘O God, I thank you Zion in your kindness that I am not like the rest of by rebuilding the walls humanity—greedy, dishon- of Jerusalem; est, adulterous—or even like Then shall you be pleased this tax collector. I fast twice with due sacrifices, a week, and I pay tithes on my burnt offerings and whole income.’ But the tax col- holocausts. r∙ lector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL eyes to heaven but beat his (Psalm 95:8) breast and prayed, ‘O God, Glory and praise to you, Lord be merciful to me a sinner.’ I Jesus Christ! If today you hear tell you, the latter went home his voice, harden not your justified, not the former; for hearts. Glory and praise to you, everyone who exalts himself Lord Jesus Christ! will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be GOSPEL (Luke 18:9-14) exalted.” esus addressed this par- able to those who were PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS Jconvinced of their own O God, by whose grace it
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comes to pass COMMUNION ANTIPHON that we may approach your (Luke 18:13) mysteries The tax collector stood at a with minds made pure, distance, beating his breast grant, we pray, and saying: O God, be that, in reverently handing merciful to me, a sinner. them on, we may offer you fitting PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION homage. May we truly revere, Through Christ our Lord. O merciful God, Amen. these holy gifts, by which you ceaselessly nourish us,
Sometimes with parables, between the foreign cultural context and multiple characters with problematic aspects, it can be hard to sort out the message. But this story of the Pharisee and tax collector at the temple area—a favorite of mine—couldn’t be clearer. The Pharisee, proud of his own righteousness and looking down on the other, is focused on himself and disconnected from God. The tax collector—one of the most despised persons in Jewish culture—“went home justified” because he presented himself to God humbly, uttering the familiar theme phrase: “be merciful to me a sinner.” Since someone like the Pharisee still might not get it, Jesus speaks bluntly: The self-righteous will be brought low; the humble will be lifted up. Lord, give me a humble heart this Lent. PHIL FOX ROSE
124 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 13 ] Saturday and may we always partake and merit the granting of of them what they ask. with abundant faith in our Through Christ our Lord. heart. Amen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. RESPONDING TO THE WORD PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) Like the Pharisee, we often pride Hold out to your faithful ourselves on how well we are doing people, Lord, religiously. the right hand of heavenly $ What most often tempts me assistance, to consider myself better than that they may seek you with others? all their heart Jesus, help me…
Since happiness is nothing other than the enjoyment of the highest good and since the highest good is above, no one can be made happy unless [they] rise above [themseves], not by an ascent of the body, but of the heart. But we cannot rise above ourselves unless a higher power lifts us up. » ST. BONAVENTURE
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Today in Focus MARCH 14 » FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT Come to the light
A young gang member in a state prison told the priest who came to visit him about a dream he had in which the two were together in a completely dark room. The youth was searching for the light switch but in vain. However, the priest had a flashlight that he shone on the switch. He didn’t go over to turn it on, but simply showed the youth where it was. The youth had to go and turn on the light himself. And his comment to the priest was, “The light is so much better than the darkness.” The light of Christ is so much better than the darkness of selfishness and sin. But Christ does not force that light upon us; we have to come to the light. We have to choose to allow the light of Christ to shine in and through us. Sometimes we need a little help to find it. But once we find the light of God’s loving presence in our life and embrace it, life looks a whole lot better. May the light of Christ, lifted up for our salvation, shine brightly in us so that all we do may be done in God and be a witness to the power of God’s love. ] fr. leonard altilia, s.j.
126 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 14 Sunday
Sunday, March 14
Parishes engaged in the Rite of that with prompt devotion Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) and eager faith may celebrate the Second Scrutiny the Christian people may today (see page 133). hasten toward the solemn ENTRANCE ANTIPHON celebrations to come. (Cf. Isaiah 66:10-11) Through our Lord Jesus Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all Christ, your Son, who love her. Be joyful, all who lives and reigns with who were in mourning; you in the unity of the exult and be satisfied at her Holy Spirit, consoling breast. one God, for ever and ever. Amen. INTRODUCTORY RITES (page 27) These are the readings for Year B. COLLECT The readings for Year A may also O God, who through your be used. Word reconcile the human race to FIRST READING yourself in a wonderful way, (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23) grant, we pray, In those days, all the princes livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 127 fLoentenurth weekdaySunday of lent of Judah, the priests, and the dom of the Persians came to people added infidelity to infi- power. All this was to fulfill delity, practicing all the abom- the word of the Lord spoken inations of the nations and by Jeremiah: “Until the land polluting the Lord’s temple has retrieved its lost sabbaths, which he had consecrated in during all the time it lies waste Jerusalem. it shall have rest while seventy Early and often did the years are fulfilled.” Lord, the God of their fathers, In the first year of Cyrus, send his messengers to them, king of Persia, in order to fulfill for he had compassion on his the word of the Lord spoken people and his dwelling place. by Jeremiah, the Lord inspired But they mocked the mes- King Cyrus of Persia to issue sengers of God, despised his this proclamation throughout warnings, and scoffed at his his kingdom, both by word of prophets, until the anger of the mouth and in writing: “Thus Lord against his people was says Cyrus, king of Persia: All so inflamed that there was no the kingdoms of the earth the remedy. Their enemies burnt Lord, the God of heaven, has the house of God, tore down given to me, and he has also the walls of Jerusalem, set all charged me to build him a its palaces afire, and destroyed house in Jerusalem, which is all its precious objects. Those in Judah. Whoever, therefore, who escaped the sword were among you belongs to any part carried captive to Babylon, of his people, let him go up, where they became servants and may his God be with him!” of the king of the Chaldeans The word of the Lord. and his sons until the king- Thanks be to God.
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM SECOND READING (Ephesians 2:4-10) (Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6) Brothers and sisters: God, who r∙ Let my tongue be silenced, is rich in mercy,$ because of if I ever forget you! the great love he had for us, By the streams of Babylon even when we were dead in we sat and wept our transgressions, brought us when we remembered to life with Christ—by grace Zion. you have been saved—, raised On the aspens of that land us up with him, and seated us we hung up our harps. r∙ with him in the heavens in For there our captors Christ Jesus, that in the ages asked of us to come he might show the the lyrics of our songs, immeasurable riches of his and our despoilers urged grace in his kindness to us us to be joyous: in Christ Jesus. For by grace “Sing for us the you have been saved through songs of Zion!” r∙ faith, and this is not from you; How could we sing a it is the gift of God; it is not song of the Lord from works, so no one may in a foreign land? boast. For we are his handi- If I forget you, Jerusalem, work, created in Christ Jesus may my right hand for the good works that God be forgotten! r∙ has prepared in advance, that May my tongue cleave we should live in them. to my palate The word of the Lord. if I remember you not, Thanks be to God. if I place not Jerusalem ahead of my joy. r∙ livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 129 fLoentenurth weekdaySunday of lent
$ Mercy In the Old Testament, mercy usually identifies a complex Hebrew idea that describes God’s special covenant love. God’s attitude of love or attachment to the covenant partners includes aspects of loyalty, dependability, trustworthiness, and an eagerness to help when situations turn bad. Paul echoes this fierce fidelity by describing God’s eagerness to rescue or save us when we were alienated by sin. God’s desire to be in relationship with us keeps God alert to our cries for help and eager to deliver us from what separates us from God.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL esus said to Nicodemus: (John 3:16) “Just as Moses lifted up Glory and praise to you, Lord Jthe serpent in the desert, Jesus Christ! God so loved the so must the Son of Man be world that he gave his only lifted up, so that everyone who Son, so everyone who believes believes in him may have eter- in him might have eternal nal life.” life. Glory and praise to you, Lord For God so loved the world Jesus Christ! that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes GOSPEL (John 3:14-21) in him might not perish but A reading from the holy might have eternal life. For Gospel according to John. God did not send his Son Glory to you, O Lord. into the world to condemn the world, but that the world
130 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us MFarchMarch 13 14 ] S at Suurnddayay might be saved through him. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS Whoever believes in him will We place before you with joy not be condemned, but who- these offerings, ever does not believe has which bring eternal remedy, already been condemned, O Lord, because he has not believed praying that we may both in the name of the only Son faithfully revere them of God. And this is the verdict, and present them to you, that the light came into the as is fitting, world, but people preferred for the salvation of all the darkness to light, because their world. works were evil. For everyone Through Christ our Lord. who does wicked things hates Amen. the light and does not come toward the light, so that his PREFACE (Lent I-II, page 33) works might not be exposed. But whoever lives the truth COMMUNION ANTIPHON comes to the light, so that his (Cf. Psalm 122 [121]:3-4) works may be clearly seen as Jerusalem is built as a city done in God. bonded as one together. It The Gospel of the Lord. is there that the tribes go Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. up, the tribes of the Lord, to praise the name of the Lord. PROFESSION OF FAITH (page 30) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL O God, who enlighten everyone who comes into PREPARATION OF GIFTS (page 32) this world, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 131 fLoentenurth weekdaySunday of lent illuminate our hearts, Through Christ our Lord. we pray, Amen. with the splendor of your grace, DISMISSAL (page 56) that we may always ponder what is worthy and pleasing to your majesty RESPONDING TO THE WORD and love you in all sincerity. Jesus is the light that drives away Through Christ our Lord. the shadows in our hearts. Amen. $ What shadowy areas in me has Christ’s light been shining PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE into this Lent? Look upon those who call Jesus, be with me… to you, O Lord, and sustain the weak; SAYING AMEN give life by your unfailing The Collect speaks of our “prompt light devotion and eager faith.” to those who walk in the $ How prompt is my devotion? shadow of death, How eager my faith? and bring those rescued by Merciful God, in the remaining your mercy from every evil weeks of Lent… to reach the highest good.
Teach us, Lord, to do the little things as though they were great because of the majesty of Christ.
BLAISE PASCAL
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CHRISTIAN INITIATION: one God, for ever and ever. SECOND SCRUTINY Amen.
