Daily Lent Prayer

"Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise."

We begin our celebration with an invitation to remember

what happened on this very special day.

Dear friends in Christ, 
for five weeks of Lent we have been preparing, by works of charity and self sacrifice, for the celebration of our Lord's paschal mystery.  Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the whole Church throughout the world.  Christ entered in triumph into his own city, to complete his work as our Messiah: to suffer, to die, and to rise again.  
Let us remember with devotion this entry which began his saving work and follow him with a lively faith.  United with him in his suffering on the cross, may we share his resurrection and new life.

The Readings:   The Procession Gospel: Luke 19:28-40 
Readings for Mass: Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14--23:56 or Luke 23:1-49

Daily Meditation: 
For a closer union with Jesus 
in his humility, in his suffering. 
This Sunday we hold palm branches in our hands, 
and wave them to greet our Lord's entry into the city of our salvation. 
Last year's palms were burned to form the ashes 
that marked our foreheads to begin this Lenten journey. 
We can place these palm branches - perhaps from each member of the family - 
in a special place in our home 
(maybe cutting a small piece and putting it some place where I work).

Each day this week they can represent our celebration of his love for me. 
That symbol can say so many words - 
all that I am about to celebrate and accept as love for me, 
and all the entry into Jerusalem experiences in my life.

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts, 
Heaven and earth are full of your glory! 
Hosanna in the highest! 
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! 
Hosanna in the highest!

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
As Christ entered Jerusalem he was greeted as King and Messiah, 
Let us adore him, and joyfully praise him: 
 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna to you, Son of David, King of the ages,
-hosanna to you, victor over death and the powers of darkness.
You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, 
-lead your Church into the paschal feast of heaven.
You made your cross the tree of life, 
- give its fruit to those reborn in baptism. 
Savior of mankind, you came to save sinners,
- bring into your kingdom all who have faith, hope, and love.

Closing Prayer: 
Loving God, 
I am just beginning to realize how much you love me. 
Your son, Jesus was humble and obedient. 
He fulfilled your will for him by becoming human and suffering with us. 
I ask you for the desire to become more humble 
so that my own life might also bear witness to you. 
I want to use the small sufferings I have in this world to give you glory.

Please, Lord, guide my mind with your truth. 
Strengthen my life by the example of Jesus. 
Help me to be with Jesus in this week 
as he demonstrates again his total love for me. 
He died so that I would no longer be separated from you. 
Help me to feel how close you are and to live in union with you.

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Monday Holy Week Prayer

"Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:

Father,

may we receive your forgiveness and mercy

as we celebrate the passion and death of the Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit

one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38

Daily Meditation: 
Let me receive your forgiveness and mercy. 
The second Servant song shapes our reflection today 
as we watch that amazing dinner scene on Tuesday of this passion week.

We experience the pain of his knowing 
that he will be betrayed and denied. 
Yet, the hour he is about to face is the hour of his Glory. 
And he promises that where he is going, we will surely follow.

Our desire is to celebrate the gift being offered us.

It is too little, he says, 
  for you to be my servant, 
  to raise up the tribes of Jacob, 
  and restore the survivors of Israel. 
I will make you a light to the nations, 
  that my salvation may reach 
  to the ends of the earth. 
Isaiah 49

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Let us pray to Christ our Savior, who redeemed us by his death and resurrection: 
 Lord, have mercy on us. 
You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, 
- bring your Church to the Passover feast of heaven. 
You were lifted high on the cross and pierced by the soldier’s lance, 
- heal our wounds. 
You made the cross the tree of life, 
   -  give its fruit to those reborn in baptism. 
On  the cross you forgave the repentant thief, 
- forgive us our sins.

Closing Prayer: 
God of such unwavering love, 
how do I "celebrate" 
the passion and death of Jesus? 
I often want to look the other way 
and not watch, 
not stay with Jesus in his suffering. 
Give me the strength 
to see his love with honesty and compassion 
and to feel deeply 
your own forgiveness and mercy for me. 
Help me to understand 
how to "celebrate" this week. 
I want be able to bring 
my weaknesses and imperfections with me 
as I journey with Jesus this week, 
so aware of his love.

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

"Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:

Father,

may we receive your forgiveness and mercy

as we celebrate the passion and death of the Lord,

who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit

one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalm 71:1-6, 15, 17; John 13:21-33, 36-38

Daily Meditation: 
Let me receive your forgiveness and mercy. 
The second Servant song shapes our reflection today 
as we watch that amazing dinner scene on Tuesday of this passion week.

We experience the pain of his knowing 
that he will be betrayed and denied. 
Yet, the hour he is about to face is the hour of his Glory. 
And he promises that where he is going, we will surely follow.

Our desire is to celebrate the gift being offered us.

It is too little, he says, 
  for you to be my servant, 
  to raise up the tribes of Jacob, 
  and restore the survivors of Israel. 
I will make you a light to the nations, 
  that my salvation may reach 
  to the ends of the earth. 
Isaiah 49

Today's Daily Reflection

Intercessions:
Let us pray to Christ our Savior, who redeemed us by his death and resurrection: 
 Lord, have mercy on us. 
You went up to Jerusalem to suffer and so enter into your glory, 
- bring your Church to the Passover feast of heaven. 
You were lifted high on the cross and pierced by the soldier’s lance, 
- heal our wounds. 
You made the cross the tree of life, 
   -  give its fruit to those reborn in baptism. 
On  the cross you forgave the repentant thief, 
- forgive us our sins.

Closing Prayer: 
God of such unwavering love, 
how do I "celebrate" 
the passion and death of Jesus? 
I often want to look the other way 
and not watch, 
not stay with Jesus in his suffering. 
Give me the strength 
to see his love with honesty and compassion 
and to feel deeply 
your own forgiveness and mercy for me. 
Help me to understand 
how to "celebrate" this week. 
I want be able to bring 
my weaknesses and imperfections with me 
as I journey with Jesus this week, 
so aware of his love.

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.

Wednesday Holy Week Prayer

"Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth shall declare your praise."

Opening Prayer:

Father,

in your plan of salvation

your Son Jesus Christ accepted the cross

and 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 Spirit

one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings:  Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 69:8-10, 21-22, 31, 33-34; Matthew 26:14-25

Daily Meditation: 
He freed us from the power of the enemy. 
This 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. 
Communion Antiphon  Matthew 20:28

 [Go to Stations of the Cross here.]

Today's Daily Reflection

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 Prayer: 
My 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.

May the Lord bless us,

protect us from all evil

and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.