Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

Blessed be the Lord who gives sight to the blind.
May the light of his love be with you.

Introduction

In opening the eyes of the man born blind,
Jesus shows that he, the Light of the World,
has power to free people from all forms of darkness in their lives.
Let us ask the Lord's forgiveness for being blind to his love
and for failing to ask for healing for our own blindness. (pause)

Lord, you are the light.
You do not see as humans see
because you look into the heart:
Lord, have mercy.

Lord, you are the light.
Anyone who follows you will have the light of life:
Christ, have mercy.

Lord, you are the light.
You give sight to the blind
both for those who cannot see
and those who will not see:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

O God,
the author and source of all light,
you gaze into the depths of our hearts.
Do not permit the powers of darkness to hold us captive
but open our eyes
that we may be able to look upon the One
you sent to illumine the world -
Jesus the Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
holy and mighty God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

P        God listens to those who worship him and obey his will.
          As children of the light let us pray for the needs
          of the Church and the world.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, that we may see. (Please repeat)

1. For all those blinded by doubt and despair: (pause)
   that they may see again the light of faith
   through the lives of committed Christians,
   let us pray to the Lord:
   
2. For victims of oppression and discrimination,
   for migrants and refugees: (pause)
   that we may not be blind to their needs
   but help them carry their burdens:
   let us pray to the Lord:
   
3. For all blind people, for their families
   and for those who care for the blind: (pause)
   may each one know the healing presence
   of Christ's love: let us pray to the Lord:
4. Over 17 million people in Africa suffer
   from "River Blindness", a disease which is caused
   by a parasitic worm. (pause)
   That Scientists will be able to find a cheap,
   effective cure to eradicate this terrible disease,
   let us pray to the Lord:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P     Heavenly Father, in this life we see as in a glass darkly.
       Open our eyes that we may walk with confidence
       along the road which leads to your Kingdom,
       where we shall see as we are seen.
      We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Father of light,
help us to see your Son Jesus Christ
coming among us in these humble gifts of bread and wine.
Help us to recognize him today
in the blind, the handicapped,
and all who carry heavy burdens.
We make our prayer through the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

With Jesus,
let us pray to the Father to set us free
from the darkness of sin:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord  [based on 2nd Reading]

Deliver us, Lord,
from the darkness of selfishness and sin,
and, in your mercy,
let the light of your love shine upon us,
as we prepare in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord, Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
I leave you peace, my peace I give you.
Purify your Church,
that it may bear witness to the light of the gospel
in a world torn by strife
and often devastated by natural disaster.
Grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever.

Exchange of Peace
As we exchange a sign of peace
we pray that God may open our eyes
to see his Son in one another.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      Eternal Father,
        may our sharing of this one BREAD and one CUP
        be our pledge to live in your Spirit.
        For when we eat this bread and drink this wine
        we proclaim the death of the Lord Jesus
        until he comes in glory.:
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

This is Jesus the Lord
who is our light, our joy, and our salvation.
Blessed are we who believe in him
and are invited to share in his banquet.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

Source of light and life,
you spoke your powerful word to the world
and there was light.
In this Eucharist you have led us to restful waters;
you refreshed us and spread your table before us.
Help us to live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May the Lord cure all our ills,
that we may see him more clearly,
follow him more nearly,
and love him more dearly through all our days. AMEN.

And may God bless you +
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Go now….. and live as children of light.