The Mass prayers and readings below FIRST READING are for use in parishes celebrating the (1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a) Second Scrutiny. The Lord said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on ENTRANCE ANTIPHON your way. I am sending you to (Cf. Psalm 25 [24]:15-16) Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have My eyes are always on the chosen my king from among Lord, for he rescues my feet his sons.” from the snare. Turn to me As Jesse and his sons came and have mercy on me, for to the sacrifice, Samuel looked I am alone and poor. at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is here COLLECT before him.” But the Lord Almighty ever-living God, said to Samuel: “Do not judge give to your Church an from his appearance or from increase in spiritual joy, his lofty stature, because I have so that those once born rejected him. Not as man sees of earth does God see, because man may be reborn as citizens sees the appearance but the of heaven. Lord looks into the heart.” In Through our Lord Jesus the same way Jesse presented Christ, your Son, seven sons before Samuel, who lives and reigns with but Samuel said to Jesse, “The you in the unity of the Lord has not chosen any one Holy Spirit, of these.” Then Samuel asked
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Jesse, “Are these all the sons In verdant pastures you have?” Jesse replied, “There he gives me repose; is still the youngest, who is beside restful waters tending the sheep.” Samuel he leads me; said to Jesse, “Send for him; we he refreshes my soul. r∙ will not begin the sacrificial He guides me in right paths banquet until he arrives here.” for his name’s sake. Jesse sent and had the young Even though I walk in man brought to them. He was the dark valley ruddy, a youth handsome to I fear no evil; for you behold and making a splen- are at my side did appearance. The Lord with your rod and your staff said, “There—anoint him, for that give me courage. r∙ this is the one!” Then Samuel, You spread the table before me with the horn of oil in hand, in the sight of my foes; anointed David in the pres- you anoint my head with oil; ence of his brothers; and from my cup overflows. r∙ that day on, the spirit of the Only goodness and Lord rushed upon David. kindness follow me The word of the Lord. all the days of my life; Thanks be to God. and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord RESPONSORIAL PSALM for years to come. r∙ (Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6) r∙ The Lord is my shepherd; SECOND READING (Ephesians 5:8-14) there is nothing I shall want. Brothers and sisters: You were The Lord is my shepherd; once darkness, but now you I shall not want. are light in the Lord. Live as
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children of light, for light pro- GOSPEL (John 9:1-41) duces every kind of goodness For the shorter version, omit the and righteousness and truth. indented parts in brackets. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the A reading from the holy fruitless works of darkness; Gospel according to John. rather expose them, for it is Glory to you, O Lord. shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; s Jesus passed by he but everything exposed by saw a man blind from the light becomes visible, for Abirth. everything that becomes visi- [His disciples asked him, ble is light. Therefore, it says: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man “Awake, O sleeper, or his parents, that he was and arise from the dead, born blind?” Jesus answered, and Christ will give “Neither he nor his parents you light.” sinned; it is so that the works The word of the Lord. of God might be made vis- Thanks be to God. ible through him. We have to do the works of the one VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL who sent me while it is day. (John 8:12) Night is coming when no Glory and praise to you, Lord one can work. While I am Jesus Christ! I am the light of in the world, I am the light the world, says the Lord; who- of the world.” When he had ever follows me will have the said this,] light of life. Glory and praise to he spat on the ground and you, Lord Jesus Christ! made clay with the saliva, and
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 135 fLoentenurth weekdaySunday of lent smeared the clay on his eyes, Pharisees also asked him how and said to him, “Go wash in he was able to see. He said to the Pool of Siloam”—which them, “He put clay on my eyes, means Sent—. So he went and and I washed, and now I can washed, and came back able to see.” So some of the Pharisees see. said, “This man is not from His neighbors and those God, because he does not keep who had seen him earlier as the sabbath.” But others said, a beggar said, “Isn’t this the “How can a sinful man do one who used to sit and beg?” such signs?” And there was a Some said, “It is,” but others division among them. So they said, “No, he just looks like said to the blind man again, him.” He said, “I am.” “What do you have to say [So they said to him, “How about him, since he opened were your eyes opened?” your eyes?” He said, “He is a He replied, “The man prophet.” called Jesus made clay and [Now the Jews did not anointed my eyes and told believe that he had been me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ blind and gained his sight So I went there and washed until they summoned the and was able to see.” And parents of the one who had they said to him, “Where is gained his sight. They asked he?” He said, “I don’t know.”] them, “Is this your son, who They brought the one you say was born blind? who was once blind to the How does he now see?” His Pharisees. Now Jesus had parents answered and said, made clay and opened his “We know that this is our eyes on a sabbath. So then the son and that he was born
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blind. We do not know listen. Why do you want how he sees now, nor do we to hear it again? Do you know who opened his eyes. want to become his disci- Ask him, he is of age; he can ples, too?” They ridiculed speak for himself.” His par- him and said, “You are that ents said this because they man’s disciple; we are dis- were afraid of the Jews, for ciples of Moses! We know the Jews had already agreed that God spoke to Moses, that if anyone acknowl- but we do not know where edged him as the Christ, he this one is from.” The man would be expelled from the answered and said to them, synagogue. For this reason “This is what is so amaz- his parents said, “He is of ing, that you do not know age; question him.” where he is from, yet he So a second time they opened my eyes. We know called the man who had that God does not listen to been blind and said to him, sinners, but if one is devout “Give God the praise! We and does his will, he listens know that this man is a sin- to him. It is unheard of that ner.” He replied, “If he is a anyone ever opened the sinner, I do not know. One eyes of a person born blind. thing I do know is that I If this man were not from was blind and now I see.” God, he would not be able So they said to him, “What to do anything.”] did he do to you? How did They answered and said to he open your eyes?” He him, “You were born totally in answered them, “I told you sin, and are you trying to teach already and you did not us?” Then they threw him out. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 137 fLoentenurth weekdaySunday of lent
When Jesus heard that PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS they had thrown him out, he We place before you with joy found him and said, “Do you these offerings, believe in the Son of Man?” which bring eternal remedy, He answered and said, “Who O Lord, is he, sir, that I may believe in praying that we may both him?” Jesus said to him, “You faithfully revere them have seen him, the one speak- and present them to you, ing with you is he.” He said, “I as is fitting, do believe, Lord,” and he wor- for those who seek salvation. shiped him. Through Christ our Lord. [Then Jesus said, “I came Amen. into this world for judg- ment, so that those who do PREFACE: THE MAN BORN BLIND not see might see, and those It is truly right and just, who do see might become our duty and our salvation, blind.” always and everywhere to Some of the Pharisees who give you thanks, were with him heard this Lord, holy Father, almighty and said to him, “Surely we and eternal God, are not also blind, are we?” through Christ our Lord. Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have By the mystery of the no sin; but now you are Incarnation, saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin he has led the human race remains.”] that walked in darkness The Gospel of the Lord. into the radiance of the faith Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. and has brought those born
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in slavery to ancient sin graciously protect them through the waters of under your rule, regeneration and in your unfailing to make them your adopted goodness children. direct them along the way of salvation. Therefore, all creatures of Through Christ our Lord. heaven and earth Amen. sing a new song in adoration, and we, with all the host of Angels, cry out, and without end acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Love to pray— of hosts… (page 40) feel often during the COMMUNION ANTIPHON day the need for prayer, (Cf. John 9:11, 38) The Lord anointed my eyes; and take trouble to pray. I went, I washed, I saw and Ask and seek, and I believed in God. your heart will grow PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION big enough to receive Sustain your family always God and keep God in your kindness, O Lord, we pray, as your own.
correct them, set them ST. TERESA OF CALCUTTA in order,
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 139 » fourth Sunday of lent
Living with Christ This Week
We go from our PSALM RESPONSE Sunday Eucharist r∙ The Lord is my shepherd; to explore different there is nothing I shall facets of the love want. of God. The temple is described as a This week’s psalm response reminds us that the Lord will lead us through any source of salvation darkness into the light. for all. A mother’s love is a sign of GENERAL INTERCESSIONS God’s dedication to Use these intercessions with your prayers us. The plot to kill a this week. “just” person who calls for accountabil- # When God does something new in ity to God signifies our lives: the depths of the r∙ Jesus, help us to see. authorities’ hatred # When healing points to God’s for Jesus. Jesus also presence: reveals his identity r∙ as God’s Son sent # When God restores a hopeless for salvation through situation: r∙ signs of healing that # When their actions reveal who others imitate God’s work of are: giving and restoring r∙ life. ] # When persons plot to thwart God’s works: r∙
140 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us MONDAY Christ, your Son, MARCH 15 who lives and reigns with LENTEN WEEKDAY you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, The following readings may be used on one God, for ever and ever. any day this week, especially in Years B Amen. and C when the Gospel of the Man Born Blind is not read on the Fourth Sunday of READING (Isaiah 65:17-21) Lent: Micah 7:7-9; John 9:1-41 (243). Thus says the Lord: Lo, I am about to create ENTRANCE ANTIPHON new heavens (Cf. Psalm 31 [30]:7-8) and a new earth; As for me, I trust in the Lord. The things of the past shall Let me be glad and rejoice in not be remembered your mercy, for you have seen or come to mind. my affliction. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness COLLECT in what I create; O God, who renew the world For I create Jerusalem through mysteries beyond to be a joy all telling, and its people to grant, we pray, be a delight; that your Church may be I will rejoice in Jerusalem guided by your eternal and exult in my people. design No longer shall the sound of and not be deprived of your weeping be heard there, help in this present age. or the sound of crying; Through our Lord Jesus No longer shall there be in it livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 141 Lenten weekday
an infant who lives down into the pit. r∙ but a few days, Sing praise to the Lord, or an old man who does you his faithful ones, not round out his and give thanks to full lifetime; his holy name. He dies a mere youth who For his anger lasts reaches but a but a moment; hundred years, a lifetime, his good will. and he who fails of a At nightfall, weeping hundred shall be enters in, thought accursed. but with the dawn, They shall live in the rejoicing. r∙ houses they build, “Hear, O Lord, and have pity and eat the fruit of the on me; vineyards they plant. O Lord, be my helper.” You changed my mourning RESPONSORIAL PSALM into dancing; (Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12a, 13b) O Lord, my God, forever r∙ I will praise you, Lord, will I give you thanks. r∙ for you have rescued me. I will extol you, O Lord, VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL for you drew me clear (Amos 5:14) and did not let my Glory and praise to you, Lord enemies rejoice over me. Jesus Christ! Seek good and O Lord, you brought me not evil so that you may live, up from the nether world; and the Lord will be with you preserved me from you. Glory and praise to you, Lord among those going Jesus Christ!
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GOSPEL (John 4:43-54) Then he returned to Cana t that time Jesus left in Galilee, where he had made [Samaria] for Galilee. the water wine. Now there was AFor Jesus himself tes- a royal official whose son was tified that a prophet has no ill in Capernaum. When he honor in his native place. heard that Jesus had arrived in When he came into Galilee, Galilee from Judea, he went to the Galileans welcomed him, him and asked him to come since they had seen all he had down and heal his son, who done in Jerusalem at the feast; was near death. Jesus said to for they themselves had gone him, “Unless you people see to the feast. signs and wonders, you will
“The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to mind. Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happiness in what I create” (Isaiah 65:17-18). » My young adult daughter has of late been coming up against the paradox and pain of choices. She took up one opportunity with many positive aspects and is mostly glad about it. But taking this path means leaving another one behind. She is further away from family and living in a completely new situation. It’s what we all face in our journeys: Joy in saying “yes” to one path usually brings sorrow as we say “no” to all the others, known and unknown. I take solace for her, myself, and all of us in the promise that God awaits all of us at the end of all of these paths with a single all- embracing, joyful, and unconflicted “yes.” AMY WELBORN
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 143 Lenten weekday not believe.” The royal official from old earthly ways said to him, “Sir, come down and be renewed by growth in before my child dies.” Jesus said heavenly life. to him, “You may go; your son Through Christ our Lord. will live.” The man believed Amen. what Jesus said to him and left. While the man was on his way COMMUNION ANTIPHON back, his slaves met him and (Ezekiel 36:27) told him that his boy would I will place my spirit within live. He asked them when he you and make you walk began to recover. They told according to my laws; and him, “The fever left him yes- my judgments you shall keep terday, about one in the after- and observe, says the Lord. noon.” The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION to him, “Your son will live,” May your holy gifts, O Lord, and he and his whole house- we pray, hold came to believe. Now give us life by making us new, this was the second sign Jesus and, by sanctifying us, did when he came to Galilee lead us to things eternal. from Judea. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS May we receive, O Lord, PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) we pray, Renew your people within the effects of this offering and without, O Lord, dedicated to you, and, since it is your will so that we may be cleansed that they be unhindered by
144 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us bodily delights, TUESDAY give them, we pray, MARCH 16 perseverance in their spiritual LENTEN WEEKDAY intent. Through Christ our Lord. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Amen. (Cf. Isaiah 55:1) All who are thirsty, come to the waters, says the Lord. RESPONDING TO THE WORD Though you have no money, Jesus is able to heal even from far come and drink with joy. away. $ What healing do I ask for today? COLLECT Jesus, please heal me… May the venerable exercises of holy devotion shape the hearts of your faithful, O Lord, Thanks, thanks be to welcome worthily the to you, Eternal Father! Paschal Mystery I am imperfect and and proclaim the praises of your salvation. full of darkness, but you, Through our Lord Jesus perfection and light, Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with have shown me you in the unity of the to perfection and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. way of your Son. Amen. ST. CATHERINE OF SIENA
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READING (Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12) up to my waist. Once more he The angel brought me, measured off a thousand, but Ezekiel, back to the entrance there was now a river through of the temple of the Lord, which I could not wade; for and I saw water flowing out the water had risen so high from beneath the threshold it had become a river that of the temple toward the east, could not be crossed except for the façade of the temple by swimming. He asked me, was toward the east; the water “Have you seen this, son of flowed down from the right man?” Then he brought me side of the temple, south of to the bank of the river, where the altar. He led me outside he had me sit. Along the bank by the north gate, and around of the river I saw very many to the outer gate facing the trees on both sides. He said to east, where I saw water trick- me, “This water flows into the ling from the right side. Then eastern district down upon when he had walked off to the the Arabah, and empties into east with a measuring cord the sea, the salt waters, which in his hand, he measured off it makes fresh. Wherever the a thousand cubits and had river flows, every sort of liv- me wade through the water, ing creature that can multi- which was ankle-deep. He ply shall live, and there shall measured off another thou- be abundant fish, for wherever sand and once more had me this water comes the sea shall wade through the water, which be made fresh. Along both was now knee-deep. Again he banks of the river, fruit trees measured off a thousand and of every kind shall grow; their had me wade; the water was leaves shall not fade, nor their
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fruit fail. Every month they The Lord of hosts is with us; shall bear fresh fruit, for they our stronghold is the shall be watered by the flow God of Jacob. from the sanctuary. Their fruit Come! behold the deeds shall serve for food, and their of the Lord, leaves for medicine.” the astounding things he has wrought on earth. r∙ RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9) VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL r∙ The Lord of hosts is with us; (Psalm 51:12a, 14a) our stronghold is the God of Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, Jacob. King of endless glory. A clean God is our refuge and heart create for me, O God; our strength, give me back the joy of your an ever-present help salvation. Praise to you, Lord in distress. Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. Therefore we fear not, though the earth be shaken GOSPEL (John 5:1-16) and mountains plunge into here was a feast of the the depths of the sea. r∙ Jews, and Jesus went There is a stream whose runlets Tup to Jerusalem. Now gladden the city of God, there is in Jerusalem at the the holy dwelling of the Sheep Gate a pool called in Most High. Hebrew Bethesda, with five God is in its midst; it shall not porticoes. In these lay a large be disturbed; number of ill, blind, lame, God will help it at the and crippled. One man was break of dawn. r∙ there who had been ill for
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 147 Lenten weekday thirty-eight years. When Jesus “Rise, take up your mat, and saw him lying there and knew walk.” Immediately the man that he had been ill for a long became well, took up his mat, time, he said to him, “Do you and walked. want to be well?” The sick man Now that day was a sab- answered him, “Sir, I have no bath. So the Jews said to the one to put me into the pool man who was cured, “It is the when the water is stirred up; sabbath, and it is not lawful while I am on my way, some- for you to carry your mat.” one else gets down there He answered them, “The man before me.” Jesus said to him, who made me well told me,
“Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). » This is not an easy question to answer. We all know people who seem to cherish their afflictions. And I don’t mean just physical afflictions. I mean the other afflictions that cause us to confess nearly the same sin time after time: chronic tardiness, anger, procrastination, laziness, overindulgence in food or drink. At first, I imagine we all would say, “Yes! I want to be well!” But I wonder if we really mean it. Some have suggested that losing our sins might just cause us to lose our gifts, as they may grow from the same root. As you prepare for confession in this Lenten season, ask what gifts might be entangled in the sins you find within yourself—and what gifts might be rooted in sins you have not even recognized. Then, when asked if you want to be forgiven, to be well, you can say yes to just enough healing that the gift outshines the sin. AILEEN O’DONOGHUE
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‘Take up your mat and walk.’ ” Through Christ our Lord. They asked him, “Who is the Amen. man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” The man who was COMMUNION ANTIPHON healed did not know who it (Cf. Psalm 23 [22]:1-2) was, for Jesus had slipped away, The Lord is my shepherd; since there was a crowd there. there is nothing I shall want. After this Jesus found him Fresh and green are the in the temple area and said pastures where he gives me to him, “Look, you are well; repose, near restful waters he do not sin any more, so that leads me. nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went and told PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION the Jews that Jesus was the Purify our minds, O Lord, one who had made him well. we pray, Therefore, the Jews began to and renew them with this persecute Jesus because he did heavenly Sacrament, this on a sabbath. that we may find help for our bodies PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS now and likewise in times We offer to you, O Lord, to come. these gifts which you yourself Through Christ our Lord. have bestowed; Amen. may they attest to your care as Creator PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) for this our mortal life, Grant, O merciful God, and effect in us the healing that your people may remain that brings us immortality. always devoted to you livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 149 and may constantly receive WEDNESDAY from your kindness MARCH 17 whatever is for their good. LENTEN WEEKDAY Through Christ our Lord. Amen. [ St. Patrick, bishop (c. 389-c. 461) ] Patrick, the Apostle of Ireland, tells his story in his Confession. He RESPONDING TO THE WORD was kidnapped by pirates and tak- Jesus wants to heal us if only we en to Ireland as a slave, but after “want to be well.” six years he escaped, returned to $ What healing would I ask for Britain, and eventually became a today? priest. Pope Celestine sent him to Jesus, heal me… evangelize the Irish. Although he was constantly at risk from hostile pagans, by the time of his death, a native clergy was in place and Whatever will come Christianity had reached nearly all my way, whether good or of Ireland. Like him, may we see bad, may I accept it calmly in our adversity an opportunity for witnessing to Christ. ] and always give thanks to God, who has ever shown ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Psalm 69 [68]:14) me how I should believe I pray to you, O Lord, for a in God, unfailing and time of your favor. In your great mercy, answer me, without end. O God, with your salvation ST. PATRICK that never fails.
