Acts 15:1–2, 22–29
It has been decided by the Holy Spirit and ourselves not to burden you beyond what is essential.
Psalm 66(67):2–3, 5–6, 8
R. O God, let all the nations praise you!
Apocalypse 21:10–14, 22–23
He showed me the holy city coming down out of heaven.
John 14:23
All who love me will keep my words, and my Father will love them and we will come to him.
John 14:23–29
The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
In the celebration of Mass the faithful form a holy people, a people whom God has made his own, a royal priesthood, so that they may give thanks to God and offer the spotless Victim not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him, and so that they may learn to offer themselves.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §95
One image of the Church is that of the new Jerusalem—a temple founded on, and enlightened by, the Lamb of God. As God’s holy people, we exercise our royal priesthood at every Sunday celebration by gathering to hear the Word of God; interceding for the world’s needs; offering ourselves on the table of the altar; and receiving the consecrated bread and wine. We do this so that we may go out and consecrate our world to the glory of God.
‘Proclaim a joyful sound and let it be heard; proclaim to the ends of the earth: The Lord has freed his people, alleluia.’
—entrance antiphon
Acts 14:21–27
They assembled the church and gave an account of all that God had done with them.
Psalm 144(145):8–13a
R. I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Apocalypse 21:1–5
He will wipe away all the tears from their eyes.
John 13:34
I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you.
John 13:31–35
I give you a new commandment: love one another.
In proclaiming the Year of the Eucharist in 2004, St John Paul II wrote:
We cannot delude ourselves: by our mutual love and, in particular, by our concern for those in need we will be recognised as true followers of Christ. This will be the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebrations is judged.
—Mane Nobiscum Domine, §28
Our readings today once again invite us to an examination of conscience. How do we live in alignment with the criterion highlighted by St John Paul II? Our Easter season reminds us of the glory that is bestowed on us in baptism, in which we become the children of God. Just as our God has loved us, so too must we love one another.
‘O sing a new song to the Lord, for he has worked wonders; in the sight of the nations he has shown his deliverance, alleluia.’
—entrance antiphon
Acts 13:14, 43–52
We are now turning to the Gentiles.
Psalm 99(100):1–3, 5
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Apocalypse 7:9, 14–17
The Lamb who is at the throne will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water.
John 10:14
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
John 10:27–30
I give my sheep eternal life.
On Sundays, especially in Easter Time, the blessing and sprinkling of water as a memorial of Baptism may take place from time to time in all churches and chapels, even in Masses anticipated on Saturday evenings. If this rite is celebrated during Mass, it takes the place of the usual Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass.
—Roman Missal, p. 1358
Given the close connection between the Easter season and the celebration of Christian initiation, it is helpful to include the blessing of water in place of the penitential act. This inclusion reminds us that through our washing in water and consecration by anointing in confirmation, we are sharers in Christ—priest, prophet and king. As God’s priestly people, we gather for Mass to exercise this priesthood through sacrifice and thanksgiving.
‘The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.’
—entrance antiphon
Acts 5:27–32, 40–41
We are witnesses to all this: we and the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 29(30):2, 4–6, 11–13
R. I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me.
Apocalypse 5:11–14
The Lamb that was sacrificed is worthy to be given riches and power.
cf. Luke 24:32
Lord Jesus, make your word plain to us: make our hearts burn with love when you speak.
John 21:1–19
Jesus stepped forward, took the bread and gave it to them, and the same with the fish.
Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.
—Order of the Mass, §132
We prepare for Communion with these words, which are taken from St John the Baptist and the Book of Apocalypse. We are also reminded of the gift that Christ has given us through his paschal mystery: a share in his divine life. As St Augustine stated, ‘Christ became human so we may become divine.’ Our brothers and sisters in the Catholic Maronite Church echo this theme in their invitation to Communion: ‘Holy things for the holy people’. How blessed are we who are called to the supper of the Lamb.
‘Cry out with joy to God, all the earth; O sing to the glory of his name. O render him glorious praise, alleluia.’
—entrance antiphon
Acts 5:12–16
The numbers of men and women who came to believe in the Lord increased steadily.
Psalm 117(118):2–4, 22–27
R. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love is everlasting.
Apocalypse 1:9–13, 17–19
I was dead, and now I am to live for ever and ever.
John 20:29
You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; happy are those who have not seen me, but still believe!
John 20:19–31
Eight days later, Jesus came again and stood among them.
Christ yesterday and today the Beginning and the End the Alpha and the Omega. All time belongs to him and all the ages. To him be glory and power through every age and for ever. Amen.
