Fifth Sunday of Easter
Daily Easter Prayer“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
Almighty ever-living God,
constantly accomplish the Paschal Mystery within us,
that those you were pleased to make new in Holy Baptism
may, under your protective care, bear much fruit
and come to the joys of life eternal.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 9:26-31; Psalms 22:26-27, 28, 30, 31-32; 1 John 3:18-24; John 15:1-8Daily Meditation:
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly. Acts 6You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father. John 14Jesus tells us, "Do not let your hearts be troubled."
He is assuring us that he has gone to prepare a place for us.We can entrust our troubles with him
and we can believe in him, in order that we might
ourselves do the works he sends us to do.I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me. John 14
Today's Daily Reflection
Intercessions:
Christ is the Lord of life, raised up by the Father; in his turn he will raise us up by his power. Let us pray to him, saying:Christ our life, save us.
Lord Jesus, light shining in the darkness, you lead your people into life, and give our mortal nature the gift of holiness,
- may we spend this day in praise of your glory.Lord, you walked the way of suffering and crucifixion,
- may we suffer and die with you, and rise again to share your glory.Son of the Father, our master and our brother, you have made us a kingdom of priests for our God,
- may we offer you our joyful sacrifice of praise.King of glory, we look forward to the great day of your coming in splendor,
- that we may see you face to face, and be transformed in your likeness.
Closing Prayer:
God of Easter Joy,
in these weeks after your resurrection,
I long to be in your protective care.
Give me the courage to allow you into my life
to let you love me - so I can remain in you..Let me put all my trust in you
and let me place my life in your hands.
I so want to do your mission, much more than mine.
I need the freedom only you can give me, dear LOrd.
AmenMay the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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Daily Easter Prayer“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
May your right hand, O Lord, we pray,
encompass your family with perpetual help,
so that, defended from all wickedness
by the Resurrection of your Only Begotten Son,
we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 14:5-18; Psalms 115:1-2, 3-4, 15-16; John 14:21-26
Daily Meditation:Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give the glory. Psalm 115
Whoever loves me will keep my word,
and my Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him. John 14Jesus is revealing to us that our faith is all about relationship with him.
He keeps using the image of making our home in him as he makes his home in us.
It is a relationship with love, which is mutual.Reflecting on that invitation of love today can be quite wonderful.
We can ask for the grace to be open, to surrender and to love.
And, we can be consoled that it is the Holy Spirit who will keep reminding us
of all Jesus has revealed to us.The Holy Spirit will teach you everything
and remind you of all I told you. John 14
Intercessions:
The Father glorified Jesus and appointed him heir to all nations. Let us praise him, saying:
Save us, Lord, through your victory.Lord Christ, by your victory you broke the power of evil and destroyed sin and death,
- make us victorious over sin today.You laid death low, and brought us new life,
- grant that we may walk today in this new life,
You gave life to the dead, and led mankind from death to life,
- give eternal life to all those we shall meet today.You brought confusion on the guards at your tomb, but joy to your disciples,
- grant the fullness of joy to all who serve you.
Closing Prayer:
Loving God,
I am drawn closer to you this day,
knowing that I am loved by the Father and Jesus;
and from their love for me, they send the Spirit.Grant me the grace and the patience
to quiet my life and open my heart
so I can recognize the Spirit who advocates for me
and teaches me the message given by Jesus.
Help me to know that I don't have to wait for you:
you have already come to me and make your dwelling in me.
All I have to do is become aware of your presence in my life.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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Daily Easter Prayer
“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
O God, who restore us to eternal life
in the Resurrection of Christ,
grant your people constancy in faith and hope,
that we may never doubt the promises
which we have learned from you.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 14:19-28; Psalms 145:10-11, 12-13ab, 21; John 14:27-31a
Daily Meditation:
“It is necessary for us to undergo many hardships
to enter the Kingdom of God.” Acts 14“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14Jesus' going away gift to us is his own peace.
And, he gives us a peace the world can't give us.In reflecting today, we can ask for the grace to be freed
from whatever troubles us or makes us afraid.
We can express our desire not to let our hearts give power to anything that disturbs us.
We can open up, with a growing Easter desire, to receive and live in his peace.