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COLLECT To restore the land O God, who reward the and allot the desolate merits of the just heritages, and offer pardon to sinners Saying to the prisoners: who do penance, Come out! have mercy, we pray, on those To those in darkness: who call upon you, Show yourselves! that the admission of our Along the ways they shall guilt find pasture, may serve to obtain your on every bare height shall pardon for our sins. their pastures be. Through our Lord Jesus They shall not hunger Christ, your Son, or thirst, who lives and reigns with nor shall the scorching you in the unity of the wind or the sun Holy Spirit, strike them; one God, for ever and ever. For he who pities them Amen. leads them and guides them beside READING (Isaiah 49:8-15) springs of water. Thus says the Lord: I will cut a road through In a time of favor all my mountains, I answer you, and make my on the day of salvation highways level. I help you; See, some shall come and I have kept you and from afar, given you as a covenant others from the north to the people, and the west, livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 151 Lenten weekday
and some from the of great kindness. land of Syene. The Lord is good to all Sing out, O heavens, and and compassionate toward rejoice, O earth, all his works. r∙ break forth into song, The Lord is faithful in all you mountains. his words For the Lord comforts and holy in all his works. his people The Lord lifts up all who and shows mercy are falling to his afflicted. and raises up all who are bowed down. r∙ But Zion said, “The Lord The Lord is just in all has forsaken me; his ways my Lord has forgotten me.” and holy in all his works. Can a mother forget The Lord is near to all her infant, who call upon him, be without tenderness for to all who call upon the child of her womb? him in truth. r∙ Even should she forget, I will never forget you. VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL (John 11:25a, 26) RESPONSORIAL PSALM Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, (Psalm 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18) King of endless glory! I am the r∙ The Lord is gracious and resurrection and the life, says merciful. the Lord; whoever believes in The Lord is gracious me will never die. Praise to you, and merciful, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless slow to anger and glory!
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GOSPEL (John 5:17-30) thing on his own, but only esus answered the Jews: what he sees the Father doing; “My Father is at work for what he does, the Son will Juntil now, so I am at work.” do also. For the Father loves the For this reason they tried all Son and shows him everything the more to kill him, because that he himself does, and he he not only broke the sabbath will show him greater works but he also called God his than these, so that you may be own father, making himself amazed. For just as the Father equal to God. raises the dead and gives life, Jesus answered and said to so also does the Son give life them, “Amen, amen, I say to to whomever he wishes. Nor you, the Son cannot do any- does the Father judge anyone,
On a warm summer day many years ago, our then three-year-old daughter was “helping” her dad install a new swing set in the backyard. As the afternoon progressed and the temperature rose, my husband removed his shirt. Within seconds, our little daughter imitated her dad and stood shirtless next to him. After all these years, the memory still makes us laugh. For better or worse, we all have stories of our children mimicking our words and actions. So, when Jesus says he is only doing what he sees his father doing, we should be filled with joy. The God we once thought was a distant deity wielding power over us is really a compassionate community of love desiring our wholeness so that we might love one another. TERRI MIFEK
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 153 Lenten weekday but he has given all judgment done good deeds to the resur- to the Son, so that all may rection of life, but those who honor the Son just as they have done wicked deeds to the honor the Father. Whoever resurrection of condemnation. does not honor the Son does “I cannot do anything on not honor the Father who sent my own; I judge as I hear, and him. Amen, amen, I say to you, my judgment is just, because whoever hears my word and I do not seek my own will believes in the one who sent but the will of the one who me has eternal life and will sent me.” not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS life. Amen, amen, I say to you, May the power of this the hour is coming and is now sacrifice, O Lord, we pray, here when the dead will hear mercifully wipe away what is the voice of the Son of God, old in us, and those who hear will live. and increase in us grace of For just as the Father has life salvation and newness of in himself, so also he gave to life. the Son the possession of life Through Christ our Lord. in himself. And he gave him Amen. power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man. COMMUNION ANTIPHON (John 3:17) Do not be amazed at this, God did not send his Son because the hour is coming into the world to judge the in which all who are in the world, but that the world tombs will hear his voice and might be saved through him. will come out, those who have
154 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION THURSDAY May your heavenly gifts, MARCH 18 O Lord, we pray, LENTEN WEEKDAY which you bestow as a heavenly remedy on your people, [ St. Cyril of Jerusalem, bishop not bring judgment to those & doctor of the Church (315-387) ] Cyril who receive them. became a biblical scholar, a cleric Through Christ our Lord. in the Church of Jerusalem, and Amen. eventually bishop of Jerusalem. He was embroiled in the political and PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) doctrinal controversies following May your servants be the Nicene Council and defend- shielded, O Lord, ed the Nicene Creed against the by the protection of your Arians. His twenty-four surviving loving-kindness, homilies summarize the beliefs that, doing what is good in and the theological traditions of this world, the Jerusalem community. May they may reach you, we learn from him that, having their highest good. “entered on a good and most glori- Through Christ our Lord. ous path,” we must “run with rev- Amen. erence the race of godliness.” ]
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON RESPONDING TO THE WORD (Cf. Psalm 105 [104]:3-4) Jesus imitates what God is doing. Let the hearts that seek the $ How might I imitate God’s Lord rejoice; turn to the Lord generosity and love today? and his strength; constantly Jesus, today I will… seek his face. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 155 Lenten weekday
COLLECT a molten calf and worship- We invoke your mercy in ing it, sacrificing to it and cry- humble prayer, O Lord, ing out, ‘This is your God, O that you may cause us, your Israel, who brought you out of servants, the land of Egypt!’ The Lord corrected by penance and said to Moses, “I see how stiff- schooled by good works, necked this people is. Let me to persevere sincerely in your alone, then, that my wrath commands may blaze up against them to and come safely to the consume them. Then I will paschal festivities. make of you a great nation.” Through our Lord Jesus But Moses implored the Christ, your Son, Lord, his God, saying, “Why, who lives and reigns with O Lord, should your wrath you in the unity of the blaze up against your own Holy Spirit, people, whom you brought one God, for ever and ever. out of the land of Egypt with Amen. such great power and with so strong a hand? Why should READING (Exodus 32:7-14) the Egyptians say, ‘With evil The Lord said to Moses, “Go intent he brought them out, down at once to your peo- that he might kill them in the ple whom you brought out mountains and exterminate of the land of Egypt, for they them from the face of the have become depraved. They earth’? Let your blazing wrath have soon turned aside from die down; relent in punishing the way I pointed out to your people. Remember your them, making for themselves servants Abraham, Isaac and
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Israel, and how you swore to terrible things at them by your own self, say- the Red Sea. r∙ ing, ‘I will make your descen- Then he spoke of dants as numerous as the stars exterminating them, in the sky; and all this land but Moses, his chosen one, that I promised, I will give Withstood him in the breach your descendants as their per- to turn back his destructive petual heritage.’ ” So the Lord wrath. r∙ relented in the punishment he had threatened to inflict on VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL his people. (John 3:16) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, RESPONSORIAL PSALM King of endless glory! God so (Psalm 106:19-20, 21-22, 23) loved the world that he gave r∙ Remember us, O Lord, his only-begotten Son, so that as you favor your people. everyone who believes in him Our fathers made a calf might have eternal life. Praise in Horeb to you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of and adored a molten image; endless glory! They exchanged their glory for the image of a GOSPEL (John 5:31-47) grass-eating bullock. r∙ esus said to the Jews: “If They forgot the God I testify on my own behalf, who had saved them, Jmy testimony is not true. who had done great But there is another who testi- deeds in Egypt, fies on my behalf, and I know Wondrous deeds in the that the testimony he gives land of Ham, on my behalf is true. You sent livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 157 Lenten weekday emissaries to John, and he tes- to accomplish, these works tified to the truth. I do not that I perform testify on my accept human testimony, but behalf that the Father has sent I say this so that you may be me. Moreover, the Father who saved. He was a burning and sent me has testified on my shining lamp, and for a while behalf. But you have never you were content to rejoice heard his voice nor seen his in his light. But I have testi- form, and you do not have mony greater than John’s. The his word remaining in you, works that the Father gave me because you do not believe in
“You search the Scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf” (John 5:39). » Creation indirectly reveals to us an awesome and benevolent Creator. God surely intended creation to lead men and women to some firm knowledge of divine reality and to tell them of the boundless generosity and benevolence of the Creator. But creation as a channel of communication was not enough for the God of love. God wanted something more intimate, more personal. So writers were inspired to communicate the very words revealing the intimate thoughts and desires of God’s heart. God seems to say to us in recorded words and deeds: “Over and beyond all of this wondrous creation, search the Scriptures. They testify amply on my behalf. They tell of my tender, maternal love for you. They tell of my self-sacrificing love for you, of my longing to be one with you in love.” ABBOT M. BASIL PENNINGTON, O.C.S.O.
