20 August 2020

THURSDAY WITHIN THE TWENTIETH WEEK OF ORDINARY TIME (A)

SAINT BERNARD, ABBOT AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

MEMORIAL

St Bernard (c. 1090-1153) was born into a noble family at Fontaines, near Dijon (France). In 1113 he joined the new monastery at Cîteaux and went on to found the Cistercian house at Clairvaux. St Bernard became known as a talented theologian, preacher and controversialist, enjoying correspondence with monarchs and popes. He managed to combine a life of action with one of mystical contemplation, as revealed in his writings. Declared a Doctor of the Church in 1830, he is known as ‘the last of the Fathers.’


Sign of the Cross 

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Examen

Before listening to the Word of God take a moment to reflect. 

For what am I grateful to God for today? Where did I stray from God: through words, actions or things I did not do. How might I do better tomorrow? What grace do I ask from God in order to live more closely in his love? 

You may wish to conclude by saying: 

Lord Jesus, you have revealed yourself as the way to the Father:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

You have poured out on your people the Spirit of truth:
Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. 

You are the Good Shepherd, leading us to eternal life:
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. 

Collect

O God, who made of the Abbot Saint Bernard
a man consumed with zeal for your house
and a light shining and burning in your Church,
grant, through his intercession,
that we may be on fire with the same spirit
and walk always as children of light.
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.

First Reading

A reading from the book of Ecclesiasticus 15:1-6

Whoever grasps the Law will obtain wisdom.

Whoever fears the Lord will act like this,
and whoever grasps the Law will obtain wisdom.
She will come to meet him like a mother,
and receive him like a virgin bride.
He will lean on her and will not fall,
he will rely on her and not be put to shame.
She will raise him high above his neighbours,
and in full assembly she will open his mouth.
He will find happiness and a crown of joy,
he will inherit an everlasting name.

The word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 118: 9-14. R. v.12

Lord, teach me your statutes.

How shall the young remain sinless?
By obeying your word.
I have sought you with all my heart;
let me not stray from your commands. R.

I treasure your promise in my heart
lest I sin against you.
Blessed are you, O Lord;
teach me your statutes. R.

With my tongue I have recounted
the decrees of your lips.
I rejoiced to do your will
as though all riches were mine. R.

Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Remain in my love, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me, with me in him,
bears fruit in plenty.

Alleluia!

Gospel

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 17:20-26

Father, may they be completely one.

Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said:

‘Holy Father,
I pray not only for these,
but for those also
who through their words will believe in me.
May they all be one.
Father, may they be one in us,
as you are in me and I am in you,
so that the world may believe it was you who sent me.
I have given them the glory you gave to me,
that they may be one as we are one.
With me in them and you in me,
may they be so completely one
that the world will realise that it was you who sent me
and that I have loved them as much as you loved me.
Father, I want those you have given me
to be with me where I am,
so that they may always see the glory you have given me
because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Father, Righteous One,
the world has not known you,
but I have known you,
and these have known that you have sent me.
I have made your name known to them
and will continue to make it known,
so that the love with which you loved me may be in them,
and so that I may be in them.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Profession of Faith

The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen,

Prayers

Intercessions 

Pray for family and loved ones so that they may be held in God’s compassionate care. Pray for other countries who are struggling with the effects of the COVID 19 virus. 

For those in authority: may they offer advice with care and integrity, may they seek to protect the poor and vulnerable. 

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For all who work in healthcare: give strength to all who look after the sick so that they may bring comfort and relief to the suffering. 

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

For the Church: may she offer prayers and consolation for all those affected.

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer

For our local community and all for those in need: may those who are isolated know the support and service of their neighbours. 

Lord, in your mercy. Hear our prayer.

Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed by thy name;
they kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Prayer for Spiritual communion 

I prostrate myself at your feet, O my Jesus, and I offer you the repentance of my contrite heart, which abases itself in its nothingness in Your Holy Presence. I adore you in the Sacrament of Your Love; I desire to receive You in the poor abode that my heart offers You. While waiting for the happiness of a Sacramental Communion, I want to possess You in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, that I may come to You. May Your love inflame my whole being, in life and in death. I believe in You. I hope in You. I love You.
Amen.

Memorare

Remember O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that anyone
who fled to thy protection, implored thy help,
or sought thy intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, we fly unto thee,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do we come,
before thee do we stand sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not our petitions,
but in thy mercy hear and answer us.
Amen.

Prayer for the Year of the Word

Living God, you walk alongside us and speak to us throughout the Scriptures.
Your Son, Jesus Christ, listens to our hopes and fears and shows us how to live for one another.
Send us the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds, so that we may be your witnesses throughout the world.
Amen.

Your word is our path and your truth is our light.
This day and every day.
Our Lady of the Annunciation. Pray for us.
St Matthew. Pray for us.
St. Jerome. Pray for us.

A Prayer for protection in times of pandemic

O Mary,
you always brighten our path
as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who, at the Cross, 
took part in Jesus’ pain while remaining steadfast in faith.
O loving Mother,
you know what we need,
and we are confident you will provide for us as at Cana in Galilee.
Intercede for us with your Son Jesus,
the Divine Physician,
for those who have fallen ill,
for those who are vulnerable,
and for those who have died. 
Intercede also for those charged with protecting the health and safety of others and for those who are tending to the sick and seeking a cure.
Help us, O Mother of Divine Love,
to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who took upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows,
so as to lead us, through the Cross,
to the glory of the Resurrection.
Amen.

Under thy protection, we seek refuge, O Holy Mother of God.
In our needs, despise not our petitions, but deliver us always from all dangers, O glorious and blessed Virgin.
Amen.

Conclusion

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.