Posted March 18, 2014

Used with permission of  Creighton University Online Ministries

Invitatory:

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

Collect:

Guard your Church, we pray, O Lord, in your unceasing mercy, and, since without you moral humanity is sure to fall, may we be kept by our constant helps from all harm and directed to all that bring salvation. 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

Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23; Matthew 23:1-12

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Daily Meditation:

Protect us from what could harm us. Today’s lesson is about being on guard against religious hypocrisy – always a potential trap, as we grow in our desire. Again, we turn to our God for help, our God whose love is “unfailing.”

To the upright I will show the saving power of God. Why do you recite my statutes, and profess my covenant with your mouth, Though you hate discipline and cast my words behind you? To the upright I will show the saving power of God. — Psalm 50

Intercessions:

God the Father has given us his only Son, the Word made man, to be our food and our life. Let us thank him and pray: May the word of Christ dwell among us in all its richness.

Help us in this Lenten season to listen more frequently to your word, -that we may celebrate the solemnity of Easter with greater love for Christ, our paschal teacher, -that we may encourage those in doubt and error to follow what is true and good.

Enable us to enter more deeply into the mystery of the Anointed One, -that our lives may reveal him more effectively.

Purify and renew your Church in this time of salvation, -that it may give an even greater witness to you.

Closing Prayer:

God in heaven and in my life, guide me and protect me. I so often believe I can save myself and I always end in failure. Lead me with your love away from harm and guide me on the right path. May your Spirit inspire the Church and make us an instrument of your love and guidance. Thank you for your care for me.

Conclusion:

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

Amen.