158 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 18 ] Thursday the one whom he has sent. You writings, how will you believe search the Scriptures, because my words?” you think you have eternal life through them; even they PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS testify on my behalf. But you Grant, we pray, almighty God, do not want to come to me to that what we offer in sacrifice have life. may cleanse us in our frailty “I do not accept human from every evil praise; moreover, I know and always grant us your that you do not have the protection. love of God in you. I came Through Christ our Lord. in the name of my Father, Amen. but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his COMMUNION ANTIPHON own name, you will accept (Jeremiah 31:33) him. How can you believe, I will place my law within when you accept praise from them, and I will write it upon one another and do not seek their hearts; and I will be the praise that comes from their God, and they shall be the only God? Do not think my people, says the Lord. that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION accuse you is Moses, in whom May this Sacrament we have you have placed your hope. received purify us, we pray, For if you had believed Moses, O Lord, you would have believed me, and grant your servants because he wrote about me. freedom from all blame, But if you do not believe his that those bound by a guilty livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 159 conscience FRIDAY may glory in the fullness of MARCH 19 heavenly remedy. ST. JOSEPH, SPOUSE OF THE Through Christ our Lord. BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Amen. According to the gospels, Joseph PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) was a skilled craftsman and a O God, protector of all descendant of who hope in you, King David. bless your people, keep them Matthew’s safe, infancy narra- defend them, prepare them, tive in partic- that, free from sin and safe ular focuses on from the enemy, Joseph’s dilemma. they may persevere always in Embarrassed by Mary’s preg- your love. nancy with a child that is not his, Through Christ our Lord. Joseph decided to quietly dissolve Amen. their marriage contract. But he is told in a dream to take Mary as his wife and make her child his RESPONDING TO THE WORD own, and so he became the earth- Jesus reminds us that our actions ly father of Jesus. His feast has tell others who we are. been observed on this day since $ What do my actions reveal the tenth century. ] about my desire to be changed this Lent? ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Jesus, help me… (Cf. Luke 12:42) Behold, a faithful and
160 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 19 ] Friday prudent steward, whom the ancestors, I will raise up your Lord set over his household. heir after you, sprung from your loins, and I will make GLORY TO GOD (page 29) his kingdom firm. It is he who shall build a house for COLLECT my name. And I will make Grant, we pray, almighty God, his royal throne firm forever. that by Saint Joseph’s I will be a father to him, and intercession he shall be a son to me. Your your Church may constantly house and your kingdom shall watch over endure forever before me; the unfolding of the mysteries your throne shall stand firm of human salvation, forever.’ ” whose beginnings you entrusted to his faithful care. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Through our Lord Jesus (Psalm 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29) Christ, your Son, r∙ The son of David will live who lives and reigns with forever. you in the unity of the The promises of the Lord Holy Spirit, I will sing forever, one God, for ever and ever. through all generations Amen. my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness, READING (2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16) For you have said, “My kind- The Lord spoke to Nathan ness is established forever”; and said: “Go, tell my ser- in heaven you have vant David, ‘When your time confirmed your comes and you rest with your faithfulness. r∙ livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 161 St. Joseph, spouse of the blessed virgin Mary
“I have made a covenant depends on faith, so that it with my chosen one; may be a gift, and the prom- I have sworn to ise may be guaranteed to all David my servant: his descendants, not to those Forever will I confirm who only adhere to the law your posterity but to those who follow the and establish your throne faith of Abraham, who is the for all generations.” father of all of us, as it is writ- r∙ The son of David will live ten, I have made you father of forever. many nations. He is our father “He shall say of me, in the sight of God, in whom ‘You are my father, he believed, who gives life my God, the Rock to the dead and calls into my savior!’ being what does not exist. He Forever I will maintain my believed, hoping against hope, kindness toward him, that he would become the my covenant with him father of many nations, accord- stands firm.” r∙ ing to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be. That SECOND READING is why it was credited to him as (Romans 4:13, 16-18, 22) righteousness. Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the prom- VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL ise was made to Abraham and (Psalm 84:5) his descendants that he would Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, inherit the world, but through King of endless glory! Blessed the righteousness that comes are those who dwell in your from faith. For this reason, it house, O Lord, they never
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cease to praise you. Praise to it is through the Holy Spirit you, Lord Jesus Christ, King of that this child has been con- endless glory! ceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him An alternate reading follows. Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” When GOSPEL (Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a) Joseph awoke, he did as the acob was the father of angel of the Lord had com- Joseph, the husband of manded him and took his JMary. Of her was born wife into his home. Jesus who is called the Christ. Now this is how the birth OR of Jesus Christ came about. GOSPEL (Luke 2:41-51a) When his mother Mary was ach year Jesus’ parents betrothed to Joseph, but went to Jerusalem for before they lived together, she Ethe feast of Passover, was found with child through and when he was twelve years the Holy Spirit. Joseph her old, they went up according husband, since he was a righ- to festival custom. After they teous man, yet unwilling to had completed its days, as expose her to shame, decided they were returning, the boy to divorce her quietly. Such Jesus remained behind in was his intention when, Jerusalem, but his parents did behold, the angel of the Lord not know it. Thinking that he appeared to him in a dream was in the caravan, they jour- and said, “Joseph, son of David, neyed for a day and looked do not be afraid to take Mary for him among their relatives your wife into your home. For and acquaintances, but not
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 163 St. Joseph, spouse of the blessed virgin Mary finding him, they returned this to us? Your father and I to Jerusalem to look for him. have been looking for you After three days they found with great anxiety.” And he him in the temple, sitting in said to them, “Why were you the midst of the teachers, lis- looking for me? Did you not tening to them and asking know that I must be in my them questions, and all who Father’s house?” But they did heard him were astounded not understand what he said at his understanding and his to them. He went down with answers. When his parents them and came to Nazareth, saw him, they were aston- and was obedient to them. ished, and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you done PROFESSION OF FAITH (page 30)
Upon hearing the news, my youngest son commented, “I find this disturbing. I’m too young to be an uncle.” The next-older son couldn’t believe it either, but in an overjoyed kind of way. And I said, “Me? A grandmother?” In the months since, we’ve all adjusted, my even-older son and his wife most of all, of course. St. Joseph walked a similar path, and so he accompanies us on ours. When we find ourselves in a puzzling new place that challenges our sense of ourselves, we can look to him. Along with him, we can listen carefully, hear God’s voice, see God's hand, and let God take away our fear. With St. Joseph as our guide, we can step forward, shake off the past and embrace who we are called to be now—and do so with joy. St. Joseph, pray for us, that we might not be afraid. AMY WELBORN
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PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS as spouse to the Virgin We pray, O Lord, Mother of God that, just as Saint Joseph and set as a wise and faithful served with loving care servant your Only Begotten Son, in charge of your household born of the Virgin Mary, to watch like a father over so we may be worthy to your Only Begotten Son, minister who was conceived by the with a pure heart at your overshadowing of the altar. Holy Spirit, Through Christ our Lord. our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Through him the Angels PREFACE: praise your majesty, THE MISSION OF SAINT JOSEPH Dominions adore and Powers It is truly right and just, tremble before you. our duty and our salvation, Heaven and the Virtues of always and everywhere to heaven and the blessed give you thanks, Seraphim Lord, holy Father, almighty worship together with and eternal God, exultation. and on the Solemnity of May our voices, we pray, Saint Joseph join with theirs to give you fitting praise, in humble praise, as we to glorify you and bless you. acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God For this just man was given of hosts… (page 40) by you livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 165 COMMUNION ANTIPHON SATURDAY (Matthew 25:21) MARCH 20 Well done, good and faithful LENTEN WEEKDAY servant. Come, share your master’s joy. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 18 [17]:5, 7) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION The waves of death rose Defend with unfailing about me; the pains of the protection, netherworld surrounded me. O Lord, we pray, In my anguish I called to the family you have the Lord, and from his holy nourished temple he heard my voice. with food from this altar, as they rejoice at the COLLECT Solemnity of Saint Joseph, May the working of your and graciously keep safe mercy, O Lord, we pray, your gifts among them. direct our hearts aright, Through Christ our Lord. for without your grace Amen. we cannot find favor in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus RESPONDING TO THE WORD Christ, your Son, Joseph cared for and protected who lives and reigns with Mary and Jesus. you in the unity of the $ Whom has God entrusted to Holy Spirit, my care and protection? one God, for ever and ever. Jesus, I will care for… Amen.
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READING (Jeremiah 11:18-20) I take refuge; I knew their plot because the save me from all my Lord informed me; at that pursuers and rescue me, time you, O Lord, showed me Lest I become like their doings. the lion’s prey, Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to be torn to pieces, with to slaughter, had not realized no one to rescue me. r∙ that they were hatching plots Do me justice, O Lord, against me: “Let us destroy the because I am just, tree in its vigor; let us cut him and because of the off from the land of the living, innocence that is mine. so that his name will be spo- Let the malice of the wicked ken no more.” come to an end, But, you, O Lord of hosts, but sustain the just, O just Judge, O searcher of heart and searcher of mind soul, O just God. r∙ and heart, A shield before me is God, Let me witness the who saves the upright vengeance you of heart; take on them, A just judge is God, for to you I have a God who punishes entrusted my cause! day by day. r∙
RESPONSORIAL PSALM VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL (Psalm 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12) (See Luke 8:15) r∙ O Lord, my God, in you I take Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, refuge. King of endless glory! Blessed are O Lord, my God, in you they who have kept the word livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 167 Lenten weekday
with a generous heart and before has anyone spoken like yield a harvest through perse- this man.” So the Pharisees verance. Praise to you, Lord Jesus answered them, “Have you Christ, King of endless glory! also been deceived? Have any of the authorities or GOSPEL (John 7:40-53) the Pharisees believed in ome in the crowd who him? But this crowd, which heard these words of does not know the law, is SJesus said, “This is truly accursed.” Nicodemus, one the Prophet.” Others said, of their members who had “This is the Christ.” But oth- come to him earlier, said to ers said, “The Christ will them, “Does our law con- not come from Galilee, will demn a man before it first he? Does not Scripture say hears him and finds out what that the Christ will be of he is doing?” They answered David’s family and come and said to him, “You are not from Bethlehem, the village from Galilee also, are you? where David lived?” So a divi- Look and see that no prophet sion occurred in the crowd arises from Galilee.” because of him. Some of Then each went to his own them even wanted to arrest house. him, but no one laid hands on him. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS So the guards went to the Be pleased, O Lord, we pray, chief priests and Pharisees, with these oblations you who asked them, “Why did receive from our hands, you not bring him?” The and, even when our wills are guards answered, “Never defiant,
168 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 20 ] Saturday constrain them mercifully to PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION turn to you. May your holy gifts purify us, Through Christ our Lord. O Lord, we pray, Amen. and by their working render us fully pleasing to you. COMMUNION ANTIPHON Through Christ our Lord. (Cf. 1 Peter 1:18-19) Amen. By the precious Blood of Christ, the Blood of a spotless PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) and unblemished Lamb, we Look upon your people, have been redeemed. O Lord,
“So a division occurred in the crowd because of him” (John 7:43). » A friend who lives in a religious community once told me that some of the most heated conflicts that arise in the group involve issues like how to decorate the Christmas tree and what types of food to fast from in Lent. In all honesty, I was a little relieved to hear that the members of a community I respect and admire were just as capable as I of placing so much importance on minor issues. I also find it reassuring that even when Jesus walked the earth, there was considerable debate among the religious authorities and the people about his mission and identity. In light of that, we shouldn’t be surprised or discouraged when disputes both substantial and trivial occur in our day. When all is said and done, what is of utmost importance is that we honestly pray for an open and humble heart as we try to live our lives in greater faith, hope, and love. TERRI MIFEK
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 169 Lenten weekday and, as they draw near to the coming festivities, In these Lenten bestow upon them days, let us add abundance of heavenly grace, something beyond that, helped by the consolations of this world, the usual measure they may be impelled more of our service, such as readily towards higher goods that private prayers and cannot be seen. Through Christ our Lord. abstinence in food Amen. and drink. Let each one of us, over and RESPONDING TO THE WORD The guards in today’s gospel expe- above the measure rienced the power of Jesus’ person prescribed, offer and his words. $ Which words of Jesus have God something been most powerful for me this Lent? of our free will Jesus, help me to hear… in the joy of the Holy Spirit. THE RULE OF ST. BENEDICT
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Today in Focus MARCH 21 » FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT Share in the glory
Acknowledgment, openness, and acceptance of what God wants of us are central to what it means to be a Christian. Our Lenten prayer and fasting give us the strength to remain open to understanding what God wants of us, acknowledging God’s purifying grace that will wash us thoroughly from our iniquity and cleanse us from our sin. Through this willingness to be ever open to God’s call, we enter into a new covenant and a new life, one in which God is our guarantor. It is only when we allow God to write in our hearts what is being asked of us that our covenant with God is assured. In the Annunciation (which we commemorate later this week), Mary gives us a magnificent example of acknowledging God’s invitation, opening her heart and accepting what she is being called to do. Our response, like Mary’s, must be unreserved and unconditional. We must die to ourselves and be open to God’s word. ] jack panozzo
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Sunday, March 21
Parishes engaged in the Rite of with which, out of love for Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) the world, may celebrate the Third Scrutiny your Son handed himself today (see page 177). over to death. Through our Lord Jesus ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Christ, your Son, (Cf. Psalm 43 [42]:1-2) who lives and reigns with Give me justice, O God, and you in the unity of the plead my cause against a Holy Spirit, nation that is faithless. From one God, for ever and ever. the deceitful and cunning Amen. rescue me, for you, O God, are my strength. These are the readings for Year B. The readings for Year A may also INTRODUCTORY RITES (page 27) be used.
