Posted April 8, 2014

Used with permission of  Creighton University Online Ministries

Invitatory:

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

Collect:

Grant us, we pray, O Lord, perseverance in obeying your will, that in our days the people dedicated to your service may grow in both merit and number. 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:

Numbers 21:4-9; Psalm 102:2-3, 16-21; John 8:21-30

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Daily Meditation:

May we be lifted up with you. In the first reading, lifting up the image of a serpent healed and protected the people during their journey of liberation in the desert.

In the gospel, like a trial scene, Jesus is defending himself. They want to know who he is. They want to know him – but they resist knowing him. He tells them that they’ll really know him when he is “lifted up.” They will lift him up on the cross, to be put to death. God transformed that tragedy, by letting his death “pay the price” for all of our sins.

When we look at a crucifix, we look at the image of the one who is “lifted up” in Glory. He is lifted up for our liberation from sin and death. Let us give him thanks, from the bottom of our hearts. Our celebration of our glorious salvation is near. “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.”

Put your hope in the Lord. Take courage and be strong. – Ps. 26:14

O Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come to you. Ps. 102:2

Intercessions:

Praise to Christ, who has given us himself as the bread from heaven. Let us pray to him, saying: Jesus, you feed and heal our souls; come to strengthen us.

Lord, feed us at the banquet of the Eucharist, – with all the gifts of your paschal sacrifice.

Give us a perfect heart to receive your word, – that we may bring forth fruit in patience.

Make us eager to work with you in building a better world, – so that it may listen to your Church and its gospel of peace.

We confess, Lord, that we have sinned, – wash us clean by your gift of salvation.

Closing Prayer:

Loving God, You have heard my complaints, my impatience. Sometimes I become frightened when I move away from you. Guide my heart back to you. Help me to think beyond my own wants and to desire only to do you will. Thank you for the many blessings in my life and for the ways I feel your presence.

Conclusion:

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

Amen.