First Sunday of Advent
November 28, 2010, Cycle A
Purple priestly vestments symbolize penance and preparation.


Home Page
Liturgical Cycles A 10-11

                                     Introductory Acts Of Worship

The Entrance Prayers:   On Sunday, usually a hymn praising God is sung in place of reciting a Psalm from the Bible which invites us to enter more deeply into the mystery of God's love for us.  The recited weekday Psalm expresses a youthful heart and spirit, delighted that we may come before the living God.

Entrance Song / Entrance Psalm (Antiphon)           
Entrance Song
Psalm  24:1-3
To you, my God I lift my soul, I trust in you; let me never come to shame.  Do not let my enemies laugh at me.  No one who waits for you is ever put to shame.

The Priest Approaches and Kisses the Altar:  The altar is a symbol of Christ.  In it are cut five crosses to recall the five wounds of Christ.  The altar also represents the Church and has embedded in it the relics of her saints.  The priest comes to the altar to celebrate the Sacrifice in the Church's name.  Because of the glory surrounding the altar upon which the divine Sacrifice will be made, the kiss of the priest unites the Church to Christ, its Redeemer.

Priest:   In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All:         
Amen.

The Greeting:  We are welcomed in God's name.  Our response unites us to our neighbor, to the priest and to God.  (The priest may select from several forms of greeting).

Priest:  
The Lord be with you.
All:          
And also with you.


The Penitential Prayers:  We recognize our guilt for past sins, express our sorrow for them, and ask that Mary, the angels, the saints, and our brothers and sisters in Christ pray for the Lord God's mercy.  (The priest may select from several forms).

Priest:   As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ's love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength.
Priest:   You raise the dead to life in the Spirit; Lord, have mercy.
All:         Lord, have mercy.
Priest:   Y
ou bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
All:         Christ, have mercy.
Priest:   You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
All:         Lord have mercy.

The Absolution:

Priest:   May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
All:         Amen.

The Opening Prayer:    The priest lifts the united prayers and petitions of the congregation to God the Father through the merits of Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

Priest:  L
et us pray, All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with yo and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


                              Liturgy of the Word

Christ is made known to us through the Old Testament which prepares us to recognize Him.  In those days, God inspired men who spoke His message.  Now, the New Testament Gospel reading announces His presence to us directly through His Son.  Both readings bring God's message to us.  Our responsibility is to respond.


The First Reading:  From the Old Testament

Priest/Reader:   A reading from the prophet Isaiah

First Reading:   Isaiah 2:1-5

This is what Isaiah, son of Amos, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.  In days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above the hills.  All nations shall stream toward it; many peoples shall come and say: "Come, let us climb the Lord's mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths."  For from Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  He shall judge between the nations, and impose terms on many peoples.  They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; one nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again.  O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!

Priest/Reader:   The Word of the Lord.
All:                           T
hanks be to God.


The Responsorial Psalm:  This Psalm praising God, is a prayer to God, or recommends the practice of virtue.  It is sung as an interlude between the scriptural readings.  It provides yet another instructional setting and invites the assembly to imitate the cantor who sings a repeated response to the verses of an ancient Psalm many of which are attributed to King David.  The verses are sung first by a cantor (song leader) accompanied by instruments, the refrain is sung by the people. 


Psalm 122:1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Cantor:   Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Cantor:   I rejoiced because they said to me, "We will go up to the house of the Lord."  And now we have set foot within your gates, O Jerusalem.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Cantor:  Jerusalem, built as a city with compact unity.  To it the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Cantor:   According to the decree for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the Lord.  In it are set up judgment seats, seats for the house of David.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Cantor:    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!  May those who love you prosper!  May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Cantor:    Because of my brothers and friends I will say, "Peace be within you!"  Because of the house of the Lord, our God, I will pray for your good.
All:          R/.  Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

The Second Reading:  Taken  from the New Testament, often from a letter written by St. Paul.

Priest/Reader:        A
Reading from the second letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.  


Second Reading:   Romans 13:11-14

Brothers and sisters: You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep.  For our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.  Let us then throw off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves properly as in the day, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in promiscuity and lust, not in rivalry and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.

Priest/Reader:   The word of the Lord.
All:                            T
hanks be to God.  

