Sign of the Cross

Greeting  

Praise to the Lord Jesus - the Son of Man -
who is coming with great power and glory.
May his grace be with you all.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

In our Gospel today, Jesus invites us to prepare for our death.
We do not know the day or the hour
but we must be ready when the Lord calls us.

Lord Jesus, you show us the path of life:
Lord, have mercy.

You, yourself, are all I have, and you give me all I need:
Christ have mercy.

Your word will not pass away;
You alone have the words of eternal life:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
Creator God,
from the ends of the earth
you gather a people you call your own.

Confirm us in the strength of your abiding word.
Steady our hearts in the time of trial,
so that on the day of the Son of Man
we may without fear rejoice to behold him as he comes.

All this we ask through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Option B
You keep vigil, O God,
over the lives of your people,
guiding their destiny as the history of the world unfolds.

Increase our faith
that those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall rise again.

As you gather your elect from the ends of the earth,
count us also among those
whose names are written in the Book of Life.

We ask this through the Christ
who was, who is and who is to come:
your Son who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

P       Until the Lord comes,
we are pledged to hold fast to his words and be constant in our faith.
Let us pray for one another that the Lord will find us ready.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, keep us in your love.
           (Please repeat)

1. For those in charge of social and political affairs in
   our country: (pause)
   May they see themselves not as proprietors but administrators of the
   duties entrusted to them, and accountable to the people and to the Lord.
   We pray in hope:
   
2. For those overcome by fear and anxiety: (pause)
   that the Lord will console them in their time of distress
   and give them new reason to hope in his name.
   We pray in hope:
   
3. That nations and peoples engulfed in conflict may find the
   path to peace and discover ways to build bridges of reconciliation
   and forgiveness. We pray in hope:
   
4. For ourselves: (pause)
   that we may prepare for the coming of the kingdom by lives of truth,
   honesty and goodness.
   We pray in hope:
5. For our beloved dead. (pause)
   May you bring them into your kingdom of light, happiness and peace.
   We pray in hope:
   

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

P    God our Father,
      you know the day and the hour
      when this world, as we know it, will come to an end.
      As we offer these prayers,
      we place ourselves in your provident care.
      We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Grant, O Lord,
that the gifts we present
maybe pleasing in your eyes.
Make us watchful
and keep us faithful
as we await the coming of your Son
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.  AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

As we look forward to the coming of Christ in glory,
we say together in love and trust:
Our Father ..

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free
from violence, earthquakes, famine and fear.
Help us to prepare in hope
for the day and hour that no one knows,
the day of the final coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles:
"Watch and pray

for you do not know the day or the hour."
Grant that we will always remain alert
and be prepared to enter your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
Jesus was offered as the ransom for our sins,
and made our peace with God.
Let us offer each other 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.
         May this bread broken and cup poured
         link us together so that we may be living
         signs of the Lord's kingdom.
       
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

They will come from east and west and from north and south
to sit at the table in the kingdom of God.
Blessed are those who are called now to the banquet of the Lamb.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   [based on 2nd Reading]

Lord God,
we thank you for the gift of Jesus, your Son.
We thank you too for the many other gifts you have given us.
May we use them for your greater honor and glory
by being good and faithful servants
reaching out to the poor and needy.
All this we ask through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing (based on Psalm 16)

May the Lord show you the path of life. AMEN

May the Lord grant you the fullness of joy in his presence. AMEN

May you rejoice in happiness with him forever. AMEN

May almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN

Dismissal     

Option A
Our celebration is ended.
Go in peace and prepare for the coming of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Option B
In the name of Jesus Christ the faithful witness,
who is, who was and who is to come,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.