Fourth Sunday of Lent

Fourth Sunday of Lent
March 26, 2017 Cycle A
Rose priestly vestments symbolize liturgical rejoicing
during the penitential season of Lent.

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Liturgical Year Cycle A 2016-2017
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
Isaiah 66:10-11 Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.

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 with your spirit.

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: Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
All: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
All: Christ, have mercy.
Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: 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 Collect: 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: O God, who through your Word reconcile the human race to yourself in a wonderful way, grant, we pray, that with prompt devotion and eager faith the Christian people may hasten toward the solemn celebrations to come. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of 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 of Samuel

First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a

The Lord said to Samuel: “Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is here before him.” But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jessie, “The Lord has not chosen any one of these.” Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him; we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.” Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them. He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold and making a splendid appearance. The Lord said, “There – anoint him, for this is the one!” Then Samuel with the horn of oil in hand, anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and from that day on, the spirit of the Lord rushed upon David.

Priest/Reader:   The Word of the Lord.
All:   Thanks 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 21:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Cantor:   The 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; by 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 over-flows.
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: Ephesians 5:8-14

Brothers and sisters: You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

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

John 8:12

Cantor:    Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
ALL: R/. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ, king of endless glory!
Cantor:    I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will have the light of life.
ALL: R/. 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:   Cleanse 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:    And also with you.
Priest/Deacon:   A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
All:     Glory to you, Lord.

The Gospel: John 9:1-41

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

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him. We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day. Night is coming when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva, and smeared the clay on his eyes, and said to him, “Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” – which means Sent –. So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said, “Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?” Some said, “It is,” but others said, “No, he just looks like him.” He said, “I am.” So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?” He replied, “The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went there and washed and was able to see.” And they said to him, “Where is he?” He said “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees. Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a Sabbath. So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see. He said to them, “He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.” So some of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he does not keep the Sabbath.” But others said, “How can a sinful man do such signs?” And there was a division among them. So they said to the blind man again, “What do you have to say about him, since he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe that he had been blind and gained his sight until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight. They asked them, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How does ne now see?” His parents answered and said, “We know that this is our son and that he was born blind. We do not know how he sees now, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him, he is of age; he can speak for himself.” Has parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ, he would be expelled from the synagogue. For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give God the praise! We know that this man is a sinner.” He replied, “If he is a sinner, I do not know. One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” So they said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” He answered them, “I told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” They ridiculed him and said, “You are that man’s disciple; we are disciples of Moses! We know that God spoke to Moses, but we do not know where this one is from.” The man answered and said them, “This is what is so amazing, that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen sinners, but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him. It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything.” They answered and said to him, “You were born totally in sin, and are you trying to teach us?” Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered and said, “Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he.” He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him. Then Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sins; but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.”

Priest/Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise 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: 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. The priest makes and offering of the bread and wine to God.

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:    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: With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this
day be pleasing to you, Lord God.

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: Wash me o Lord, from my iniquity and 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 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: We place before you with joy these offerings, which bring eternal remedy, O Lord, praying that we may both faithfully revere them and present them to you, as is fitting, for the salvation of all the world. Through Christ our Lord.

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

Priest:    The Lord be with you.
All:    And with your spirit.

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: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord. By the mystery of the Incarnation, he has led the human race that walked in darkness into the radiance of the faith and has brought those born in slavery to ancient sin through the waters of regeneration to make them your adopted children. Therefore, all creatures of heaven and earth sing a new song in adoration, and we, with all the host of Angels, cry out, and without end acclaim:

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: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

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

Priest:
Recalls Christ's Passion, Resurrection, Ascension, the Church, the dead, and ourselves.
In 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 Joseph her spouse, 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.

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 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.

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

Communion of the Priest:

Priestly Preparation: May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy.

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 17:5
This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.

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: O God, who enlighten everyone who comes into this world, illuminate our hearts, we pray, with the splendor of your grace, that we may always ponder what is worthy and pleasing to your majesty and love you in all sincerity. 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: Look upon those who call to you, O Lord, and sustain the weak; give life by your unfailing light to those who walk in the shadow of death, and bring those rescued by your mercy from every evil to reach the highest good. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.

Final Blessing:

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

Priest/Deacon: Go in peace.
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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Liturgical Year Cycle A 2016-2017