COLLECT FIRST READING (Jeremiah 31:31-34) By your help, we beseech you, The days are coming, says the Lord our God, Lord, when I will make a new may we walk eagerly in that covenant with the house of same charity Israel and the house of Judah.
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It will not be like the covenant Have mercy on me, O God, I made with their fathers the in your goodness; day I took them by the hand to in the greatness of lead them forth from the land your compassion of Egypt; for they broke my wipe out my offense. covenant, and I had to show Thoroughly wash me myself their master, says the from my guilt Lord. But this is the covenant and of my sin cleanse me. r∙ that I will make with the house A clean heart create for me, of Israel after those days, says O God, the Lord. I will place my law and a steadfast spirit within them and write it upon renew within me. their hearts; I will be their God, Cast me not out from and they shall be my people. your presence, No longer will they have need and your Holy Spirit to teach their friends and rel- take not from me. r∙ atives how to know the Lord. Give me back the joy All, from least to greatest, shall of your salvation, know me, says the Lord, for I and a willing spirit will forgive their evildoing and sustain in me. remember their sin no more. I will teach transgressors The word of the Lord. your ways, Thanks be to God. and sinners shall return to you. r∙ RESPONSORIAL PSALM (Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 14-15) SECOND READING (Hebrews 5:7-9) r∙ Create a clean heart in me, In the days when Christ Jesus O God. was in the flesh, he offered livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 173 FiLentenfth Su weekdaynday of Lent prayers and supplications ome Greeks who had with loud cries and tears to come to worship at the the one who was able to save SPassover Feast came to him from death, and he was Philip, who was from Bethsaida heard because of his reverence. in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, Son though he was, he learned we would like to see Jesus.” obedience from what he suf- Philip went and told Andrew; fered; and when he was made then Andrew and Philip went perfect, he became the source and told Jesus. Jesus answered of eternal salvation for all who them, “The hour has come for obey him. the Son of Man to be glori- The word of the Lord. fied. Amen,$ amen, I say to Thanks be to God. you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL remains just a grain of wheat; (John 12:26) but if it dies, it produces much Glory and praise to you, Lord fruit. Whoever loves his life Jesus Christ! Whoever serves loses it, and whoever hates his me must follow me, says the life in this world will preserve Lord; and where I am, there it for eternal life. Whoever also will my servant be. Glory serves me must follow me, and praise to you, Lord Jesus and where I am, there also will Christ! my servant be. The Father will honor whoever serves me. GOSPEL (John 12:20-33) “I am troubled now. Yet A reading from the holy what should I say? ‘Father, save Gospel according to John. me from this hour’? But it was Glory to you, O Lord. for this purpose that I came to
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$ Amen “Amen” is a Hebrew word that affirms what has been said—“It is true!” It appears often throughout the Bible both in normal speech and in prayer whenever people want to signal their acceptance and affirma- tion. So it is used at Mass as the people’s affirmation of what the priest has prayed in their name. In the gospels, Jesus often begins his teaching with the phrase “Amen, I say to you” to emphasize the importance of what follows. And in John’s gospel, when Jesus wants to really stress the importance of what he is about to say, he uses the curious double “Amen, amen” to invite his audience to pay close attention to his message. this hour. Father, glorify your He said this indicating the name.” Then a voice came kind of death he would die. from heaven, “I have glorified The Gospel of the Lord. it and will glorify it again.” The Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. crowd there heard it and said it was thunder; but others said, PROFESSION OF FAITH (page 30) “An angel has spoken to him.” Jesus answered and said, “This PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL voice did not come for my sake but for yours. Now is the time PREPARATION OF GIFTS (page 32) of judgment on this world; now the ruler of this world PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS will be driven out. And when Hear us, almighty God, I am lifted up from the earth, I and, having instilled in your will draw everyone to myself.” servants livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 175 FiLentenfth Su weekdaynday of Lent the teachings of the Christian who long for the gift of your faith, mercy, graciously purify them and grant that what, at your by the working of this sacrifice. prompting, they desire Through Christ our Lord. they may receive by your Amen. generous gift. Through Christ our Lord. PREFACE (Lent I-II, page 33) Amen.
COMMUNION ANTIPHON (John 12:24) DISMISSAL (page 56) Amen, amen I say to you: Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it RESPONDING TO THE WORD remains a single grain. But if Jesus’ suffering led to a deeper it dies, it bears much fruit. relationship with God. $ How has my suffering helped PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION me to discover new dimen- We pray, almighty God, sions of God’s love? that we may always be Jesus, be with me… counted among the members of Christ, SAYING AMEN in whose Body and Blood In the Collect, we ask that we may we have communion. “walk eagerly in that same charity” Who lives and reigns for ever and love with which Jesus “handed and ever. Amen. himself over to death.” $ How am I walking eagerly PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE toward this cross? What holds Bless, O Lord, your people, me back? Father, help me…
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CHRISTIAN INITIATION: you in the unity of the THIRD SCRUTINY Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. The Mass prayers and readings below Amen. are for use in parishes celebrating the Third Scrutiny. FIRST READING (Ezekiel 37:12-14) Thus says the Lord God: O my ENTRANCE ANTIPHON people, I will open your graves (Cf. Psalm 18 [17]:5-7) and have you rise from them, The waves of death rose and bring you back to the land about me; the pains of the of Israel. Then you shall know netherworld surrounded me. that I am the Lord, when I In my anguish I called to open your graves and have you the Lord; and from his holy rise from them, O my people! temple he heard my voice. I will put my spirit in you that you may live, and I will set- COLLECT tle you upon your land; thus Grant, O Lord, to these you shall know that I am the chosen ones Lord. I have promised, and I that, instructed in the holy will do it, says the Lord. mysteries, The word of the Lord. they may receive new life at Thanks be to God. the font of Baptism and be numbered among the RESPONSORIAL PSALM members of your Church. (Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8) Through our Lord Jesus r∙ With the Lord there is mercy Christ, your Son, and fullness of redemption. who lives and reigns with Out of the depths I cry
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to you, O Lord; you are in the spirit, if only Lord, hear my voice! the Spirit of God dwells in Let your ears be attentive you. Whoever does not have to my voice in supplication. the Spirit of Christ does not r∙ With the Lord there is mercy belong to him. But if Christ and fullness of redemption. is in you, although the body If you, O Lord, mark is dead because of sin, the iniquities, spirit is alive because of righ- Lord, who can stand? teousness. If the Spirit of the But with you is forgiveness, One who raised Jesus from that you may be revered. r∙ the dead dwells in you, the I trust in the Lord; One who raised Christ from my soul trusts in his word. the dead will give life to your More than sentinels mortal bodies also, through wait for the dawn, his Spirit dwelling in you. let Israel wait for The word of the Lord. the Lord. r∙ Thanks be to God. For with the Lord is kindness and with him is VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL plenteous redemption; (John 11:25, 26) and he will redeem Israel Glory and praise to you, Lord from all their iniquities. r∙ Jesus Christ! I am the resurrec- tion and the life, says the Lord; SECOND READING (Romans 8:8-11) whoever believes in me, even Brothers and sisters: Those if he dies, will never die. Glory who are in the flesh cannot and praise to you, Lord Jesus please God. But you are not Christ! in the flesh; on the contrary,
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GOSPEL (John 11:1-45) sister and Lazarus. So when For the shorter version, omit the he heard that he was ill, he indented text in brackets and add remained for two days in the words in parentheses. place where he was. Then after this he said to his dis- A reading from the holy ciples, “Let us go back to Gospel according to John. Judea.” Glory to you, O Lord. [The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just ow a man was trying to stone you, and ill, Lazarus from you want to go back there?” [NBethany, the vil- Jesus answered, “Are there lage of Mary and her sis- not twelve hours in a day? ter Martha. Mary was the If one walks during the one who had anointed the day, he does not stumble, Lord with perfumed oil and because he sees the light dried his feet with her hair; of this world. But if one it was her brother Lazarus walks at night, he stumbles, who was ill. So] because the light is not in The sisters (of Lazarus) sent him.” He said this, and then word to Jesus saying, “Master, told them, “Our friend the one you love is ill.” When Lazarus is asleep, but I am Jesus heard this he said, “This going to awaken him.” So illness is not to end in death, the disciples said to him, but is for the glory of God, “Master, if he is asleep, he that the Son of God may be will be saved.” But Jesus was glorified through it.” Now talking about his death, Jesus loved Martha and her while they thought that
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he meant ordinary sleep. you.” Jesus said to her, “Your So then Jesus said to them brother will rise.” Martha said clearly, “Lazarus has died. to him, “I know he will rise, And I am glad for you that in the resurrection on the last I was not there, that you day.” Jesus told her, “I am the may believe. Let us go to resurrection and the life; who- him.” So Thomas, called ever believes in me, even if he Didymus, said to his fellow dies, will live, and everyone disciples, “Let us also go to who lives and believes in me die with him.”] will never die. Do you believe When Jesus arrived, he this?” She said to him, “Yes, found that Lazarus had Lord. I have come to believe already been in the tomb for that you are the Christ, the four days. Son of God, the one who is [Now Bethany was near coming into the world.” Jerusalem, only about two [When she had said this, miles away. And many of the she went and called her Jews had come to Martha sister Mary secretly, say- and Mary to comfort them ing, “The teacher is here about their brother.] and is asking for you.” As When Martha heard that Jesus soon as she heard this, she was coming, she went to meet rose quickly and went to him; but Mary sat at home. him. For Jesus had not yet Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if come into the village, but you had been here, my brother was still where Martha had would not have died. But even met him. So when the Jews now I know that whatever who were with her in the you ask of God, God will give house comforting her saw
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Mary get up quickly and go it. Jesus said, “Take away the out, they followed her, pre- stone.” Martha, the dead man’s suming that she was going sister, said to him, “Lord, by to the tomb to weep there. now there will be a stench; he When Mary came to where has been dead for four days.” Jesus was and saw him, she Jesus said to her, “Did I not fell at his feet and said to tell you that if you believe him, “Lord, if you had been you will see the glory of God?” here, my brother would not So they took away the stone. have died.” When Jesus saw And Jesus raised his eyes and her weeping and the Jews said, “Father, I thank you for who had come with her hearing me. I know that you weeping,] always hear me; but because He became perturbed and of the crowd here I have said deeply troubled, and said, this, that they may believe “Where have you laid him?” that you sent me.” And when They said to him, “Sir, come he had said this, He cried out and see.” And Jesus wept. So in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come the Jews said, “See how he out!” The dead man came loved him.” But some of them out, tied hand and foot with said, “Could not the one who burial bands, and his face was opened the eyes of the blind wrapped in a cloth. So Jesus man have done something so said to them, “Untie him and that this man would not have let him go.” died?” Now many of the Jews who So Jesus, perturbed again, had come to Mary and seen came to the tomb. It was a what he had done began to cave, and a stone lay across believe in him. livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 181 FiLentenfth Su weekdaynday of Lent
The Gospel of the Lord. just as, taking pity on the Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. human race, he leads us by sacred PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS mysteries to new life. Hear us, almighty God, and, having instilled Through him the host in your servants of Angels adores your the first fruits of the majesty Christian faith, and rejoices in your presence graciously purify them for ever. by the working of this May our voices, we pray, sacrifice. join with theirs Through Christ our Lord. in one chorus of exultant Amen. praise, as we acclaim: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God PREFACE: LAZARUS of hosts… (page 40) It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, COMMUNION ANTIPHON always and everywhere to (Cf. John 11:26) give you thanks, Everyone who lives and Lord, holy Father, almighty believes in me will not die and eternal God, for ever, says the Lord. through Christ our Lord. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION For as true man he wept for May your people be at one, Lazarus his friend O Lord, we pray, and as eternal God raised and in wholehearted him from the tomb, submission to you
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Living with Christ This Week FIFTH WEEK OF LENT
