“Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary
bestowed on the human race
the grace of eternal salvation,
grant, we pray,
that we may experience the intercession of her,
through whom we were found worthy
to receive the author of life,
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 - Lectionary #18
Daily Meditation:
The LORD bless you and keep you!
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace! Numbers 6
When eight days were completed for his circumcision, he was named Jesus,
the name given him by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.Luke 2
The beginning of the New Year gives us an opportunity to reflect upon so much.
We begin by dedicating this new year to Mary.
And because she gave birth to the Prince of Peace
it is a wonderful day to join with one another around the world to pray for peace.
Let us all make our resolutions in light of the graces that have been offered us
throughout this Advent and Christmas Season.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins (Mt. 1)
Intercessions:
Let us give glory to Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary
by the power of the Holy Spirit,
and let us pray to him:
Son of the Virgin Mary, have mercy on us.
Christ born of the Virgin Mary,
you are the Wonder-Counselor and Prince of Peace,
- give your peace to the world.
Our King and our God, you have raised us up by your coming
- help us to honor you all the days of our lives,
by our faith and our deeds.
You made yourself like us,
- in your mercy, grant that we may become more like you.
You made yourself a citizen of our earthly city,
- grant that we may become citizens of our true homeland,
your Kingdom in Heaven.
Closing Prayer:
Gracious God,
what a gift Mary is in my life.
I run from humility -
and yet I am touched by her response to you.
I am headstrong and arrogant -
and she shows me how to say Yes.
By her spirit, her example, her love
she helps bring peace into the world.
Help me to be just a small glimmer of your light
in the midst of a dark world.
Oh, Lord, let your face shine on me!
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel!
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.