Only with that peace, and with hearts full of courage,
can we reach out to those who are troubled and afraid,
to share with them the peace we have received.Christ had to suffer and to rise from the dead,
and so enter into his glory. Luke 24
Intercessions:
By his own power Christ raised up the temple of his body when it had been destroyed in death. With joy let us ask him:
Lord, share with us the fruits of your victory.Christ our Savior, when you rose again you brought to the holy women and the apostles the joyful news of a world redeemed,
- make us witnesses to your risen life.You promised to all people that we would rise up again to newness of life,
- make us heralds of your Gospel.You showed yourself to your apostles and breathed the Holy Spirit on them,
- renew in us the presence of the same creator Spirit.You promised to be with your disciples to the end of the world,
- stay with us today, and remain with us always.
Closing Prayer:
God who gives me eternal life,
What I need this day more than anything, is your peace.
You are clear: it is not peace that the world gives me,
temporary and un-real.
You offer me the peace that lets my heart
be untroubled and without fear.Your early disciples had so many challenges,
yet filled their lives with joy,
and strengthened the spirits of your followers.
Give me the courage and joy to spread your word as they did.
Give me your peace.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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Daily Easter Prayer“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
O God, restorer and lover of innocence,
direct the hearts of your servants towards yourself,
that those you have set free from the darkness of unbelief
may never stray from the light of your truth.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 15:1-6; Psalms 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5; John 15:1-8
Daily Meditation:
It was decided that Paul, Barnabas, and some of the others
should go up to Jerusalem to the Apostles and presbyters. Acts 15I am the vine, you are the branches.
Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit,
because without me you can do nothing. John 15The community realizes that they must take their dispute to Jerusalem.
Just as they are branches connected to Jesus, the vine,
they know that they must stay connected with each other
for there to be communion among them.We again ask for the grace to be connected, and in communion with Jesus,
drawing life from him, so that we might bear much fruit.
We ask for the grace to be disciples of communion, so that we can,
as Pope Francis urges,
build bridges, rather than walls.Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own
unless it remains on the vine,
so neither can you unless you remain in me. John 15
Intercessions:
Christ was given up for our sins and rose again to make us righteous. Let us cry out to him, saying:
Save us, Lord, by your victory.Christ our Savior, in conquering death you brought us joy, in rising again you raised us up and filled us with the abundance of your gifts,
- stir up our hearts, and sanctify this day through the gift of your Holy Spirit.You are glorified by the angels in heaven and adored by mankind on earth; as we celebrate your resurrection,
- accept our worship in spirit and in truth.Lord Jesus, save us; show your great mercy to your people, as we look forward to our own resurrection,
- have mercy on us, and protect us today from every evil.King of glory, source of our life, grant that, when you come again,
- we may be one with you in glory.
Closing Prayer:
God of joy, growth and resurrection,
In this Easter season, I feel connected to you in a deeper way.
I am a branch that holds fast to you, the life-giving source of my life.
With grace, I sometimes become aware that without you, I can do nothing.Give me the focus to keep my heart always directed toward you.
Guide me in everything to walk the path of your light.
Let me be always grateful that you fill me
with an abundance of your gifts.
Bless this day with your Spirit, and stir my heart to your awakening.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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Daily Easter Prayer“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
O God, by whose grace,
though sinners, we are made just
and, though pitiable, made blessed,
stand, we pray, by your works,
stand by your gifts,
that those justified by faith
may not lack the courage of perseverance.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 15:7-21; Psalms 96:1-2a, 2b-3, 10; John 15:9-11
Daily Meditation:And God, who knows the heart,
bore witness by granting them the Holy Spirit
just as he did us. Acts 15As the Father loves me, so I also love you.
Remain in my love. John 15The first council in Jerusalem takes their discernment from the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit guided them to recognize that God's generous love was for all people.Jesus continues to ask us to remain in his love,
to make our home in that love.
We reflect today on all the ways we try to make our home elsewhere,
and we recognize that we remain in other places and patterns.
Jesus shares the wonderful reality that he wants nothing more than our happiness.
He wants to give us his own joy and he desires that our joy be complete.
We can ask for those graces today.I have told you this so that
my joy might be in you and
your joy might be complete. John 15
Intercessions:
Christ rose from the dead and is always present in his Church. Let us adore him and say:
Stay with us, Lord.
Lord, Jesus, victor over sin and death, glorious and immortal,
- be always in our midst.
Come to us in the power of your victory,
- and show our hearts the loving kindness of your Father.
Come to heal a world wounded by division,
- for you alone can transform our hearts and make them one.
Strengthen our faith in final victory:
- and renew our hope in your second coming
Closing Prayer:
Stay with us, Lord.
Our fears and the world get in the way
and we don't always serve as your presence on this earth.
