June 1, 2020 | Mother of the Church
Leader: In you, my God, I place my trust.
Canticle of Mary
Reader 1: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
Reader 2: From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
Reading – John 19:25-27
Reader 3: Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple there whom he loved he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son.” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.
Reflection
Leader: In 2018 Pope Francis designated the Monday after Pentecost as the feast of Mary, Mother of the Church. This is a fitting title for Mary who was present with the disciples of the Lord on that first Pentecost. Since Pentecost is regarded as the birthday of the Church, it is only fitting that Mary, the woman of the new covenant, be honored as the mother of a new community of believers, the Church. Just as Jesus entrusts his mother to John, a faithful follower, so the Church is entrusted to her to imitate her humble and generous fiat.
Intentional Prayer
Leader: That we may be a community of faithful believers, imitating the example of Mary, we pray:
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 1: That those who hear God’s word follow Mary’s example to live it joyfully, we pray:
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 2: That those who suffer in mind or body find comfort through the intercession of Mary, we pray:
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
Reader 3: That all mothers turn to Mary for strength and inspiration, we pray:
All: Lord, hear our prayer.
All: Personal Petitions:
The Lord’s Prayer
Reader 3: Our Father …
Closing Prayer
Reader 4: In every age, O God, your word has come to us through your messengers, and in our time that same word has come to dwell in our midst through the obedience of Mary, Mother of the Church. Grant that we may be open to the words of her Son, and in hearing his word, live it fully and faithfully. 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. Amen
Leader: In you, my god, I place my trust.
Peace be with you all and have a wonderful week!