In our Sunday readings, Paul GENERAL INTERCESSIONS encourages us to consider Use these intercessions with your what we gain by living with prayers this week. Christ. The Israelites, with # For those who mirror God’s their patience worn out, are compassion and understanding given God’s healing after their to the world: ingratitude. In the gospels, Give them peace and joy, Jesus explains to his followers r∙ O God. that through their relationship with him they will gain an # For all who work for world peace entry into eternal life. ] through justice: r∙
# For God’s spirit of love, mercy, and forgiveness upon all those preparing to be received into the Church at Easter: r∙
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 183 MONDAY heavenly Kingdom. MARCH 22 Through our Lord Jesus LENTEN WEEKDAY Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with The following readings may be you in the unity of the used on any Lenten day this week, Holy Spirit, especially in Years B and C when the one God, for ever and ever. Gospel of Lazarus is not read on the Amen. Fifth Sunday of Lent: 2 Kings 4:18b- 21, 32-37; John 11:1-45 (250). The shorter version begins at the asterisks. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Cf. Psalm 56 [55]:2) READING (Daniel 13:1-9, 15-17, Have mercy on me, O God, 19-30, 33-62) for people assail me; they In Babylon there lived a man fight me all day long and named Joakim, who married oppress me. a very beautiful and God- fearing woman, Susanna, COLLECT the daughter of Hilkiah; her O God, by whose wondrous pious parents had trained grace their daughter according to we are enriched with every the law of Moses. Joakim was blessing, very rich; he had a garden near grant us so to pass from his house, and the Jews had former ways to newness recourse to him often because of life, he was the most respected of that we may be made them all. ready for the glory of the That year, two elders of
184 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 22 ] Monday the people were appointed “Bring me oil and soap,” she judges, of whom the Lord said, said to the maids, “and shut the “Wickedness has come out of garden doors while I bathe.” Babylon: from the elders who As soon as the maids had were to govern the people as left, the two old men got up judges.” These men, to whom and hurried to her. “Look,” all brought their cases, fre- they said, “the garden doors quented the house of Joakim. are shut, and no one can see When the people left at noon, us; give in to our desire, and Susanna used to enter her lie with us. If you refuse, we husband’s garden for a walk. will testify against you that When the old men saw her you dismissed your maids enter every day for her walk, because a young man was here they began to lust for her. with you.” They suppressed their con- “I am completely trapped,” sciences; they would not allow Susanna groaned. “If I yield, it their eyes to look to heaven, will be my death; if I refuse, I and did not keep in mind just cannot escape your power. Yet judgments. it is better for me to fall into One day, while they were your power without guilt than waiting for the right moment, to sin before the Lord.” Then she entered the garden as Susanna shrieked, and the old usual, with two maids only. men also shouted at her, as one She decided to bathe, for the of them ran to open the gar- weather was warm. Nobody den doors. When the people else was there except the two in the house heard the cries elders, who had hidden them- from the garden, they rushed selves and were watching her. in by the side gate to see what livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 185 Lenten weekday had happened to her. At the entered with two girls and accusations by the old men, shut the doors of the gar- the servants felt very much den, dismissing the girls. A ashamed, for never had any young man, who was hidden such thing been said about there, came and lay with her. Susanna. When we, in a corner of the When the people came to garden, saw this crime, we ran her husband Joakim the next toward them. We saw them day, the two wicked elders lying together, but the man also came, fully determined to we could not hold, because put Susanna to death. Before he was stronger than we; he all the people they ordered: opened the doors and ran off. “Send for Susanna, the daugh- Then we seized her and asked ter of Hilkiah, the wife of who the young man was, but Joakim.” When she was sent she refused to tell us. We testify for, she came with her par- to this.” The assembly believed ents, children and all her rela- them, since they were elders tives. All her relatives and the and judges of the people, and onlookers were weeping. they condemned her to death. In the midst of the people the two elders rose up and *** laid their hands on her head. [The assembly condemned Through tears she looked Susanna to death.] up to heaven, for she trusted But Susanna cried aloud: in the Lord wholeheartedly. “O eternal God, you know The elders made this accusa- what is hidden and are aware tion: “As we were walking in of all things before they come the garden alone, this woman to be: you know that they
186 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 22 ] Monday have testified falsely against two far from each other that I me. Here I am about to die, may examine them.” though I have done none of After they were separated the things with which these one from the other, he called wicked men have charged me.” one of them and said: “How The Lord heard her prayer. you have grown evil with age! As she was being led to execu- Now have your past sins come tion, God stirred up the holy to term: passing unjust sen- spirit of a young boy named tences, condemning the inno- Daniel, and he cried aloud: “I cent, and freeing the guilty, will have no part in the death although the Lord says, ‘The of this woman.” All the people innocent and the just you turned and asked him, “What shall not put to death.’ Now, is this you are saying?” He then, if you were a witness, tell stood in their midst and con- me under what tree you saw tinued, “Are you such fools, them together.” “Under a mas- O children of Israel! To con- tic tree,” he answered. Daniel demn a woman of Israel with- replied, “Your fine lie has cost out examination and without you your head, for the angel of clear evidence? Return to God shall receive the sentence court, for they have testified from him and split you in falsely against her.” two.” Putting him to one side, Then all the people returned he ordered the other one to be in haste. To Daniel the elders brought. Daniel said to him, said, “Come, sit with us and “Offspring of Canaan, not of inform us, since God has given Judah, beauty has seduced you the prestige of old age.” you, lust has subverted your But he replied, “Separate these conscience. This is how you livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 187 Lenten weekday acted with the daughters of RESPONSORIAL PSALM Israel, and in their fear they (Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6) yielded to you; but a daughter r∙ Even though I walk in the of Judah did not tolerate your dark valley I fear no evil; wickedness. Now, then, tell me for you are at my side. under what tree you surprised The Lord is my shepherd; them together.” “Under an I shall not want. oak,” he said. Daniel replied, In verdant pastures “Your fine lie has cost you also he gives me repose; your head, for the angel of Beside restful waters God waits with a sword to cut he leads me; you in two so as to make an he refreshes my soul. r∙ end of you both.” He guides me in right paths The whole assembly cried for his name’s sake. aloud, blessing God who saves Even though I walk those who hope in him. They in the dark valley rose up against the two elders, I fear no evil; for you for by their own words Daniel are at my side had convicted them of per- With your rod and your staff jury. According to the law of that give me courage. r∙ Moses, they inflicted on them You spread the table the penalty they had plotted before me to impose on their neighbor: in the sight of my foes; they put them to death. Thus You anoint my head with oil; was innocent blood spared my cup overflows. r∙ that day. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life;
188 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 22 ] Monday
And I shall dwell in the committing adultery. Now in house of the Lord the law, Moses commanded for years to come. r∙ us to stone such women. So what do you say?” They said VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL this to test him, so that they (Ezekiel 33:11) could have some charge to Glory and praise to you, Lord bring against him. Jesus bent Jesus Christ! I take no pleasure down and began to write on in the death of the wicked the ground with his finger. man, says the Lord, but rather But when they continued ask- in his conversion, that he may ing him, he straightened up live. Glory and praise to you, Lord and said to them, “Let the one Jesus Christ! among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone GOSPEL (John 8:1-11) at her.” Again he bent down esus went to the Mount and wrote on the ground. of Olives. But early in And in response, they went Jthe morning he arrived away one by one, beginning again in the temple area, and with the elders. So he was left all the people started coming alone with the woman before to him, and he sat down and him. Then Jesus straightened taught them. Then the scribes up and said to her, “Woman, and the Pharisees brought a where are they? Has no one woman who had been caught condemned you?” She replied, in adultery and made her “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, stand in the middle. They said “Neither do I condemn you. to him, “Teacher, this woman Go, and from now on do not was caught in the very act of sin any more.”
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 189 Lenten weekday
PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS COMMUNION ANTIPHON Grant, we pray, O Lord, (John 8:12) that, preparing to celebrate I am the light of the world, the holy mysteries, says the Lord; whoever we may bring before you as follows me will not walk in the fruit of bodily penance the darkness, but will have a joyful purity of heart. the light of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Strengthened by the blessing PREFACE (Passion of the Lord I, of your Sacraments, page 36) we pray, O Lord,
“Then the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery and made her stand in the middle” (John 8:3). » The scribes and Pharisees felt superior to the woman they dragged before Jesus. Sometimes I, too, fall into the habit of thinking I’m better than others. I might even pat myself on the back for the sins I don’t commit. (“I’m not perfect, but at least I didn’t do anything as bad as she did.”) Jesus didn’t tolerate that kind of one-upsmanship. He knew that we are all sinners in need of God’s love and forgiveness. He knew, too, that we are capable of remorse and conversion. Our task is to change our own hearts, not to presume we know what change is needed in others. Lord Jesus Christ, help me deal with my own weaknesses and stop judging other people for theirs. KARLA MANTERNACH
190 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us that through them we may TUESDAY constantly be cleansed of MARCH 23 our faults LENTEN WEEKDAY and, by following Christ, hasten our steps upward [ St. Turibius of Mogrovejo, toward you. bishop (1538-1606) ] Born in Spain, Through Christ our Lord. he was a professor of law and Amen. later counselor and acting presi- dent of the Inquisition in Granada. PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) Appointed as a layman to be Set free from their sins, archbishop of Lima, Peru, when he O Lord, we pray, arrived in Peru, he was appalled the people who call upon by the European conquerors who you, exploited and oppressed the na- that, living a holy way tive peoples. He condemned abus- of life, es and founded schools, hospitals, they may be kept safe from and churches. May we imitate his every trial. love and service for the poor. ] Through Christ our Lord. Amen. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON (Psalm 27 [26]:14) Wait for the Lord; be strong; RESPONDING TO THE WORD be stouthearted, and wait for Jesus defuses a volatile situation, the Lord! disarming the crowd with truth. $ When has God’s truth dis- COLLECT armed me? Grant us, we pray, O Lord, Jesus, thank you… perseverance in obeying livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 191 Lenten weekday
your will, saraph serpents, which bit that in our days the people the people so that many of dedicated to your service them died. Then the people may grow in both merit and came to Moses and said, “We number. have sinned in complaining Through our Lord Jesus against the Lord and you. Christ, your Son, Pray the Lord to take the ser- who lives and reigns with pents away from us.” So Moses you in the unity of the prayed for the people, and the Holy Spirit, Lord said to Moses, “Make a one God, for ever and ever. saraph and mount it on a pole, Amen. and whoever looks at it after being bitten will live.” Moses READING (Numbers 21:4-9) accordingly made a bronze From Mount Hor the chil- serpent and mounted it on a dren of Israel set out on the pole, and whenever anyone Red Sea road, to bypass the who had been bitten by a ser- land of Edom. But with their pent looked at the bronze ser- patience worn out by the jour- pent, he lived. ney, the people complained against God and Moses, “Why RESPONSORIAL PSALM have you brought us up from (Psalm 102:2-3, 16-18, 19-21) Egypt to die in this desert, r∙ O Lord, hear my prayer, where there is no food or and let my cry come to you. water? We are disgusted with O Lord, hear my prayer, this wretched food!” and let my cry In punishment the Lord come to you. sent among the people Hide not your face from me
192 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 23 ] Tuesday