   
The Alleluia:  An ancient expression of joy anticipating the Lord's message we will hear in the Gospel.
Psalm 85:8

Cantor:    A
lleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
ALL:  R/.  A
lleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Cantor:    L
ord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.
ALL:  R/.  Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
 

The Gospel:  The Liturgy of the Word is completed by the reading of the Gospel.  Before its reading, the members of the assembly trace the sign of the cross upon the forehead to indicate their mental acceptance of the Truth, on the lips to indicate their readiness to announce it, and over the heart to indicate their sincere desire to accept it into their lives.  The "Good News" of the Gospel tells that God's kingdom has come for all to hear, accept, and announce to the world for its salvation.  It is God who is speaking to us.  Christ comes to teach us by the example of His life and by His own words.

Priest:   C
leanse my heart and my lips, almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim your holy Gospel.  Through the words of the Gospel may our sins be wiped away.

Priest:   The Lord be with you.
All:           A
nd also with you.
Priest/Deacon:   A
reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.
All:                             G
lory to you, Lord.

The Gospel:   Matthew 24:37- 44

Matthew wrote to show that Christ was the
Messiah and fulfilled the Jewish prophecies.

Jesus said to his disciples: "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  In those days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day that Noah entered the ark.  They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away.  So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man.  Two men will be out in the field; one will be taken, and one will be left.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken, and one will be left.  Therefore, stay awake!  For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.  Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into.  So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."

Priest:   The Gospel of the Lord.
All:          P
raise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

The Priest's Sermon:    The priest develops, explains, and comments upon the Master's words, so our minds may be
enlightened, and our hearts enriched.

(A priestly reflection upon this Gospel)

Profession of Faith:     We state in the Nicene Creed the principles of our faith in precise and definite terms.

All:   I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.  I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages.  God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made.  For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.  He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.  He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.  I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.  I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.  I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come.  Amen.

General Intercessions:   We pray for the needs of the pope, civic leaders, our own needs, those of others, the sick, the dying, those who have died, the church, and the world.  The response of all to each intercession:  Lord, hear our prayer.

All:   L
ord, hear our prayer.

                  The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Gifts of bread and wine symbolizing ourselves are presented to the priest who will offer them to God the Father.  Through the Holy Spirit, they will become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ whom we receive in Holy Communion.  Jesus unites Himself with us for our spiritual nourishment and strength.  Today, when individuals do not present their own personal offerings of bread and wine, the monetary contribution symbolizes the material of their united sacrifice.  The priest makes and offering of the bread and wine to God.

Preparation of the Bread and Wine:

Priest:   B
lessed are you, Lord God of all creation, through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has
               given and human hands have made.  It will become for us the bread of life.
All:           Blessed be God for ever.

Priest:
    By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to
               share in our humanity.

Priest:   Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you; fruit
               of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink.

All:
           Blessed be God for ever.

Priest:    Lord God, we ask you to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer you with humble and contrite hearts.

The Priest's Hands are Washed: This act was traditionally necessary because the priest handled the various gifts presented by the people.  Now, the cleansing act using water reminds the priest and ourselves of the need to cleanse not only the hands but the soul.  Soon, the priest's hands will hold the actual body of Christ, and we will become His dwelling place.   

Priest:    Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleans me from my sin.
               Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.


All:           
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of his name, for our good, and the good of
               all his holy Church.

Prayer over the Gifts:  Speaking in our name, the priest asks the Father to accept the gifts we offer through him.

Priest:   Father, from all you give us we present this bread and wine.  As we serve you now, accept our offering and sustain us with your promise of eternal life.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.
All:           Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer:   (Number Two: The priest may select from several forms).

Priest:
    The Lord be with you.
All:           And also with you. 

Priest:
    Lift up your hearts.
All:           We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest:    Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
All:           It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface Prayer: 

Priest:    Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.  When he humbled himself to come among us as a man, he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation.  Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.  And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise.

Acclamation:

Priest and All:
   Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory.  Hosanna in the
highest.   Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.


Priest:   Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness.  Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
                                    
The priest repeats the words which Christ used at his Last Supper when He changed the bread into His Body and the wine into His Blood.  His Body and Blood are truly present but under the appearance of bread and wine.  The death of Christ is prolonged in each of those who receive Him worthily.  We apply His death to ourselves so that we may share His glory.  This moment is the most solemn on earth because it is Divine act which enables us to apply to ourselves the Cross which Christ willingly took upon Himself. 

