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Fifth Sunday of Easter
This guide is offered for your prayer and reflection. The following does not take the place of, nor necessarily follow the structure of the Mass. Please click on the italicized colored links to listen to audio files of music corresponding to this prayer service.
We will also be posting a video recording of Mass at St. Richard at about 5pm on May 9 at www.strichards.com/at-home.
From the scripture readings today emerges a deeper understanding of Jesus and of our identity. Jesus is the living stone, our rock, our foundation, our salvation.
We pray that we may be built into a spiritual house, a royal priesthood, God’s holy people, the temple of God’s glory.
SIGN OF THE CROSS
SONG : Shelter Me (Michael Joncas)
1. Shepherd and sheep, my God and I:
to fresh green fields you led my steps in days gone by.
You gave me rest by quiet springs
And filled my soul with peace your loving presence brings.
Refrain: O shelter me, O shelter me: the way ahead is dark and difficult to see.
O shelter me, O shelter me: all will be well if only you will shelter me.
2. Yet now I tread a different way:
Death dogs my path with stealthy steps from day to day.
I cannot find your peaceful place,
but dwell in dreary darkness longing for your face. (Refrain)
3. I will look back in days to come,
and realize your faithfulness has led me home.
Within your house I’ll find my peace,
trusting that in your mercy you have sheltered me. (Refrain)
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism
may, under your protective care,
bear much fruit and come to the joys of life eternal.
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. Amen
SCRIPTURE
FIRST READING: Acts 6: 1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly; even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.
PSALM 33: Let Your Mercy Be On Us
Refrain: Let your mercy be on us, O God, as we place our trust in you.
1. Your words, O God, are truth indeed, and all your works are ever faithful;
You love justice and right, your compassion fills all creation. (Refrain)
2. See how the eye of God is watching, ever guarding all who wait in hope,
To deliver them from death and sustain them in time of famine. (Refrain)
3. Exult, you just in the Lord, for praise is the song of the righteous!
How happy the people of God, the ones whom God has chosen. (Refrain)
SECOND READING: 1 Peter 2: 4-9
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings but chosen and precious in the sight of God, and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture: Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion, a cornerstone, chosen and precious ,and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stone that will make people stumble, and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny. You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may announce the praises” of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Easter Alleluia
GOSPEL READING: John 14: 1-12
Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; have faith also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If there were not, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself, so that where I am you also may be. Where I am going you know the way.” Thomas said to him, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father.”
MEDITATION : Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled
Refrain: Do not let your hearts be troubled, have faith in God and faith in me.
I will go forth to prepare a place for you, then I’ll come back to take you
with me, That where I am, you may also be.
1. In God’s house there are many places for you alone to dwell in safety.
You know the way to where I’ll lead you, if you are lost, I will show the way.
(Refrain)
2. I am the way, the truth and the life, only through me can you know what I know.
If you knew me, you would see the vision, if you see me, you see your God.
(Refrain)
3. The words I speak are not only of myself, it is your God who lives within me.
If you believe that your God and I are one, I will provide when you call my name.
(Refrain)
UNIVERSAL PRAYER- For the church, the temple built of living stones: May we embrace our anointing as priests, prophets, and kings, and seek to serve others through the use of our gifts. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For leaders of nations, communities and municipalities: May their decisions be guided by care for every person, regardless of age, gender, race, creed, religion, ability, or economic status. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those whose hearts are troubled by grief, depression, or despair: May they know strength and hope. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those suffering the financial and physical stress of the effects of COVID-19: May they receive the help and support they need. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all who care, support, and provide for the health and well-being of others: May they be kept safe and receive the spiritual and mental support they require. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For those in hospice care, especially [your intention]: May they know courage and peace. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For researchers and scientists working tirelessly for vaccines and resolutions to the novel coronavirus: May they receive God’s wisdom and insight. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all that we hold deep within our hearts [pause to lift up your own personal prayers]. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all people of faith: May we not be afraid to witness to God’s life within us. Let us pray to the Lord…
- For all who have died, especially [your intention]: May they know the splendor of their heavenly home. Let us pray to the Lord…
LORD’S PRAYER
PRAYER FOR PEACE
Loving God, please grant me peace of mind and calm my troubled heart.
Give me the strength and clarity of mind to find my purpose and walk the path
You have laid out for me. I trust your love God, and know that you will heal this
stress. Just as the sun rises each day against the dark of night, may hope rise
against anxiety and worry. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING FOR MOTHER’S DAY
Loving God,
As a mother gives life and nourishment to her children,
so you watch over your Church.
Bless all mothers,
that they may be strengthened as Christian mothers.
Let the example of their faith and love be a witness to us.
Strengthen them, infuse them your peace,
and fill them with your resilient joy.
Bless, also, those who are with child,
that they may have courage in times of fear or pain,
understanding in times of uncertainty and doubt,
and hope in times of trouble.
Bless those, too,
who take on the role of motherhood
but are not recognized by that title.
May they always know your love and support.
Bless those who have lost children.
Strengthen them, infuse them your peace,
and fill them with your resilient joy.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
BLESSING
May God bless our days and our deeds with peace, in the name of the Father,
+ and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
SONG : O God, Beyond All Praising (Verses 1 and 3)
O God beyond all praising, we worship you today
And sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay;
For we can only wonder at ev’ry gift you send,
At blessings without number and mercies without end.
We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your word;
We honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord.
Then hear, O gracious Savior, accept the love we bring,
That we who know your favor may serve you as our King;
And whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill,
We’ll triumph through our sorrows and rise to bless you still,
To marvel at your beauty and glory in your ways,
And make a joyful duty our sacrifice of praise.
COPYRIGHT ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Reprinted with permission under OneLicense.net #A-704119. All rights reserved.
SHELTER ME. Text: Based on Psalm 23, Michael Joncas. Used with permission of the composer and GIA Publications. PSALM 33: LET YOUR MERCY BE ON US. Psalm 33: 1,4-5,12,18-19,20,22; Marty Haugen; Spanish tr. by Ronald F. Krisman, © 1987, 2011, GIA Publications; English refrain tr, © 1969, ICEL. Music: Marty Haugen, © 1987, 1994, GIA Publications, Inc. EASTER ALLELLIA. Text: Marty Haugen, b. 1950. Tune: O FIII ET FILIAE, 10 10 10 with alleluia; adapt. By Marty Haugen, b. 1950 © 1986, GIA Publications, Inc. DO NOT LET YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED. Text: John 14: 1-3,6-7,10-14; David Haas, b. 1957, © 1995, GIA Publications, Inc. O GOD, BEYOND ALL PRAISING. Text: Michael Perry, 1942-1996, © 1982, The Jubilate Group (admin. By Hope Publishing Company). Tune: THAXTED, 13 13 13 13 13 13; Gustav Holst, 1874-1934. SCRIPTURE TEXTS: New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE), USCCB (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).