You know my heart, you know my love for you,
and you hold me in your warmest embrace
despite my wavering hope and courage.
Let me rely on you in every moment.
Guide my feet in the path of peace and
lead me to offer your love to those on the margins.
It is then that I will really feel you in my heart
and my joy will be complete.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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Daily Easter Prayer“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
Grant us, Lord, we pray,
that, being rightly conformed to the paschal mysteries,
what we celebrate in joy
may protect and save us with perpetual power.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 15:22-31; Psalms 57:8-9, 10 AND 12; John 15:12-17
Daily Meditation:It is the decision of the Holy Spirit and of us
not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities. Acts 15This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.
No one has greater love than this,
to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15The command of Jesus is not a new law.
He is asking us to experience his love and to let it fill our hearts so that
we will love others with that same love.
He is asking us to learn how to love from him.
He is asking us to love with compassion, mercy, and self-sacrificing surrender.We can reflect today on how we can better accept and give thanks for his love.
Grateful people are generous people.
We can ask for the grace to replace much of this struggle inside of our hearts
with a grateful treasuring of his love for us.Then, we can ask today, to love those closest to us and those most in need,
with Jesus' style of love.It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you
and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you.
This I command you: love one another. John 15
Intercessions:
Let us pray to God the Father, who gave us new life through the risen Christ:
Give us the glory of your Son.Lord our God, your mighty works have revealed your eternal plan: you created the earth, and you are faithful in every generation,
- hear us, Father of mercy.Purify our hearts with your truth, and guide them in the way of holiness,
- so that we may do what is pleasing in your sight.Let your face shine upon us,
- that we may be freed from sin and filled with your plenty.You gave the apostles the peace of Christ,
- grant peace to your people, and to the whole world.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, it is the joy in my heart this season
that allows me to be open to your boundless love.
I know that you choose me to be your friend
and to have a real and loving relationship with me.You say we should "love one another as I have loved you."
I did not understand that before, but now I see
that you ask that I love others without limits,
without judgement and in the same generous way you love.
That is how I can love as you love - but only with your help.
Thank you for laying down your life for me.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Celebrate Easter Home | Renewal
of Baptismal Promises | Lent/Easter Site Index
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U. Online Ministries Home Page
Daily Easter Prayer
“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
Almighty and eternal God,
who through the regenerating power of Baptism
have been pleased to confer on us heavenly life,
grant, we pray,
that those you render capable of immortality
by justifying them
may by your guidance
attain the fullness of glory.
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. *
Today's Readings
Acts 16:1-10; Psalms 100:1b-2, 3, 5; John 15:18-21
Daily Meditation:Day after day the churches grew stronger in faith
and increased in number. Acts 16If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.
If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own;
but because you do not belong to the world,
and I have chosen you out of the world,
the world hates you. John 15Jesus now prepares his disciples, and us, for what is to come.
We don't belong to this world. Making our home in Jesus
makes us quite counter-cultural.
We can be assured that we'll feel the pushback from our culture.
We can't be with Jesus and buy into all the ways of our world.
Jesus has chosen us out of that pattern of living and choosing.In reflecting today, we can feel a deep peace at the clarity Jesus offers us.
We have nothing to fear from the one who has the words of eternal life.We can ask for the desire to embrace Jesus more and more completely
in our hearts, trusting his care for us, whatever we must face.
May his love set our hearts free.And they will do all these things to you on account of my name,
because they do not know the one who sent me. John 15
Intercessions:
Christ is the bread of life; he will raise up on the last day all who share the table of his word and his body. In our joy let us pray:
Lord, give us peace and joy.Son of God, you were raised from the dead to lead us into life,
- bless and sanctify all the children of your Father.You give peace and joy to all who believe in you,
- grant that we may walk as children of the light, rejoicing in your victory.Build up the faith of your pilgrim Church on earth,
- that it may bear witness to your resurrection before the whole world.You suffered and so entered into the glory of the Father,
- change the tears of the sorrowful into joy.
Closing Prayer:
You called your earliest followers to proclaim the Good News,
and the Church grew in faith and numbers.
Lead us now, dear Lord, to also proclaim with joy
that we have been missioned through our Baptism.We have been chosen by you, called to change our lives
to follow your example more closely.
We ask for the desire to embrace you more completely
and to find the deep peace that comes
with leaving the ways of our world and
walking as children of your light.May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
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* New English translation according to the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal. 2010,
Copyright International Commission on English in the Liturgy.