—Easter Vigil, §11
With these words, our paschal candle was prepared at the Easter Vigil before it was lit from the new fire. We affirm the majesty of our Lord and Master as the Alpha, the beginning of all that we enjoy. We also acknowledge Christ as the Omega, the end point of all creation. This end point will be fully realised when we, the holy people of God, live fully the life that has been entrusted to us. It is with us that Christ will be fully the Omega.
‘Like newborn infants, you must long for the pure, spiritual milk, that in him you may grow to salvation, alleluia.’
—entrance antiphon
The God of love is with us. As children of that love, we now pray confidently in Jesus’ name and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
We pray for Pope Leo and all the bishops and priests of the Church. Having been ordained in the Trinity, may the Holy Spirit continue to be their source of wisdom as they reach out to all peoples.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all Christians who have been baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. May their responses in faith and love strengthen their communion in the Body of Christ.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
As we begin National Refugee Week, we pray for all people who were and are forced to leave their homelands and seek asylum in foreign lands. May they find safety and refuge in lands that welcome them.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. Baptised in the Trinity, may we proclaim the Gospel to the world through the way we live.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries we recall at this time. May they now share in the fullness of the life of the Trinity.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of mercy and compassion, look kindly upon us. Guide your Church and this world according to your truth so that all may come to know your saving love. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Through the gift of the Spirit, God has breathed into us new life and hope. May our prayers be a sign of that new life for others.
We pray for Pope Leo and all the bishops and priests of our Church. May the Holy Spirit inspire them to speak in a way that reaches the hearts of their people.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world’s leaders at all levels. May they be filled with the spirit of goodwill and become a true united witness that gives hope to all people.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who have turned away from the Church. May they be encouraged by the example of faithful followers to once again walk in Jesus’ footsteps and feel the peace he has promised us all.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our own faith community. May we each recognise the gifts of the Holy Spirit that we have received, and may we use them for the betterment of ourselves and others.
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 for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they be raised in the Spirit of Jesus to share eternal life with him.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Father of all, hear our prayers as we ask for peace, justice and healing in our world and in our Church. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Christ is with us always. In his name, we gather our prayers of petition and offer them before the throne of divine glory.
We pray for Pope Leo and the bishops of our Church. We entrust their leadership to the inspiration of the Spirit, which Jesus promised would remind us of all that he said.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we pray for the leaders of all churches and religious groups. May they be open to the Spirit that Jesus promised, and may this unite all Christians as a testament to God’s presence in our world.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all those who were received into the Church during the Easter celebrations, as they reflect on the sacraments they received. Being open to the Spirit, may they bring forth the fruits promised by Jesus.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. Moved by the Spirit, may we continue to grow in faith as we seek to follow Jesus more closely.
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 for all those whose anniversaries we recall. May God reward their faith and lead them to the fullness of eternal life.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
As your people, O God, you have called us to a stewardship of prayer. We entrust to you our prayers today, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Jesus offers the gift of peace—a peace that the world cannot offer. We pray that God’s peace may fill the world and bring it to wholeness.
We pray for Pope Francis and the bishops as successors of the apostles. May they be guided in their leadership by the Spirit that Jesus promised to send, and may the Spirit remind us of all he has taught us.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for leadership at every level. May the promise of the Spirit’s presence encourage all cultures to be open and to share with one another.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
As we now begin National Reconciliation Week, we pray that we will move forward and create a nation that is strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community as we celebrate the Eucharist together. May the peace we offer each other stay with us, so that we may share with others in our daily lives.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who are sick and for all who care for them.
We pray for those who have died recently in the peace of Christ and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they rejoice in the presence of God’s unconditional love.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, we are mindful of the Holy Spirit, who guides us in everything that your Son has taught us. We ask that our prayers reflect the Spirit of our Saviour, teacher and Lord, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
We are Jesus’ disciples if we have love for one another—the kind of love that embraces the entire world. We open our hearts in prayer for those who need God’s healing, justice and peace the most.
We pray for Pope Francis and all Church leaders. May they be full of love and compassion as they minister in your name.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our world leaders. May God’s Spirit lead them towards policies that simultaneously promote good stewardship for a sustainable environment and respect for the dignity of every person.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our country this week. As we celebrate the feast of Our Lady Help of Christians, the Patron Saint of Australia, may we all commit ourselves to this great southern land of the Holy Spirit.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. May we never forget those who are less fortunate than ourselves.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all in our parish who are sick and for all who take care of them.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May their faith be rewarded now in the fullness of Christ’s new creation.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.
God of Mercy, receive these petitions today. Bring your love to encompass all that is unloving and broken in our world. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.