Author: George
Following the example of Jesus, who prayed to His Father in His time of suffering, let us ask God to help all His children in this time of need.
For Pope Francis, that the Lord will give him the strength, the health and the wisdom to lead the Church this Holy Week in repentance for the sins of the past and in renewed commitment to God in the future: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
For world governments, that they will give priority to sharing their knowledge, their skills and their resources to contain and overcome the present pandemic: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
For the dead, that they might be at peace, for those who mourn, that they may be comforted and for those who are suffering, that, through the skill and compassionate concern of their carers, they may recover: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
For the lonely living in isolation, that Christ, who suffered the pain of abandonment in His Passion, will bless them with His comfort, His peace and the joy of His presence in their daily lives: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
For the doctors, scientists and engineers working together to develop vaccines and ventilators, that their efforts will rapidly bring relief to the victims of the virus: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
For our parish community, that despite being unable to commemorate Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection together this Holy Week, everyone will give their best time each day to praise and prayer which will deepen our faith, renew our hope and increase our love: we pray to the Lord. (Pause)
Lord, hear us . . . Lord, graciously hear us
Let us ask the help of Mary, who knew the pain of watching the suffering and death of the One she loved: Hail Mary . . .
Let us make our own petitions to our Father, who always listens and answers our prayers. (Pause)
Almighty Father, You gave us Christ to be our Saviour and Redeemer; having learnt from His suffering, may we then come to share in the joy of His Resurrection, for He is our Crucified and Risen Lord, who reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 137/138
I thank you, Lord, with all my heart,
you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
I will adore before your holy temple.
I thank you for your faithfulness and love
which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered; you increased the strength of my soul.
All the rulers on earth shall thank you
when they hear the words of your mouth.
They shall sing of the Lord’s ways: “How great is the glory of the Lord!”
Though I walk in the midst of affliction
you give me life and frustrate my foes.
You stretch out your hand and save me,
Your hand will do all things for me. Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
discard not the work of your hands.
Litany of Praise:
We thank you for your faithfulness and love.
Scripture Reading: John 19:28-30
After Jesus had spoken to His mother, he knew that everything had now been completed and, so that the scripture should be completely fulfilled, he said: I am thirsty. A jar full of sour wine stood there; so, putting a sponge soaked in the wine on a hyssop stick, they held it up to his mouth. After Jesus had taken the wine he said, ‘It is fulfilled’; and bowing his head he gave up his spirit.
Reflection: (Saint Teresa of Calcutta)
I know you through and through – I know everything about you. Nothing in your life in unimportant to me, I have followed you through the years, and I have always loved you – even in your wanderings. Do you thirst for love? “Come to me all you who thirst”. (John 7:37) I will satisfy you and fill you. Do you thirst to be cherished? I cherish you more than you can imagine to the point of dying on a cross for you. I thirst for you. Yes, that is the only way to even begin to describe my love for you: I thirst for you. I thirst to love and to be loved by you – that is how precious you are to me. I thirst for you. Come to me, and I will fill your heart and heal your wounds. . . I want you to remember always one thing that will never change: I thirst for you – just as you are.
INTERCESSIONS: Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
Closing Prayer of Sorrow:
Lord Jesus Christ, you willingly accepted the pain and suffering of your Passion and Death out of your everlasting love for me. I now must accept responsibility for my part in causing you such pain and anguish.
I am Judas, when I betray the trust placed in me by You and by others.
I am Peter, when I deny Your love for me and am too cowardly to proclaim Your greatness to the world.
I am one of those fearful disciples when I run away from those who need me, for fear of what it may cost.
I am Pilate, when I refuse to listen to the truth, when I refuse to take any responsibility for the injustices in the world, when I take the easy way out.
I am one of that crowd who shouted “Crucify Him”, when I am swayed by the opinions and judgements of others, when I accept their standards of behaviour and reject Your words of truth and life.
I am one of those soldiers who scourged and mocked You, when I cause pain to others through my selfishness and callous indifference.
I am one of those women of Jerusalem who can weep for the sins of others, but am too blind to see my own.
Lord, I am sorry for the evil I have done and the good I have failed to do. Forgive me, Lord, and never let me be parted from You.
Then, with Your help, I will be Simon, helping to bear the burdens of others.
I will be Veronica, forgetting myself and reaching out to those who suffer starvation, sickness, pain, loneliness and despair.
I will be Mary, silently bearing the sufferings of those I love, and faithful to Your will in all things.
And I will be You, Lord, gladly accepting the pains of this life and joyfully sharing Your gifts of love and peace with all our people.
Glory be to You, Lord, whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine!
We turn to the Lord of all creation and plead for His help for all His suffering children.
Let us pray for Christians throughout the world, that their love for Jesus will be shown by their selfless care and compassion for all their brothers and sisters who are in need.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
Let us pray for the decision-makers in Government, the National Health Service, the Treasury, the police and the armed services, that, strengthened by God’s Spirit of Power, they will work together with mutual trust to find the best solutions to the present challenges.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
Let us pray for the victims of the coronavirus pandemic, that the dead will be at rest in the loving embrace of the Father and that those who grieve for them will be blessed with comfort and peace in their loss.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
Let us pray for all nurses, carers and volunteers, striving to ensure the good health, safety and comfort of the sick and elderly, that the Lord will protect them from the virus and enable them to be channels of God’s love to those in their charge.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
Let us pray for all who are finding restrictions on their movements hard to endure, especially families confined in high-rise flats and the elderly in their homes, that the Lord will give them patience and help them to use their time profitably and wisely.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
As we enter Passiontide, let us pray for every member of our parish community, that we may all strive to walk with Christ on His journey to Calvary, ever grateful for this demonstration of His great love for us, and ever thankful for the gift of life.
Lord, in your mercy . . . Hear our prayer
May Mary be our model and inspiration in following Christ her Son: Hail Mary . . .
Deep in our hearts, may we make our own petitions for those who have asked for our prayers.
Lord God, listen to our prayers and help us to live each day empowered by Your Spirit who dwells in our hearts. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.