Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion
April 17, 2011 Cycle A
Purple priestly vestments symbolize penance and preparation.

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                 Commemoration of the Lord's Entrance into Jerusalem

The Procession

Entrance Song
Matthew 21:9  H
osanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.

Priest:  Dear friends in Christ, for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self-sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery.  Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world.  Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again.  Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith.  United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.

Priest:  Let us pray.  Almighty God, we pray you bless these branches and make them holy.  Today we joyfully acclaim Jesus our Messiah and King.  May we reach one day the happiness of the new and eveerlasting Jerusalem by faithfully following him who lives and reigns for ever and ever.

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 21:1-11

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

When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tethered, and a colt with her.  Untie them and bring them here to me.  And if anyone should say anything to you , reply, ‘The master has need of them.’  Then he will send them at once.”  This happened so that what had been spoken through the prophet might be fulfilled: Say to daughter Zion, “Behold, your king comes to you, meek and riding on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.”

The disciples went and did as Jesus had ordered them.  They brought the ass and the colt and laid their cloaks over them, and he sat upon them.  The very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and strewed them on the road.  The crowds preceding him and those following kept crying out and saying: “Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest.”

And when he entered Jerusalem the whole city was shaken and asked, “Who is this?”  And the crowds replied, “This is Jesus the prophet, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

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 23:9-10 
Open wide the doors and gates.  Lift high the ancient portals.  The King of glory enters.  Who is this King of glory?  He is God the mighty Lord.  Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed are you who have come to us so rich in love and mercy.  Hosanna in the highest.

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.  Almighty, ever-living God, you have given the human race Jesus Christ our Savior as a model of humility.  He fulfilled your will by becoming man and giving his life on the cross.  Help us to bear witness to you by following his example of suffering and make us worthy to share in his resurrection.  We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your son, who 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 prophet Isaiah. 

First Reading:  Isaiah 50:4-7
T
he Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them.  Morning after morning he opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back.  I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting.  The Lord God is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame.

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 22:2a; 22:8-9, 17, 18, 19-20, 23-24
Cantor:   My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
All:          My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Cantor:   A
ll who see me scoff at me; they mock me with parted lips, they wag their heads: “He relied on the Lord; let him deliver him, let him rescue him, if he loves him.”
All:          My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Cantor:   Indeed, many dogs surround me, a pack of evildoers closes in upon me; they have pierced my hands and my feet; I can count all my bones.
All:          My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Cantor:   They divide my garments among them, and for my vesture they cast lots.  But you, O Lord, be not far from me; O my help hasten to aid me.
All:          My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
Cantor:   I will proclaim your name to my brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you: “You who fear the Lord, praise him; all you descendants of Jacob, give glory to him; revere him, all you descendants of Israel!”
All:          My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Priest/Reader:        A Reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians.   

Second Reading:   Philippians 2:6-11
C
hrist Jesus, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 

Because of this God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

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

Cantor:    Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
All:           P
raise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Cantor:    Christ became obedient for us even to death, dying on a cross.  Therefore God raised him on high and gave him a name above other names.
All:           Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!

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.

Narrative of Our Lord's Passion Matthew 26:14-27:66

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:
   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.

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 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.

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; 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:   Lord, may the suffering and death of Jesus, your only Son, make us pleasing to you.  Alone we can do nothing, but may this perfect sacrifice win us your mercy and love.  We ask this in the name of Jesus the 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.  Though he was sinless, he suffered willingly for sinners.  Though innocent, he accepted death to save the guilty.  By his dying he has destroyed our sins.  By his rising he has raised us up to holiness of life.  We praise you, Lord, with all the angels in their song of joy:

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. 

W
e 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:   When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

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: Matthew 26:42
F
ather, if this cup may not pass, but I must drink it, then your will be done.

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:   Lord, you have satisfied our hunger with this Eucharistic food.  The death of your Son gives us hope and strengthens our faith.  May his resurrection give us perseverance and lead us to salvation.  We ask 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:   The Father of mercies has given us an example of unselfish love in the sufferings of his only Son.  Through your service of God and neighbor may you receive his countless blessings.
All:         Amen.
Priest:   You believe that by his dying Christ destroyed death for ever.  May he give you everlasting life.
All:         Amen.
Priest:   He humbled himself for our sakes.  May you follow his example and share in his resurrection.
All:         Amen.
Priest:   May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All:         Amen.

Priest:   May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 
All:          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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