Wednesday May 15, 2024
Weekday of Easter (7)
Office: Psalter Week 3
Mass of the day; Preface of Easter or Ascension
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
9 Day Novena with fasting and prayers to the Holy Spirit in Preparation for Pentecost
DAY 6: EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH AND HIS SPIRIT
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Ps 47:2
All peoples, clap your hands. Cry to God with shouts of joy, alleluia.
COLLECT
Grant graciously to your Church, O merciful God, that, gathered by the Holy Spirit, she may be devoted to you with all her heart and united in purity of intent. Through our Lord…
FIRST READING
I commend you to God, who is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 20:28-38)
In those days: Paul said to the elders of the Church of Ephesus, “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you guardians, to feed the Church of the Lord which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities, and to those who were with me. In all things I have shown you that by so toiling one must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”’ And when he had spoken thus, he knelt down and prayed with them all. And they all wept and embraced Paul and kissed him, sorrowing most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they brought him to the ship.
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Monday, May 14th, 2024
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 68:33-35a.35b and 36b (R. cf. 33a)
R/.You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
Summon forth your might, O God;
your might, O God, which you have shown for us.
From your temple high in Jerusalem,
kings will come to you bringing their tribute. R/.
You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God, praise the Lord
who rides on the heavens, the ancient heavens.
Behold, he thunders his voice, his mighty voice.
Come, acknowledge the power of God. R/.
R/.You kingdoms of the earth, sing to God.
Or: Alleluia.
His glory is on Israel;
his might is in the skies.
Blest be God! R/.
ALLELUIA John 17: 17b.a
Alleluia. Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth.
Alleluia.
GOSPEL
May they be one, as we are one!
*A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 17: 11b-19)
At that time: [Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and prayed, saying,] “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me; I have guarded them, and none of them is lost but the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Are there godly visions, purposes, missions, and assignments you have received? Prepare to pass it on. It is an obligation for us to make our God-given vision to endure. Jesus knew when it was time to go. He passed on his vision to his disciples and blessed them. Every believer is a leader and every leader has an obligation to pass on the gospel legacy to others. Teach someone what you are doing. Let someone receive your blessing.
9-DAYS NOVENA WITH FASTING AND PRAYERS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IN PREPARATION FOR PENTECOST
DAY 6: EXPECTATION OF THE MESSIAH AND HIS SPIRIT
INTRODUCTION – In the Old Testament we find the people waiting in expectation of the promised Messiah but ignoring the Word of God. This led them to frustration, disappointment and exile. A few like Simeon and Anna wait in hope for the “consolation of Israel” (Lk2:25) and “the redemption of Jerusalem” (Lk 2: 38). During Jesus’ public life even His own disciples were looking forward to a political figure who would bring the kind of freedom and fulfillment they longed for. In this age of technology and material progress, what are our expectations? In what do we place our hope? Our experience tells us that violence and injustice still flourish. In whom do we trust to rid us of all these troubles? They cannot lead us to fulfillment. Do we not have to ask ourselves whether there is any difference between us and those who do not believe? Today we begin by asking pardon for our lack of faith and trust in God and His Word.
PRAYER POINT:
– Ask for the grace to nurture your spiritual gifts
– Pray against spiritual luke-warmness, unbelief, doubt, unforgiveness, intimidation and attacks of the enemy that will hinder us from worshiping God the way he demands of us.
– Pray for spiritual revival and divine harvest in the area of evangelization.
1. OPENING (Hymn to the Holy Spirit)
INVOCATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Come, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
V/. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created
R/. And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let Us pray:
O God, who taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by the gift of the same Spirit we may be always truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolation, Through Christ Our Lord.
R/. Amen
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
HAIL MARY, FULL OF GRACE, the Lord is with Thee: blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
GLORY BE TO THE FATHER, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (3x)
2. ACT OF CONTRITION – O my God, I am sorry and beg pardon for all my sins, and detest them above all things, because they have crucified my loving Saviour Jesus Christ, and, most of all, because they offend your infinite goodness; and I firmly resolve, by the help of your grace, never to offend you again, and carefully to avoid the occasion of sin.
3. PRAYER FOR THE SEVEN GIFTS OF THE HOLY GHOST:
O LORD JESUS CHRIST, Who before ascending into Heaven didst promise to send the Holy Ghost to finish Thy work in the souls of Thine Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me, that He may perfect in my soul the work of Thy grace and Thy love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Thy Divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining Heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with Thee and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, Dear Lord, with the sign of Thy true disciples, and animate me in all things with Thy Spirit. Amen.
4. PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Breathe into me Holy Spirit that my thoughts may all be holy.
Move in me, Holy Spirit that my work too, may be holy.
Attract my heart Holy Spirit that I may love only what is holy.
Strengthen me Holy Spirit that I may defend all that is holy.
Protect me, Holy Spirit that I may always be holy.
5. BIBLE READING: Isaiah 11:1-2 and Luke 4:16-21
6. CONCLUDING PRAYER
LET US PRAY:
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I know that my body is Your Temple. I believe and trust that You are the source of life, Almighty God, our Creator. My whole body is filled with Your life and love. Lord Jesus, touch me with Your Precious Blood and wash away all my sins.
I ask Your forgiveness for every sin of mine. Heal me of all the hurts, anger, guilt feelings and all painful memories that linger in my deepest being. I have sinned, Lord, against You and against my neighbour. Jesus, You are present in the Eucharist. Lord, do come into my heart. While You are in my heart, I have nothing to fear, for You are the Son of God, and in my heart You are near.
In You is life, and in Your life, Lord Jesus, I find life. You touched the bleeding woman and healed her. Have mercy on me, Lord. It is You Who guide me with Your strength and make me righteous in Your presence. Lord, God, You are almighty. You are merciful. You have touched me and healed me of all my ailments of soul, mind and body. I thank You specially for bringing me closer to You, for loving and protecting me and for healing me completely. With deep faith in my heart, I adore You my loving Jesus Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit are God for ever and ever. Amen.
7. Closing / Concluding Hymn
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL IN HONOUR OF B.V.M
When you do not know the reason why you are here on earth, you could end up wandering in utter darkness and will never fulfil your purpose in life.
Our Mother Mary knew from the very beginning what her mission on earth was and she put in her heart and energy to fulfil that purpose. She fought the good fight of faith, finished well and was rewarded with heavenly glory. We must follow in her step to keep working hard to fulfil our purpose in this life so that in the end we shall wear the crown of eternal glory.
Let us pray;
Heavenly Father, give me the grace to stay focused on my mission here on earth. May nothing stop me from fulfilling the purpose of which you created me and in the end may I wear the crown of eternal glory. Amen. And May the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Meditation: John 17:1-11
