Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 15, 2011, Cycle A
White priestly vestments symbolize purity and integrity of the life of faith.

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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 32:5-6  T
he earth is full of the goodness of the Lord; by the word of the Lord the heavens were made, alleluia.

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:   My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
Priest:   Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father:  Lord, have mercy.
All:        Lord, have mercy.
Priest:   Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth:  Christ, have mercy.
All:        Christ, have mercy.
Priest:   Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life:  Lord, have mercy.
Priest:   Lord Jesus, 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 Gloria:  The Glory of God prayers have existed from the second century.  They repeat the angels praise of God which heralded the birth of Christ on earth.  Our praise is lifted again through the years as we rejoice at His coming as Lord, God, the most high Jesus Christ, who at Christmas took on our human nature while at the same time being the son of Man. This ancient hymn expresses our recognition of God's glory and love.  It calls upon Christ as our holy and divine mediator, and the Holy Spirit who forever binds us together in God's love.

Priest and All:   Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.  Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thinks, we praise you for your glory.  Lord Jesus Christ, only son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.  For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.  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:   Almighty and ever-living God, give us new strength from the courage of Christ our shepherd, and lead us to join the saints in heaven, where he lives and reigns with you 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 book, Acts of the Apostles.

First Reading:  Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?”  Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”   He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.

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 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Cantor:   T
he Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
All:          The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Cantor:   The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
All:          The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Cantor:   He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.  Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
All:          The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Cantor:   You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
All:          The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Cantor:   Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.
All:          The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

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

Second Reading:   1 Peter 2:20b-25

B
eloved
: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.  For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.  He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.  He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed.  For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

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.

John 10:14

Cantor:    Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
All:           Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!
Cantor:    I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
All:           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 John.
All:                             G
lory to you, Lord.

The Gospel:   John 10:1-10

 John wrote to show that Christ was
the Messiah, the Divine Son of God.

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.  But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.  But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”  Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep.  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.  I am the gate.  Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.  A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Priest/Deacon:   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:   We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.  We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.  Through him all things were made.  For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man.  For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried.  On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of 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.  We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the son.  With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.  He has spoken through the Prophets.  We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.  We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.  We 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:   Lord, 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.

Preparation of the Bread and Wine:

Priest:   Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you;
               fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
All:           Blessed be God for ever.

Priest:   B
y 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 traditional 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; cleanse 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:   Lord, restore us by these Easter mysteries.  May the continuing work of our redeemer bring us eternal joy.  We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Eucharistic Prayer:   (Number Three: 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:

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord.  We praise you with greater joy than ever in this Easter season, when Christ became our paschal sacrifice.  In him a new age has dawned, the long reign of sin is ended, a broken world has been renewed, and man is once again made whole.  The joy of the resurrection renews the whole world, while the choirs of heaven sing for ever to your glory:

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:    Father, you are holy indeed, and all creation rightly gives you praise.  All life, all holiness comes from you through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, by the working of the Holy Spirit.  From age to age you gather a people to yourself, so that from east to west a perfect offering may be made to the glory of your name.

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:   And so, Father, we bring you these gifts.  We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit, that they may become the body and blood of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this Eucharist.  On the night he was betrayed, he took bread and gave you thanks and praise.  He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

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

                                   
In a similar way, when supper was ended, He took this precious chalice in His holy and venerable hands, and once more giving you thanks, He said the blessing and gave the chalice to His disciples, saying:

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; which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.  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:  
Recalling Christ's Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension:   Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation, his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven, and ready to greet him when he comes again, we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.  Look with favor on your Church's offering, and see the Victim whom death has reconciled us to yourself.  Grant that we, who are nourished by his body and blood, may be filled with this Holy Spirit, and become one body, one spirit in Christ.

For Those  Present:   May he make us an everlasting gift to you and enable us to share in the inheritance of your saints, with Mary, the virgin Mother of God; with the apostles, the martyrs, and all your saints, on whose constant intercession we rely for help.  Lord, may this sacrifice, which has made our peace with you, advance the peace and salvation of all the world.  Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth; your servant, Pope _____, our bishop _____, and all the bishops, with the clergy and the entire people your Son has gained for you.  Father, hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you.  In mercy and love unite all your children wherever they may be.

For the Dead:   Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters, and all who have left this world in your friendship.

For Ourselves:   We hope to enjoy for ever the vision of your glory, through Christ our Lord, from whom all good things come.

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 with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave 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.
                                     

Priest:
   Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day.  In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. 
All:        For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours, now and for ever.

                                                                           

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 her peace and unity in accordance with your will.  Who live and reign 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:
T
he Good Shepherd is risen!  He who lid down his life for his sheep, who died for his flock, he is risen,. alleluia.

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:   L
ord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart.  May they bring me haling and strength, now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion:

Priest:
   Let us pray.
Priest:   Father, eternal shepherd, watch over the flock redeemed by the blood of Christ and lead us to the promised land.  Grant this through Christ our Lord.

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:   Through the resurrection of his Son God has redeemed you and made you his children.  May he bless you with joy.
The Faithful:   Amen.
Priest:   The Redeemer has given you lasting freedom.  May you inherit his everlasting life.
The Faithful:   Amen.
Priest:   By faith you  rose with him in baptism.  May your lives bee holy, so that you will be united with him for ever.
The Faithful:   Amen.

Priest:   M
ay almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Faithful:   Thanks be to God.

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.
 
 
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Liturgical Cycles A 10-11