“Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.”
Collect:
Almighty ever-living God,
who gave us the Paschal Mystery
in the covenant you established
for reconciling the human race,
so dispose our minds, we pray,
that what we celebrate by professing the faith
we may express in deeds.
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.
The Readings
Acts 4:1-12; Psalm 118; John 21:1-14
Daily Meditation:
Thank you for this covenant of reconciliation!
There are two powerful movements in our daily celebration of Easter.
We keep acknowledging the gift of new life that has been given us,
and we realize that we desire to gratefully respond
so that the effects of these graces
might be seen in the way we live -
in greater loving service of others.
Jesus asked a third time,
“Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus
had asked him three times if he loved him.
So he told Jesus,
“Lord, you know everything. You know I love you.”
Jesus replied, “Feed my sheep.
-- John 21:17
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 God,
by the sacrifice of your son, Jesus,
you have helped me to forgiveness and reconciliation.
Help me to be more understanding,
to love as you have loved us --
utterly forgiving and forgetting of my many flaws.
Help me to live in this new way of loving
as I celebrate my new life in your Easter mystery.
May the Lord bless us,
protect us from all evil
and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.