Liturgy Alive 6th day Octave of Christmas
Introduction
To thank God for the liberation he brings us in and through his Son Jesus is the core of every eucharistic celebration. There we say: “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” With the prophetess Anna, let us express our thanks for our liberation to the Lord our God and praise him wholeheartedly.
Too easily, as St John says, we lose our heart to the world; we follow its ways of thinking and acting. Let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
Opening
Almighty Father,
you let humble, faithful people
recognize your Son
and welcome him as the Savior
who brought freedom and life to his people.
May we too recognize and welcome Jesus
in all that is little and humble
and with him grow up in wisdom and grace
to the maturity of your sons and daughters,
so that we attain the full stature of Jesus.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
General Intercessions
– For fathers and mothers, that they may give their children the freedom to be themselves and to grow up as mature, responsible Christians, we pray:
– For all young people, that they may come to love Christ deeply and let his word take roots and grow in them, we pray:
– For small children, that they may come to love God through their experience of their parent’s love, we pray:
– For all of us, God’s children, that we may seek God’s will in all we do and form communities where we care for one another, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
through the food and drink of the eucharist
appease our hunger
and quench our thirst
for all that is good in your sight.
We offer ourselves
together with your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
here in this eucharist
your Son Jesus has offered us
his liberation and victory
to overcome in this world
evil in us and around us.
Dispose us to receive always with gratitude
the life and the light of Jesus
and to follow in his footsteps,
for he is our Lord for ever and ever.
Blessing
Old people, Anna as well as Simeon, women as well as men, often see with eyes the mysteries of God with a perspicacity that puts to shame theologians and holders of degrees. That is what they learn through prayer and reflection. May God bless these wise people, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
