This guide is offered for your prayer and reflection.
 
God is always working among us with mercy and kindness. We are encouraged to trust in God’s purpose and plan. How do we know what that is? what that looks like? Where do I see or experience mercy, kindness and fidelity?
 

 
   
+SIGN OF THE CROSS
 
 
OPENING SONG: The Church of Christ

 
 
OPENING PRAYER
Show favor, O Lord, to your servants and mercifully increase the gifts of your grace,
that, made fervent in hope, faith and charity, they may be ever watchful in keeping your commands. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
 
SCRIPTURE 
(Please note that, due to copyright licensing, we cannot reprint scripture texts here. Click on the scripture reference below, which will take you to the USCCB site.)
 
   FIRST READING: Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19

   PSALM 65: The Seed That Falls on Good Ground
 
   Antiphon: Let your mercy be on us, O God, as we place our trust in you.
 
Your words, O God, are truth indeed, and all your works are every faithful;
you love justice and right, your compassion fills all creation. Antiphon
 
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. Antiphon
 
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! Antiphon
 
Our soul is waiting for God, for God is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O God, be upon us who place our hope in you. Antiphon

 
 
   SECOND READING: Romans 8: 26-27
 
   GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
 
   GOSPEL READING: Matthew 13: 24-43
 
 
MEDITATION: Let Us Be Bread
Refrain: Let us be bread, blessed by the Lord, broken and shared, life for the world.
Let us be wine, love freely poured, let us be one in the Lord.
 
Verses:     You are my friends, if you keep my commands,
                No longer servants, but friends. (Refrain)
 
                See how my people have nothing to eat,
                Give them the bread that is you. (Refrain)
 
                As God has loved me so I have loved you.
                Go and live on in my love. (Refrain)

 
UNIVERSAL PRAYER

1. For the church: may all her members, rooted firmly in Christ, be living signs of God’s mercy and kindness. Let us pray to the Lord.
2. For leaders of governments and communities: may they ground themselves in wisdom, truth, justice, and compassion. Let us pray to the Lord.
3. For those who seek refuge from violence, war, poverty or abuse: may they find places of welcome and relief, shelter and support. Let us pray to the Lord.
4. For healing and peace for the sick and suffering members of our families and faith community, especially [your intention]. Let us pray to the Lord.
5. For members of the medical community: may those who serve in the
   wide variety of caring services be kept strong in body, mind, and heart. Let us pray to the Lord.
6. For each of us, gathered in this space, or with us in spirit: being fed by God’s
   Word and Sacrament may we be the face of hope and faithfulness in Christ. Let us pray to the Lord.
7. For those who have died and for those who mourn their loss. We pray especially for [your intention]. 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
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:  God, Beyond All Praising
 
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.
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST. Text: Fred Pratt Green, 1903-2000, © 1972, Hope Publishing Company. Tune: O WALY WALY, LM; English; harm. by Martin West, b. 1929, © 1983, Hope Publishing Company. PSALM 33: Text: Psalm 33: 1, 4-5, 12, 18-19, 20, 22; Marty Haugen; Spanish tr. by Ronald F. Krisman, © 1987, 2011, GIA Publications, Inc. English refrain tr., © 1969, ICEL,. Music: Marty Haugen, © 1987, 1994, GIA Publications, Inc. LET US BE BREAD. Text: Thomas J. Porter, b. 1958. Tune: Thomas J. Porter, b. 1958,, © 1990, 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, 19834-1934.