We are called to die to sin and lift our very selves to God so that we become changed; to do as God would have us do, to become what God would have us become.  Our own little cross can lift us into union with Christ's Cross so we may earn the joys of everlasting happiness with God the Father. 

The Lord's Supper:   Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread and gave you thanks.  He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

Take this, all of you and eat of it: this is my Body which will be given up for you.

When supper was ended, He took the cup.  Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it; for this is the chalice of my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant.  It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.  Do this in memory of me.
                                   

Memorial Acclamation: (The priest may select from several forms). 

Priest:                   Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:
Priest and All:   Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Memorial Prayer:  (The priest may select from several forms).

Priest:  
Recalls Christ's Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, the Church, the dead, and ourselves.
I
n memory of His death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup.  We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.  May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit.  Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together with _____ our Pope, _____ our bishop, and all the clergy.  Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again; bring them and all the departed into the light of your presence.  Have mercy on us all; make us worthy to share eternal life with Mary, the virgin Mother of God, with the apostles, and with all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages.  May we praise you in union with them, and give you glory through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Through whom you continue to create all these good things, O Lord; you make them holy, fill them with life, bless them, and bestow them upon us.

Doxology:   
               
Prayer of Praise:  
Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. 
All:   Amen.      

                       Communion Rite

In the Liturgy of the Eucharist, we symbolically offer ourselves to the Lord through the gifts of bread and wine.  At the Consecration, we offer our very lives to be united the God the Father through the Cross of Christ.  In Communion, we find that we have not died at all, but have come to life.  We have surrendered ourselves to God through His Divine Son, Jesus Christ.  In return become ennobled and enriched.  We give up time and we get eternity, we give up our sin and we receive grace, we surrender our self-will and receive the strength of the Divine Will, we give up ourselves and we receive everything.  For the Son of God says to us that unless we receive Him we shall not have Divine life in us.  But it is not really we who receive Christ as it is Christ who receives us, bringing us into Himself.

God makes His Cross the very means of our salvation and our life.  While we have crucified Him, His eternal love cannot be extinguished.  Christ willed to give us the very life we crucified in our Redemption, the Consecration of Holy Thursday into Communion, His death into our everlasting life.

The Lord's Prayer:


Priest:
                Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.
Priest and All:   Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Prayer for Peace:

Priest:   Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles, peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
All:        Amen.                                     
Priest:   The peace of the Lord be with you always.
All:          And with your spirit.
Priest:   Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread:

Priest and All:
   Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
                                  Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
                                  Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

                                              Communion of the Priest:

Priest:   May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Priestly Preparation:   
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through  your death gave life to the world; free me by this your most holy Body and Blood from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you.

Priest:   This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Happy are those who are called to his supper. 

Priest and All:   
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Priest:   May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.
              May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

Communion Antiphon:

Communion Song: Psalm 84:13
T
he Lord will shower his gifts, and our land will yield its fruit.

Communion of the Faithful:

Priest:              The Body of Christ.    
The Faithful:   
Amen.
Priest:               
The Blood of Christ.   
The Faithful:   
Amen.

Cleansing of the Vessels:

Priest:   Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart.  May they bring me healing and strength, now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion:

Priest:
   Let us pray.
Priest:   Father, may our communion teach us to love heaven.  May its promise and hope guide our way on earth.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All:          Amen.

                                     Concluding Rite

Priest:   The Lord be with you.
All:          And also with you.
Priest:   Bow your heads and let us pray for God's blessing.

Dismissal Prayer:  (The priest may select from several forms)

Priest:   You believe that the Son of God once came to us; you look for him to come again.  May his coming bring you the light of his holiness and his blessing bring you freedom.
All:
         
Amen.
Priest:   May God make you steadfast in faith, joyful in hope, and untiring in love all the days of your life.
All:          Amen.
Priest:   You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as man.  When he comes again in glory, may he reward you with endless life.
All:          Amen.
Priest:   May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  
All:          Amen.

 O my Jesus, forgive us our sins. 
 
 Save us from the fires of hell. 
 
 Lead all souls to heaven,
 
 especially those in most need of your mercy.

 www.Divinemasterplanforlife.com
 www.Saintsnheaven.com

Top
Home Page
Liturgical Cycles A 10-11