Acts 10:34, 37–43
‘We have eaten and drunk with him after his resurrection.’
Psalm 117(118):1–2, 16–17, 22–23
R. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.
Colossians 3:1–4
Look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
1 Corinthians 5:7–8
Christ has become our paschal sacrifice; let us feast with joy in the Lord.
John 20:1–9
He must rise from the dead.
Every week on the day which she has called the Lord’s Day, Mother Church keeps the memory of Christ’s resurrection. In the supreme solemnity of Easter she also makes an annual commemoration of the resurrection, along with the Lord’s blessed passion.
—Vatican II, Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, §102
Christ’s paschal mystery, which we have commemorated throughout the past week, is not parcelled up by its historical elements. Throughout the Sacred Triduum, we celebrate the one salvific event of Christ. So, each Sunday, when we gather to celebrate Mass, we enjoy the full mystery of Christ, who has died and risen so that we may live.
‘Look upon your Church, O God, with unfailing love and favour, so that, renewed by the paschal mysteries, she may come to the glory of the resurrection.’
—prayer after Communion
Isaiah 50:4–7
I did not cover my face against insult: I know I shall not be shamed.
Psalm 21(22):8–9, 17–20, 23–24
R. My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Philippians 2:6–11
Christ humbled himself but God raised him high.
Philippians 2:8–9
Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on the cross. Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above all other names.
Matthew 26:14–27:66
The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
The Liturgy of the Word is to be celebrated in such a way as to promote meditation, and so any sort of haste that hinders recollection must clearly be avoided. During the Liturgy of the Word, it is also appropriate to include brief periods of silence, adapted to the gathered assembly.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal §56
It is tempting on this Sunday to abbreviate or rush the proclamation of the Word. However, we are reminded that the Word needs to be well proclaimed to foster meditation. While the Scriptures today are long, they can be well proclaimed and engage the hearers. At other times, attention can be gained by dress or movements. Today the liturgy uses only the clear human voice, prepared by the reader to engage the assembly.
‘Nourished with these sacred gifts, we humbly beseech you, O Lord, that, just as through the death of your Son you have brought us to hope for what we believe, so by his Resurrection you may lead us to where you call.’
—prayer after Communion
Ezekiel 37:12–14
I shall put my spirit in you, and you will live.
Psalm 129(130)
R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Romans 8:8–11
The Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you.
John 11:25, 26
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me will not die for ever.
John 11:1–45
I am the resurrection and the life.
The priest stands at the chair and, together with the whole gathering, makes the Sign of the Cross. Then he signifies the presence of the Lord to the community gathered there by means of the Greeting. By this greeting and the people’s response, the mystery of the Church gathered together is made manifest.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §50
We profess the fourfold presence of Christ in the Mass: in the assembly, in the Word proclaimed, in the priest acting in persona Christi, and, pre-eminently (above all else) in the Eucharist. We ritualise and affirm that presence of Christ in the assembly by the greeting and response of the people of God.
‘We pray, almighty God, that we may always be counted among the members of Christ, in whose Body and Blood we have communion.’
—prayer after Communion
1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13
David is anointed by Samuel.
Psalm 22(23)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Ephesians 5:8–14
Anything exposed by the light will turn into light.
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
John 9:1–41
The blind man went off and washed himself, and came away with his sight restored.
A common posture, to be observed by all participants, is a sign of the unity of the members of the Christian community gathered for the sacred Liturgy: it both expresses and fosters the intention and spiritual attitude.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §42
We can take for granted the many postures and gestures we share during the celebration of Mass. We join often in word and song throughout the celebration—our unity of voice should give expression to our unity of hearts. Then we sign ourselves with the cross, we stand attentive to the mystery we celebrate, we sit and sometimes kneel. Our unity in posture should express our unity of heart—our desire to be one with the assembly—and so we sustain one another.
‘Look upon those who call to you, O Lord, and sustain the weak; give life by your unfailing light to those who walk in the shadow of death, and bring those rescued by your mercy from every evil to reach the highest good.’ —prayer after Communion
Exodus 17:3–7
Strike the rock, and water will flow from it.
Psalm 94(95):1–2, 6–9
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Romans 5:1–2, 5–8
The love of God has been poured into our hearts.
c.f. John 4:42, 15
Lord, you are truly the Saviour of the world; give me living water, that I may never thirst again.
John 4:5–42
A spring of water welling up to eternal life
Baptism is the sacrament by which its recipients are incorporated into the Church and are built up together in the Spirit into a house where God lives, into a holy nation and a royal priesthood. Baptism is the sacramental bond of unity linking all who have been signed by it.
—Christian Initiation: General Introduction, §4
Once we have been baptised, we are drawn into a unity that transcends all boundaries of age, race or culture. We are called then to allow that unity to shine in our relations with all people. This unity must be expressed when we gather for Sunday Mass as we again share in our Communion with Christ and with one another. We must take that blessing of unity into our lives.
‘As we receive the pledge of things yet hidden in heaven and are nourished while still on earth with the Bread that comes from on high, we humbly entreat you, O Lord, that what is being brought about in us in mystery may come to true completion.’
