Entrance Antiphon
To you, my God, I lift my soul,
I trust in you; let me never come to shame.
Do not let my enemies laugh at me.
Collect
Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God,
the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ
with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand,
they may be worthy to possess the heavenly kingdom.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
Today’s Readings
Daily Meditation
Let’s begin this week with a deeply felt prayer.
Even if we don’t know exactly what we need or long for,
today, let’s try to express our desire for God’s help and assistance.
The readings invite us to be prepared and to be hopeful.
This week I could ask for the grace to grow in anticipation
of what the Lord is offering me and to ready my heart
to receive it gratefully.
What renewal, what end of ‘hostilities’ is our Lord offering me?
They shall beat their swords into plowshare
and their spears into pruning hooks;
one nation shall not raise the sword against another,
nor shall they train for war again.
Isaiah 2
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord. - Psalm 122
Today’s Daily Reflection
Intercessions
To God our Father, who has given us the grace
to wait in graceful hope for the revelation of
our Lord Jesus Christ, let us make our prayer:
Show us your mercy, Lord.
Sanctify us in mind and body,
- keep us without sin until the coming of your Son.
Make us walk this day in holiness,
- and live upright and devout lives in this world.
May we be clothed in our Lord Jesus Christ,
- and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Lord, help us to stand watchful and ready,
- until your Son is revealed in all his glory.
Closing Prayer
Lord God,
only you can see into my heart and know
that under all the busy-ness of my life,
there is a deep longing
to make this Advent one that welcomes you
more deeply into my own life.
My heart desires the warmth of your love
and my minds searches for your Light
in the midst of the darkness
Help me to be a peacemaker this Advent
and to give special love to those
who disagree with me.
give me the strength and courage
to forgive those who have hurt me.
Help me to free my heart
from the prison of my anger and hurt.
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.