Sunday Celebration of the Liturgy of the Word for the Second Sunday of Easter

SUNDAY CELEBRATION OF THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

For use in the home or in a small community

Adapted from Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest

INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather in a place where an environment appropriate for prayer can be created.
Instrumental music may be played or an appropriate song may played or sung.
Parish music directors should be able to provide additional appropriate song choices.
A musician can lead one of the following songs or all can sing along to recording (YouTube, etc)
Possibilities:

LEADER:   We gather here to celebrate the Lord’s Day. Sunday has been called the Lord’sDay because it was on this day that Jesus conquered sin and death and rose to new life. While we are not able to celebrate Mass today and receive Holy Communion, let us be united in the Spirit of Christ with the Church around the world as we celebrate our redemption in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
All make the sign of the cross as leader continues:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL:                Amen
LEADER:     Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God forever.
ALL:            Blessed be God forever.
LEADER:      Let us Pray.
All pray in silence for a short time, then leader continues:
God of all creation, we gather on this first day of the week made holy by the resurrection of Christ. In the waters of baptism we were buried with Christ so that we might also rise with him and so share his victory over sin and death.
You have transformed our lives into the living stones that form your Church with Christ as the foundation stone.
Strengthen our community’s bond of communion and peace during this uncertain time, and deepen our solidarity with your Church throughout the whole world. Rekindle in us today the vision of your kingdom so that our daily concerns and labor may find their proper perspective.
Fill our homes with the spirit of the Gospel and give us the grace to see the true face of the people with whom we live. In a world torn by fear, sin and division make us instruments of reconciliation and mercy.
The good news of Easter fills our hearts with joy as we remember Christ’s victory over death. In him, who offered his life on the cross, a broken world has been renewed and the promise of eternal life made sure.
May we who celebrate Christ’s resurrection this day share in his eternal glory where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
The readings and psalm are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary for Mass.
Visit http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/041920.cfm for the readings for April 19.
 
FIRST READING: The First Reading is proclaimed by someone other than the leader. Begin with “A reading from the Acts of the Apostles” …” and close with “The Word of the Lord.”
THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 118) is sung or read.
SECOND READING: The second reading is proclaimed by someone other than the leader. Begin with “A reading from the First Letter of Peter” …” and close with “The Word of the Lord.:
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Gospel Acclamation given in the Lectionary is sung.
If is not sung, it should be omitted and leader continues with Gospel.
CANTOR: Alleluia! (Sing a favorite version of the Alleluia, and have all repeat)
CANTOR: You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me, says the Lord;
blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe! (All: Alleluia!)
GOSPEL: The Gospel is proclaimed by the leader. Begin with “A reading from the Holy Gospel According to John” and conclude with “The Gospel of the Lord.”
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS: Parish Catechetical Leaders can be consulted for appropriate materials and sources for reflection and sharing on the readings. The following options for reflection are provided but can be adapted as necessary by parishes. In addition, the pastor may wish to provide a homily which can be played or read by the leader at this time.

  1. LECTIO DIVINA (for more background and information on this type of prayer visit usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions)

Take the passage “…these are written that you may come to believe
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that through this belief you may have life in his name” or another short phrase that stood out to you and repeat it several times. Place yourself in the story. As you repeat the phrase, meditate on the people and the actions of the story. Have the leader read the Gospel again if necessary.
Meditate on what this phrase means to you at this point in your life.
Share your personal response to the text: Allow everyone to simply share their thoughts and feelings about what the text means to them. Dialogue and converse about each other’s responses after the prayer service over a meal.
Take time in silence to personally encounter how Christ has touched you and those you are with through your meditation on this story.

  1. QUESTION(S) OF THE WEEK

Share together some or all of the following questions based on the scriptures:
ACTS: Where has division crept into your family or into your community? How might you help bring the peace of Christ to this situation?
PSALM: Have you ever felt like “the stone rejected by the builders?” How did God help you handle the situation?
PETER: When has your faith been tested? Does suffering tend to make you bitter person or a better person?
JOHN: What are the experiences in your life that have brought you to believe?
After the reflections or sharing, a period of sacred silence for further meditation  on the readings may be observed.
If there are catechumens or elect present, after the silence, continue breaking open the Word of God if necessary to conclude the celebration (Parish RCIA Coordinators will be helpful with providing additional materials to facilitate this) and then close with the Concluding Rite
 
PROFESSION OF FAITH: Recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed
www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/basic-prayers.cfm
 
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
LEADER: With faith in God’s promises, let us now present our needs and petitions.
READER: For the Church, and for all people who continue to the best our ability during this difficult time to spread God’s mercy to those most in need: the impoverished, the unemployed, the chronically ill, the lonely and the forgotten, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For leaders of nations, and for all who work toward achieving true justice and lasting peace within their countries and with their neighbors, we pray to the Lord…
READER: We pray for the waters of the earth to be restored to health, for the soil of the earth to provide abundant harvests for all, for continued beauty and diversity in all creatures that share the earth, and for all the human family to live as faithful stewards of the gifts of creation, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For all care-givers, health-care workers, first responders, and essential personnel; for all those who are working to heal the sick and suffering from this pandemic in every way, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For those who are most in need of the mercy of God and the forgiveness of others, and for the strength to forgive those who have harmed us, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For the Elect who continue their preparations for Christian Initiation, that their witness and enthusiasm may remain strong, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For all who have died, (mention any names…) especially victims of COVID-19, to attain the fullness of life in the eternal kingdom, we pray to the Lord…
LEADER: Merciful God, you have given us a new birth through the resurrection of your Son. May we share this living hope with our families, friends, and neighbors. Hear these prayers and all the prayers we make to you and grant through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Risen Lord.
ALL: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be prayed at this time
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
ALL: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
ACT OF THANKSGIVING
The act of thanksgiving may be a song, hymn, psalm, canticle, or litany. See music choices above. Parish music directors may advise their communities on additional appropriate choices within parish repertoire for the season.
CONCLUDING RITE
LEADER: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
ALL: Amen
SIGN OF PEACE
If appropriate, all may exchange a sign of peace
Another song or instrumental music may conclude the celebration.
 

EN ESPAÑOL

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