—prayer after Communion
Genesis 12:1–4
All the tribes of the earth shall bless themselves by you.
Psalm 32(33):4–5, 18–20, 22
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
2 Timothy 1:8–10
God calls and enlightens us.
Matthew 17:5
From the shining cloud the Father’s voice is heard: this is my beloved Son, hear him.
Matthew 17:1–9
His face shone like the sun.
Though holy in its origin, [the People of God] nevertheless grows continually in holiness by its conscious, active, and fruitful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §5
By the waters of baptism and the gift of the Holy Spirit in confirmation, we are the children of God. We are thus empowered to fully share in the celebration of the Eucharist. Our weekly participation in Sunday Mass sustains us in our path of holiness. This participation calls us to be attentive hearers of God’s Word and to offer ourselves in union with the sacrifice of the Mass. Together we unite the sacrifices of the past week with the sacrifice of Calvary, re-presented for us here and now for our redemption.
‘As we receive these glorious mysteries, we make thanksgiving to you, O Lord, for allowing us while still on earth to be partakers even now of the things of heaven.’
—prayer after Communion
Genesis 2:7–9, 3:1–7
The Creation, and the sin of our first parents
Psalm 50(51):3–6, 12–14, 17
R. Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.
Romans 5:12–19
However great the number of sins committed, grace was even greater
Matthew 4:4
No one lives on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.
Matthew 4:1–11
The temptation in the wilderness
Joined to the Church, catechumens are now part of the Household of Christ, since the Church nourishes them with the Word of God and sustains them by means of liturgical celebrations.
—Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, §47
This Lent, the Sunday cycle of readings is the series dedicated to the process of initiation—so at every Mass in the parish, we will be using the same readings, particularly the gospel cycle. These gospels tell the great story of our salvation in Christ: Jesus, who was tempted and remained faithful, was then transfigured to encourage his disciples; he gives sight to the blind, and promises the water of eternal life. The Word of God forms both catechumens on their way to baptism and the baptised community for their life.
‘Renewed now with heavenly bread, by which faith is nourished, hope increased, and charity strengthened, we pray, O Lord, that we may learn to hunger for Christ, the true and living Bread, and strive to live by every word which proceeds from your mouth.’
—prayer after Communion
Ecclesiasticus 15:16–21
God predestined wisdom to be for our glory before the ages began.
Psalm 118(119):1–2, 4–5, 17–18, 33–34
R. Happy are they who follow the law of the Lord!
1 Corinthians 2:6–10
God predestined wisdom to be for our glory before the ages began.
cf. Matthew 11:25
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth; you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
Matthew 5:17–37
You have learnt how it was said to our ancestors; but I say this to you.
Now the centre and summit of the entire celebration begins, namely, the Eucharistic Prayer, that is, the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. The priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the Prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, the meaning of the Prayer is that the entire congregation of the faithful should join itself with Christ in confessing the great deeds of God and in the offering of sacrifice.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §78
Full, active and conscious participation is required by all the community in the eucharistic prayer, which is the centre and summit of the entire celebration. We are invited to lift up our hearts and then begin to give our praise and thanks to our God. Here also we offer the spiritual sacrifices that have been our daily life over the past week. Our presiding celebrant must ensure that his leading of this prayer invites us to each make our contribution.
‘Be my protector, O God, a mighty stronghold to save me. For you are my rock, my stronghold! Lead me, guide me, for the sake of your name.’ —entrance antiphon
Isaiah 58:7–10
Then will your light shine like the dawn.
Psalm 111(112):4-9
R. A light rises in the darkness for the upright.
1 Corinthians 2:1–5
The only knowledge I claimed was of the crucified Christ.
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord; the man who follows me will have the light of life.
Matthew 5:13–16
Your light must shine in the sight of men.
In the General Intercessions or the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §69
As we come together each Sunday, we are invited to bring our prayer for the world and all its need. We do not come alone in this prayer, but we come as the one Body of Christ. United as one, we intercede for the many needs of our community with a view to the wider Church. As the priestly people of God, we can be confident that God will respond.
‘O come, let us worship God and bow low before the God who made us, for he is the Lord our God.’ —entrance antiphon
We are witnesses to the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He is the one appointed by God through whom we offer our prayers of petition.
We pray for Pope Leo, the bishops and all teachers in the Church. Through their words and actions, may the Easter message spread throughout the world.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all Church agencies and outreach programs. May their efforts be stimulated by the generosity of all who contributed to Project Compassion.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who have been received into the Church this Easter. May they be encouraged, in the spirit of Jesus, to grow in the faith they now share with us.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
As we are privileged to share at the altar of the Lord, we pray for Christians around the world who are denied this blessing because of persecution or natural disasters.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick of our parish and for all who have asked for our prayers.
We pray for those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they now rejoice in the presence of God’s unconditional love.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of life, receive these prayers of intercession. Let your mercy flow in abundance upon all who are in need. We make our prayer through Christ, the risen Lord.
Amen.