Posted March 15, 2014

Used with permission of  Creighton University Online Ministries

Invitatory:

“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”

Collect:

Turn our hearts to you, eternal Father, and grant that, seeking always the one thing necessary and carrying out works of charity, we may be dedicated to your worship. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

The Readings

Deuteronomy 26:16-19; Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8; Matthew 5:43-48

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Daily Meditation:

Turn our hearts to you. The Saturdays of Lent have a grateful and uplifting tone to them. Our lesson today reminds us of the covenant God made long ago: you be my people and I will be your God.

In the new covenant, without condition, God is faithful to us, even if we are not. Jesus calls us to a new way of being – loving others as we have been loved – which includes loving those who do not love us. We are to be as pure in our love, as God is pure in loving us.

God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life. – John 3:16

Intercessions:

To make us his new creation, Christ the Lord gave us the waters of rebirth and spread the table of his body and his word. Let us call upon him and say: Lord, renew us in your grace.

Jesus, meek and humble of heart, clothe us with compassion, kindness and humility, – make us want to be patient with everyone.

Teach us to be true neighbors to all in trouble and distress, – and so imitate you, the Good Samaritan.

May the Blessed Virgin, your Mother, pray for all those vowed to a life of virginity, – that they may deepen their dedication to you and to the Church.

Grant us the gift of your mercy, – forgive our sins and remit their punishment.

Closing Prayer:

Loving God, Sometimes my heart turns in every direction except towards you. Please help me to turn my heart toward you, to gaze upon you in trust and to seek your kingdom with all of my heart. Soften my hardened heart so that I might love others as a way to glorify and worship you. Grant me this with the ever-present guidance of your spirit.

Conclusion:

May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen.