April 20, 2020 | Baptized

Leader: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

Reader 1: Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart.

Reader 2: Be glad in the LORD, you just, and give thanks to his holy name.

Reader 3: There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these things that you are doing unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man once grown old be born again? Surely, he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?” Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God. What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit. Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Leader: A constant theme in John’s account of the Gospel is the relationship between Jesus and the Father. In this passage, he instructs Nicodemus on the relationship and tells him that he too can be part of that communion when he is baptized in water and the Spirit. To be baptized in water is to belong to Christ; to be baptized in the Spirit is to be part of the mysterious and grace-filled union with God. This is our heritage, by virtue of our Baptism. We are immersed in the wonderful relationship that Jesus shares with the Father. There is no greater blessing.

Leader: Filled with your Spirit, O Lord, we pray:

All: Loving God, hear our prayer.

Reader 1: That people of every nation be filled with the Spirit of justice, we pray:

All: Loving God, hear our prayer.

Reader 2: That the employees of CommonSpirit Health serve with compassion, we pray:

All: Loving God, hear our prayer.

Reader 3: That those who suffer in spirit or body know the tender embrace of the Father,

All: Loving God, hear our prayer.

Reader 4: That we extend our resources on behalf of those who have scarce means to provide for themselves, we pray:

All: Loving God, hear our prayer.

All: Personal Petitions:

Reader 4: The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father…

Reader 5: Open our minds and hearts O God, to the power of your Holy Spirit, that we may be filled with the gifts that bear witness to your presence in our world. May our words and our works be true signs of the risen Lord, who lives with you, in unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Leader: Blessed are all who take refuge in the Lord.

Modified slightly from: Daily Prayer 2020, 2019 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, IL