in the day of my distress. VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Incline your ear to me; Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, in the day when I call, King of endless glory! The seed is answer me speedily. r∙ the word of God, Christ is the The nations shall revere your sower; all who come to him name, O Lord, will live for ever. Praise to you, and all the kings of the Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless earth your glory, glory! When the Lord has rebuilt Zion GOSPEL (John 8:21-30) and appeared in his glory; esus said to the Pharisees: When he has regarded “I am going away and you the prayer of the Jwill look for me, but you destitute, will die in your sin. Where I and not despised am going you cannot come.” their prayer. r∙ So the Jews said, “He is not Let this be written for the going to kill himself, is he, generation to come, because he said, ‘Where I am and let his future creatures going you cannot come’?” He praise the Lord: said to them, “You belong to “The Lord looked down what is below, I belong to from his holy height, what is above. You belong from heaven he to this world, but I do not beheld the earth, belong to this world. That is To hear the groaning of why I told you that you will the prisoners, die in your sins. For if you do to release those not believe that I AM, you doomed to die.” r∙ will die in your sins.” So they livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 193 Lenten weekday said to him, “Who are you?” up the Son of Man, then you Jesus said to them, “What I will realize that I AM, and told you from the beginning. that I do nothing on my own, I have much to say about you but I say only what the Father in condemnation. But the taught me. The one who sent one who sent me is true, and me is with me. He has not left what I heard from him I tell me alone, because I always the world.” They did not real- do what is pleasing to him.” ize that he was speaking to Because he spoke this way, them of the Father. So Jesus many came to believe in him. said to them, “When you lift
“The one who sent me is with me” (John 8:29). » When I first came to the Church, I felt God’s presence constantly. It was almost as though God’s hand always rested on my shoulder. I recall telling a friend about this and being told that I was lucky and that few people felt that. I wonder if Jesus had this sense as he spoke to the Pharisees in the temple area? Did he always have it? He might have felt without it on the cross when he asked why God had abandoned him, but was that the only time? My sense of God’s hand on my shoulder faded over the years, of course, and nothing I do—not prayers, retreats, or good works— manages to bring it back. I miss it, but I focus on knowing that God is still as close to me as in those early years. Just repeating these words of Jesus brings me back into the warmth of fully knowing that it is true. AILEEN O’DONOGHUE
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PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS to approach these heavenly We offer you, O Lord, the gifts. sacrifice of conciliation, Through Christ our Lord. that, being moved to Amen. compassion, you may both pardon our PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) offenses O God, who choose to show and direct our wavering mercy not anger hearts. to those who hope in you, Through Christ our Lord. grant that your faithful may Amen. weep, as they should, for the evil they have done, PREFACE (Passion of the Lord I, and so merit the grace page 36) of your consolation. Through Christ our Lord. COMMUNION ANTIPHON Amen. (John 12:32) When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to RESPONDING TO THE WORD myself, says the Lord. When we are in need of healing, God has the remedy. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION $ What healing of spirit might Grant, we pray, almighty God, I need today? that, ever seeking what is Jesus, heal me from… divine, we may always be worthy
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 195 WEDNESDAY READING (Daniel 3:14-20, 91-92, 95) MARCH 24 King Nebuchadnezzar said: LENTEN WEEKDAY “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, that you will ENTRANCE ANTIPHON not serve my god, or worship (Cf. Psalm 18 [17]:48-49) the golden statue that I set My deliverer from angry up? Be ready now to fall down nations, you set me above my and worship the statue I had assailants; you saved me from made, whenever you hear the violent man, O Lord. the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bag- COLLECT pipe, and all the other musi- Enlighten, O God of cal instruments; otherwise, compassion, you shall be instantly cast the hearts of your children, into the white-hot furnace; sanctified by penance, and who is the God who can and in your kindness deliver you out of my hands?” grant those you stir Shadrach, Meshach, and to a sense of devotion Abednego answered King a gracious hearing when they Nebuchadnezzar, “There is cry out to you. no need for us to defend our- Through our Lord Jesus selves before you in this mat- Christ, your Son, ter. If our God, whom we who lives and reigns with serve, can save us from the you in the unity of the white-hot furnace and from Holy Spirit, your hands, O king, may he one God, for ever and ever. save us! But even if he will Amen. not, know, O king, that we
196 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 24 ] Wednesday will not serve your god or who trusted in him; they dis- worship the golden statue obeyed the royal command that you set up.” and yielded their bodies King Nebuchadnezzar’s face rather than serve or worship became livid with utter rage any god except their own against Shadrach, Meshach, G o d .” and Abednego. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven RESPONSORIAL PSALM times more than usual and (Daniel 3:52, 53, 54, 55, 56) had some of the strongest men r∙ Glory and praise for ever! in his army bind Shadrach, “Blessed are you, O Lord, Meshach, and Abednego and the God of our fathers, cast them into the white-hot praiseworthy and exalted furnace. above all forever; Nebuchadnezzar rose in And blessed is your holy haste and asked his nobles, and glorious name, “Did we not cast three praiseworthy and exalted men bound into the fire?” above all for all ages.” r∙ “Assuredly, O king,” they “Blessed are you in the answered. “But,” he replied, “I temple of your holy glory, see four men unfettered and praiseworthy and exalted unhurt, walking in the fire, above all forever. r∙ and the fourth looks like a “Blessed are you on the son of God.” Nebuchadnezzar throne of your Kingdom, exclaimed, “Blessed be the praiseworthy and exalted God of Shadrach, Meshach, above all forever.” r∙ and Abednego, who sent his “Blessed are you who look angel to deliver the servants into the depths livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 197 Lenten weekday
from your throne are descendants of Abraham upon the cherubim; and have never been enslaved praiseworthy and exalted to anyone. How can you say, above all forever.” ‘You will become free’?” Jesus r∙ Glory and praise for ever! answered them, “Amen, amen, “Blessed are you in the I say to you, everyone who firmament of heaven, commits sin is a slave of sin. praiseworthy and glorious A slave does not remain in a forever.” r∙ household forever, but a son always remains. So if the Son VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL frees you, then you will truly (See Luke 8:15) be free. I know that you are Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, descendants of Abraham. King of endless glory! Blessed are But you are trying to kill me, they who have kept the word because my word has no room with a generous heart and among you. I tell you what I yield a harvest through perse- have seen in the Father’s pres- verance. Praise to you, Lord Jesus ence; then do what you have Christ, King of endless glory! heard from the Father.” They answered and said to GOSPEL (John 8:31-42) him, “Our father is Abraham.” esus said to those Jews Jesus said to them, “If you who believed in him, “If were Abraham’s children, you Jyou remain in my word, would be doing the works of you will truly be my disciples, Abraham. But now you are and you will know the truth, trying to kill me, a man who and the truth will set you has told you the truth that I free.” They answered him, “We heard from God; Abraham
198 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 24 ] Wednesday did not do this. You are doing PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS the works of your father!” So Receive back, O Lord, they said to him, “We were not these sacrificial offerings, born of fornication. We have which you have given to be one Father, God.” Jesus said offered to them, “If God were your to the honor of your name, Father, you would love me, and grant that they may for I came from God and am become remedies for our here; I did not come on my healing. own, but he sent me.” Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
“So if a son frees you, then you will truly be free” (John 8:36). » I correspond with a man who is imprisoned for life. Not long ago, he wrote that not until he lost his freedom did he begin to realize that he was never really free at all when he was “outside.” In prison, he struggled to come to a deeper experience of freedom. Now, he says he knows a freedom he never dreamed was possible. Despite the hardships of prison life, he has found a peace within himself by freely placing his trust in God. While recognizing his weaknesses and failures, he knows that God has drawn him to the divine presence. “I have learned to trust Him,” he wrote. Perhaps in desperate straits we are called to accept what Jesus means by freedom. In our sufferings and our sinfulness, God draws near. We are asked to trust God. God helps us to use the divine gift of freedom to hear God in our lives. FR. JAMES STEPHEN BEHRENS
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 199 Lenten weekday
PREFACE (Passion of the Lord I, PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) page 36) Attend, almighty God, to the prayers of your people, COMMUNION ANTIPHON and, as you endow them (Colossians 1:13-14) with confident hope God has brought us to the in your compassion, kingdom of his beloved let them feel as ever the Son, in whom we have effects of your mercy. redemption through his Through Christ our Lord. Blood, the forgiveness of sins. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION May the mysteries we have RESPONDING TO THE WORD received, O Lord, Jesus promises that if he frees us, bring us heavenly medicine, we “will truly be free.” that they may purge all evil $ How have I been afraid and from our heart preferred captivity to freedom and strengthen us with with Christ? eternal protection. Jesus, help me… Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
200 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us THURSDAY ENTRANCE ANTIPHON MARCH 25 (Hebrews 10:5, 7) THE ANNUNCIATION The Lord said, as he entered OF THE LORD the world: Behold, I come to do your will, O God.
GLORY TO GOD (page 29)
COLLECT O God, who willed that your Word should take on the reality This feast celebrates the won- of human flesh drous event that binds God and in the womb of the humanity forever. Christ, the Virgin Mary, Word who becomes the Son of grant, we pray, Mary, is enfleshed in her womb, that we, who confess our making Mary the Mother of God. Redeemer to be God The liturgy celebrates the begin- and man, ning of God’s new redemptive may merit to become work and recognizes Mary as the partakers even in his “new Eve,” the obedient and faith- divine nature. ful woman who generously agreed Who lives and reigns with to be a participant in God’s plan you in the unity of the of salvation. May we imitate her Holy Spirit, generous and trusting commit- one God, for ever and ever. ment when she gave herself fully Amen. to God’s mysterious ways. ]
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 201 The annunciation of the lord
READING (Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10) then said I, “Behold, The Lord spoke to Ahaz, say- I come.” r∙ ing: Ask for a sign from the “In the written scroll it is Lord, your God; let it be deep prescribed for me, as the netherworld, or high as To do your will, O my God, the sky! But Ahaz answered, is my delight, “I will not ask! I will not and your law is within tempt the Lord!” Then Isaiah my heart!” r∙ said: Listen, O house of David! I announced your justice Is it not enough for you to in the vast assembly; weary people, must you also I did not restrain my lips, weary my God? Therefore the as you, O Lord, know. r∙ Lord himself will give you this Your justice I kept not hid sign: the virgin shall conceive, within my heart; and bear a son, and shall name your faithfulness and him Emmanuel, which means your salvation I have “God is with us!” spoken of; I have made no secret of RESPONSORIAL PSALM your kindness and (Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 11) your truth r∙ Here am I, Lord; I come to in the vast assembly. r∙ do your will. Sacrifice or oblation SECOND READING (Hebrews 10:4-10) you wished not, Brothers and sisters: It is but ears open to impossible that the blood of obedience you gave me. bulls and goats takes away sins. Holocausts and sin-offerings For this reason, when Christ you sought not; came into the world, he said:
202 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 25 ] Thursday
“Sacrifice and offering became flesh and made his you did not desire, dwelling among us and we but a body you prepared saw his glory. Glory and praise for me; to you, Lord Jesus Christ! in holocausts and sin offerings you took GOSPEL (Luke 1:26-38) no delight. he angel Gabriel was Then I said, ‘As is written sent from God to a of me in the scroll, Ttown of Galilee called behold, I come to do Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed your will, O God.’ ” to a man named Joseph, of First he says, “Sacrifices and the house of David, and the offerings, holocausts and sin virgin’s name was Mary. And offerings, you neither desired coming to her, he said, “Hail, nor delighted in.” These are full of grace! The Lord is with offered according to the law. you.” But she was greatly trou- Then he says, “Behold, I come bled at what was said and pon- to do your will.” He takes away dered what sort of greeting the first to establish the sec- this might be. Then the angel ond. By this “will,” we have said to her, “Do not be afraid, been consecrated through the Mary, for you have found favor offering of the Body of Jesus with God. Behold, you will Christ once for all. conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL him Jesus. He will be great and (John 1:14b) will be called Son of the Most Glory and praise to you, Lord High, and the Lord God will Jesus Christ! The Word of God give him the throne of David
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 203 The annunciation of the lord his father, and he will rule called holy, the Son of God. over the house of Jacob for- And behold, Elizabeth, your ever, and of his Kingdom there relative, has also conceived a will be no end.” But Mary said son in her old age, and this is to the angel, “How can this be, the sixth month for her who since I have no relations with was called barren; for nothing a man?” And the angel said to will be impossible for God.” her in reply, “The Holy Spirit Mary said, “Behold, I am the will come upon you, and the handmaid of the Lord. May power of the Most High will it be done to me according overshadow you. Therefore to your word.” Then the angel the child to be born will be departed from her.
