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Sign
of the Cross
Greeting
May
God,
who has called us to life through the death
and resurrection of Jesus,
be with you all.
Introduction
In
today's Gospel we become part of a familiar scene,
namely, people weeping over the death of a loved one.
Jesus is at the center of that scene.
He is the one who gives hope to us who
are constantly surrounded by death. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise the dead to life in the Spirit:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you bring pardon and peace to the sinner:
Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus,
you bring light to those who live in darkness
and the shadow of death:
Lord, have mercy.
Opening
Prayer
Merciful
God,
you showed your glory to us all
by sending your Son
to conquer the powers of death
and call us forth into life.
Break the bonds which hold us,
that we may believe and proclaim Christ,
the source of life,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.
Liturgy
of the Word
Homily
Introduction
to the Profession of Faith
Jesus
asks Martha and Mary if they really believe
that he is the resurrection and the life.
With them we now profess our faith as we pray:
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
P
In
prayer, we now turn to the Father who, through the life, death and
resurrection
of Jesus, promises eternal life to those who believe.
With
confidence we pray:
CM
God of life, hear
our prayer. (Please repeat)
- For
the Church; (pause) that it may radiate hope
in a world groaning in agony because of ethnic wars,
terrorism, violation of human rights and poverty;
let us pray to the Lord:
- For
those who, like Martha and Mary,
are mourning the death of their loved ones;
that may be strengthened by their faith in Jesus,
the resurrection and the life;
let us pray to the Lord:
- For
all those whose lives are being destroyed by drugs,
alcohol or gambling; (pause)
that the warmth of God's love may give them courage
to overcome their addiction; let us pray to the Lord:
- For
the sick and the dying: (pause)
that they may find a Martha or a Mary
who will bring Jesus to them; and may their illness,
like that of Lazarus, help them to see the glory of God:
let us pray to the Lord:
[The
Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]
P Father,
we thank you for hearing us.
We know that you always
hear us.
Grant these petitions that
we have made in the name of Jesus -
the one who raises us up
to live with you for ever. AMEN.
Prayer
over the Gifts
God
our Father,
your Son Jesus has given meaning
to death as well as to life.
In his own body he experienced our sufferings
and died our death.
As we join him in his sacrifice,
help us to bear with him the burdens of our brothers and sisters,
that with him we may live with you forever and ever. AMEN.
Invitation
to the Lord’s Prayer
With
the Spirit of Jesus who dwells in our hearts
and who cries: "Abba! Father!"
we can say with confidence:
Our Father ...
Deliver
us Lord
Deliver
us, Lord, from every evil.
Open the graves where our hearts are imprisoned,
and untie the bonds
that prevent us from witnessing
to the Spirit that dwells within us,
as we wait in hope
for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
for Peace
Lord,
Jesus Christ, you said to Martha:
"I am the resurrection and the life.
Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die".
Look on the faith of your Church,
so that we can say with Martha,
"We believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God,
the one coming into the world"
where you live for ever and ever.
Exchange
of Peace
The Spirit of God dwells in us
so let us offer one another a sign of peace.
Optional
Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’
P
Our Father gives us the bread from heaven
and the saving cup
brimming with life and joy.
May this bread broken
and cup poured
link us together
in charity and peace
so that we may be
living signs of the Lord's kingdom:
A LAMB OF GOD.....
Invitation
to Communion
This
is Jesus who says to us:
"Those who eat my body and drink my blood have eternal life,
and I will raise them up on the last day".
Blessed are we who are invited to this banquet of life.
Lord, I am not worthy…
Prayer
after Communion
God
of all that lives,
your Son Jesus has reassured us in this Eucharist
that he is 'the resurrection and the life.'
May he nourish this life within us
and give us a share in the joys
that you have prepared for those who believe
that he is the Messiah who has come into this world.
All this we ask in the name of the same Christ our Lord. AMEN.
Solemn
Blessing
May
Jesus, who loved Martha and Mary,
pour out his love upon you. AMEN.
May Jesus, who wept at the tomb of his friend, Lazarus,
comfort you in your sorrows. AMEN.
May Jesus, who put his Spirit into your hearts,
raise you up on the last day. AMEN.
And may the God of life, +
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless you and keep you in his love. AMEN.
Dismissal
Jesus
is our life and our resurrection.
Let us go and proclaim this in word and deed.
For
Churches that use SYMBOLS to highlight the Theme here are 3 suggestions:
o Display of Death / Obituary Notices from the local newspapers.
o A Stand with a Condolence book borrowed from a local Funeral Home.
o Cross with a 'Crown of glory'.
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