"Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Opening Prayer
Father,in your plan of salvationyour Son Jesus Christ accepted the crossand freed us from the power of the enemy.May we come to share the glory of his resurrection,who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spiritone God, for ever and ever.
Daily MeditationThis is the last day of Lent.
It is "Spy Wednesday," remembering the day Judas asked,
"What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?"We read the third song of the Servant who suffers.
And we sense the acceptance, the surrender and the peace of Jesus.
I can imagine the treachery and tranquility of this day,
as I go through the real life drama of my day.
I can begin to feel the joy of the liberation being offered me.If I haven't done so already,
this can be a wonderful day to pray through the Stations of the Cross.The Son of Man came not to be served,
but to serve
and to give his life
as a ransom for many.
Intercessions
Blessed be God, the giver of salvation, who decreed that mankind should become a new creation in himself, when all would be made new. With great confidence let us ask him:
Lord, renew us in your Spirit.
Lord, you promised a new heaven and a new earth; renew us daily through your Spirit,
- that we may enjoy your presence for ever in the heavenly Jerusalem.Help us to work with you to make this world alive with your Spirit,
- and to build on earth a city of justice, love and peace.Free us from all negligence and sloth,
- and give us joy in your gifts of grace.Deliver us from evil,
- and from slavery to the senses, which blinds us to goodness.
Closing PrayerMy Savior,
do you invite me to share
in the glory of the resurrection?Please stay with me
as I struggle to see
how accepting the crosses of my life
will free me from the power
of the one who wants only
to destroy my love and trust in you.Help me to be humble and accepting
like your son, Jesus.I want to turn to you
with the same trust he had in your love.Save me, Lord.
Only you can save me.