Mary, “greatly troubled” by the announcement of the visiting angel, was given Elizabeth’s pregnancy as an example of God’s power and kindness. And Mary must have taken that example to heart, for she immediately responded with, “May it be done to me according to your word.” Mary gave no sign of envy at the blessing accorded Elizabeth, no suspicion that God might love her cousin more than her. Instead, she took the news for what it was: a sign of God’s active goodness in the world. The next time I hear about something good happening to a friend or family member, I will try to embrace Mary’s attitude of wholehearted joy that God is good. Lord, you have done great things for me. May I always be grateful for the blessings you give to others. MARK NEILSEN
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PROFESSION OF FAITH (page 30) born among men and for men’s sake PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS by the overshadowing power Be pleased, almighty God, of the Holy Spirit. to accept your Church’s Lovingly she bore him offering, in her immaculate womb, so that she, who is aware that that the promises to the her beginnings children of Israel might lie in the Incarnation of your come about Only Begotten Son, and the hope of nations may rejoice to celebrate be accomplished beyond his mysteries on this all telling. Solemnity. Who lives and reigns for ever Through him the host of and ever. Amen. Angels adores your majesty and rejoices in your presence PREFACE: THE MYSTERY for ever. OF THE INCARNATION May our voices, we pray, join It is truly right and just, with theirs our duty and our salvation, in one chorus of exultant always and everywhere praise, as we acclaim: to give you thanks, Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God Lord, holy Father, almighty of hosts… (page 40) and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. COMMUNION ANTIPHON For the Virgin Mary heard (Isaiah 7:14) with faith Behold, a Virgin shall that the Christ was to be conceive and bear a son; livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 205 and his name will be called FRIDAY Emmanuel. MARCH 26 LENTEN WEEKDAY PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Confirm in our minds the ENTRANCE ANTIPHON mysteries of the true faith, (Psalm 31 [30]:10, 16, 18) we pray, O Lord, Have mercy on me, O Lord, so that, confessing that he for I am in distress. Deliver me who was conceived of the from the hands of my enemies Virgin Mary and those who pursue me. O is true God and true man, Lord, let me never be put to we may, through the saving shame, for I call on you. power of his Resurrection, merit to attain eternal joy. COLLECT Through Christ our Lord. Pardon the offenses of your Amen. peoples, we pray, O Lord, and in your goodness set us free RESPONDING TO THE WORD from the bonds of the sins Mary’s “yes” set in motion God’s we have committed in our new creation. weakness. $ What fears do I have about Through our Lord Jesus saying “yes” to God’s birth in Christ, your Son, my heart? who lives and reigns with Jesus, come to live in me so that… you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
206 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 26 ] Friday
OR are on the watch for any O God, who in this season misstep of mine. give your Church the grace “Perhaps he will be trapped; to imitate devoutly the then we can prevail, Blessed Virgin Mary and take our vengeance in contemplating the Passion on him.” of Christ, But the Lord is with me, grant, we pray, through her like a mighty champion: intercession, my persecutors will that we may cling more stumble, they will firmly each day not triumph. to your Only Begotten Son In their failure they will be and come at last to the put to utter shame, fullness of his grace. to lasting, unforgettable Who lives and reigns with confusion. you in the unity of the O Lord of hosts, you who Holy Spirit, test the just, one God, for ever and ever. who probe mind Amen. and heart, Let me witness the READING (Jeremiah 20:10-13) vengeance you take I hear the whisperings on them, of many: for to you I have entrusted “Terror on every side! my cause. Denounce! let us Sing to the Lord, denounce him!” praise the Lord, All those who were For he has rescued the life my friends of the poor livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 207 Lenten weekday
from the power of and cried out to my God; the wicked! From his temple he heard my voice, RESPONSORIAL PSALM and my cry to him (Psalm 18:2-3a, 3bc-4, 5-6, 7) reached his ears. r∙ r∙ In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice. VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL I love you, O Lord, (See John 6:63c, 68c) my strength, Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, O Lord, my rock, my King of endless glory! Your fortress, my deliverer. r∙ words, Lord, are Spirit and life; My God, my rock of refuge, you have the words of everlast- my shield, the horn of my ing life. Praise to you, Lord Jesus salvation, my stronghold! Christ, King of endless glory! Praised be the Lord, I exclaim, GOSPEL (John 10:31-42) and I am safe from he Jews picked up rocks my enemies. r∙ to stone Jesus. Jesus The breakers of death Tanswered them, “I have surged round about me, shown you many good works the destroying floods from my Father. For which of overwhelmed me; these are you trying to stone The cords of the nether me?” The Jews answered world enmeshed me, him, “We are not stoning the snares of death you for a good work but for overtook me. r∙ blasphemy. You, a man, are In my distress I called upon making yourself God.” Jesus the Lord answered them, “Is it not writ-
208 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 26 ] Friday ten in your law, ‘I said, “You are works, so that you may real- gods” ’? If it calls them gods ize and understand that the to whom the word of God Father is in me and I am in the came, and Scripture cannot Father.” Then they tried again be set aside, can you say that to arrest him; but he escaped the one whom the Father has from their power. consecrated and sent into the He went back across the world blasphemes because I Jordan to the place where John said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If first baptized, and there he I do not perform my Father’s remained. Many came to him works, do not believe me; but and said, “John performed no if I perform them, even if you sign, but everything John said do not believe me, believe the about this man was true.” And
“Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause” (Jeremiah 20:12). » I always read a passage like this with a feeling of recognition. I’ve indulged in a little revenge fantasy of my own from time to time. I’d like to claim I endured mistreatment with love and ready forgiveness in my heart. But sometimes I have allowed myself a gleeful blood lust instead, imagining all the bad things that could befall the people who hurt me. Jesus said that we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. He must have known we couldn’t do one without the other. When our minds and hearts travel down the dark path of resentment, prayer opens the door for God to lead us back into the light. Gracious God, help me to love my enemies. KARLA MANTERNACH
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 209 Lenten weekday many there began to believe never leave us, O Lord, in him. and may it always drive far from us PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS all that would do us harm. Grant, O merciful God, Through Christ our Lord. that we may be worthy Amen. to serve ever fittingly at your altars, PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) and there to be saved Grant, we pray, almighty God, by constant participation. that your servants, who Through Christ our Lord. seek the grace of your Amen. protection, may be free from every evil PREFACE (Passion of the Lord I, and serve you in peace of page 36) mind. Through Christ our Lord. COMMUNION ANTIPHON Amen. (1 Peter 2:24) Jesus bore our sins in his own body on the cross, so that RESPONDING TO THE WORD dead to sin, we might live for Jesus invites his opponents to righteousness. By his wounds “believe the works” that he does. we have been healed. $ In what “work” of Jesus in my life am I being called to have PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION greater faith? May the unfailing protection Jesus, strengthen my faith so that… of the sacrifice we have received
210 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us SATURDAY who lives and reigns with MARCH 27 you in the unity of the LENTEN WEEKDAY Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Amen. (Cf. Psalm 22 [21]:20, 7) O Lord, do not stay afar off; READING (Ezekiel 37:21-28) my strength, make haste to Thus says the Lord God: I help me! For I am a worm will take the children of Israel and no man, scorned by from among the nations to everyone, despised by the which they have come, and people. gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land. COLLECT I will make them one nation O God, who have made all upon the land, in the moun- those reborn in Christ tains of Israel, and there shall a chosen race and a royal be one prince for them all. priesthood, Never again shall they be grant us, we pray, the grace two nations, and never again to will and to do what you shall they be divided into two command, kingdoms. that the people called to No longer shall they defile eternal life themselves with their idols, may be one in the faith of their abominations, and all their hearts their transgressions. I will and the homage of their deeds. deliver them from all their Through our Lord Jesus sins of apostasy, and cleanse Christ, your Son, them so that they may be my livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 211 Lenten weekday people and I may be their RESPONSORIAL PSALM God. My servant David shall (Jeremiah 31:10, 11-12abcd, 13) be prince over them, and r∙ The Lord will guard us, as a there shall be one shepherd shepherd guards his flock. for them all; they shall live Hear the word of the Lord, by my statutes and carefully O nations, observe my decrees. They proclaim it on distant shall live on the land that I isles, and say: gave to my servant Jacob, the He who scattered Israel, now land where their fathers lived; gathers them together, they shall live on it forever, he guards them as a they, and their children, and shepherd his flock. r∙ their children’s children, with The Lord shall ransom Jacob, my servant David their prince he shall redeem him from forever. I will make with them the hand of his conqueror. a covenant of peace; it shall Shouting, they shall mount be an everlasting covenant the heights of Zion, with them, and I will multi- they shall come streaming ply them, and put my sanctu- to the Lord’s blessings: ary among them forever. My The grain, the wine, dwelling shall be with them; and the oil, I will be their God, and they the sheep and the oxen. r∙ shall be my people. Thus the Then the virgins shall make nations shall know that it is merry and dance, I, the Lord, who make Israel and young men holy, when my sanctuary shall and old as well. be set up among them forever. I will turn their mourning into joy,
212 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 27 ] Saturday
I will console and gladden and the Romans will come them after their sorrows. and take away both our land r∙ and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL priest that year, said to them, (Ezekiel 18:31) “You know nothing, nor do Glory and praise to you, Lord Jesus you consider that it is better Christ! Cast away from you all for you that one man should the crimes you have commit- die instead of the people, so ted, says the Lord, and make that the whole nation may for yourselves a new heart and not perish.” He did not say a new spirit. Glory and praise to this on his own, but since he you, Lord Jesus Christ! was high priest for that year, he prophesied that Jesus was GOSPEL (John 11:45-56) going to die for the nation, any of the Jews who and not only for the nation, had come to Mary but also to gather into one the Mand seen what Jesus dispersed children of God. So had done began to believe in from that day on they planned him. But some of them went to kill him. to the Pharisees and told them So Jesus no longer walked what Jesus had done. So the about in public among the chief priests and the Pharisees Jews, but he left for the region convened the Sanhedrin and near the desert, to a town said, “What are we going to called Ephraim, and there he do? This man is performing remained with his disciples. many signs. If we leave him Now the Passover of the alone, all will believe in him, Jews was near, and many
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 213 Lenten weekday went up from the country our fasting to Jerusalem before Passover be acceptable to you, O Lord, to purify themselves. They we pray, looked for Jesus and said to and, as an expiation one another as they were in for our sins, the temple area, “What do you may they make us worthy think? That he will not come of your grace to the feast?” and lead us to what you promise for eternity. PRAYER OVER THE OFFERINGS Through Christ our Lord. May the gifts we offer from Amen.
“I will take the Israelites from among the nations to which they have come, and gather them from all sides to bring them back to their land” (Ezekiel 37:21). » I once accompanied a friend back to her home country after an absence of many months. The experience of seeing my friend’s homeland through her eyes, witnessing how she came alive to the familiar elements that had shaped her spirit—culture, food, story, custom, family, friends—was like seeing a parched land drinking in a long-awaited spring rain. I imagine it was no different for the people of Israel after their time of exile, scattered and separated from so much that was cherished and comforting. Like the Israelites, we, too, know the longing that is in each of our hearts for a lasting home. We, too, discover that only in God do we find an enduring sense of belonging and completion. SR. CHRIS KOELLHOFFER, I.H.M.
214 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us March 27 ] Saturday
PREFACE (Passion of the Lord I, who incline their hearts page 36) before you: do not allow, we pray, COMMUNION ANTIPHON those you have redeemed (Cf. John 11:52) by the Death of your Christ was handed over, to Only Begotten Son, gather into one the scattered to be harmed by their sins children of God. or weighed down by their trials. PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Through Christ our Lord. We entreat your majesty most Amen. humbly, O Lord, that, as you feed us with the nourishment RESPONDING TO THE WORD which comes from the most God promises to be with us always. holy Body and Blood of $ How has God been with me your Son, this Lent? so you may make us sharers Jesus, be with me… of his divine nature. Who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE PEOPLE (Optional) Have mercy, Lord, on your Church, as she brings you her supplications, and be attentive to those livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 215 So let us spread before his feet, not garments or soulless olive branches, which delight the eye for a few hours and then wither, but ourselves, clothed in his grace, or rather, clothed completely in him. We who have been baptized into Christ must ourselves be the garments that we spread before him. Let our souls take the place of the welcoming branches as we join in the holy song: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed is the King of Israel.”
ST. ANDREW OF CRETE
216 MARCH 2021 livingwithchrist.us easter week
Easter is the Church’s holiest day of the year. After twenty centuries, we still boldly announce to the world: Christ lives! Liturgically, the “eight days” begin at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday and continue through the Octave of Easter. Every day is another Easter, to rejoice in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus! St. Augustine refers to the Octave of Easter as “days of mercy and pardon,” calling the Sunday of the Paschal Octave “the summary of the days of mercy.” After his resurrection, Jesus took great care to show his apostles the wounds of his passion, especially the wound in his heart, the source from which flows the mercy poured out on humanity. Since 2000, the Church has designated the final day of the Octave, the Second Sunday of Easter, as the Sunday of Divine Mercy to celebrate the fact that Jesus still calls us to immerse ourselves in his mercy and love.
livingwithchrist.us LIVING WITH CHRIST 217 From Hosanna to Alleluia PREPARE CHILDREN FOR EASTER JOY!
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A Laughing Lent
Throughout all of this March issue, we are in the holy season of Lent (beginning on March 28, please see your special Holy Week issue of Living with Christ). We tend to think of Lent as anything but joyful. We are to be contrite, to sacrifice, to admit our faults, and to pray more intently. But, as the religious sisters on our front cover can serve to remind us, Lent is also a great opportunity for us to be joyful. We can experience true joy if we examine our behaviors and more closely follow the teachings of the Lord. In fact, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday (March 14), we are specifically reminded to be joyful. Laetare means “to rejoice.” This is the counterpart to Gaudette Sunday during Advent when we light the rose candle and focus on the joy of the approaching Nativity. Especially as we begin Holy Week and recall the Lord’s Passion, we will, indeed, solemnly recall Jesus’ tremendous suffering and death. But we also know what follows. We know that Jesus died for our sake. We know that he conquered sin and death for us. What greater cause for joy can there be? If you wish, sit quietly and reflect on the following question: g How can I be both contrite and joyful this Lent?
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