Every day, we will post a few brief prayers inspired by the Liturgy of the Hours.
O Lord, open my lips. And my mouth shall declare your praise.
Psalm 81
Ring out your joy to God our strength, shout in triumph to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and sound the timbrel, the sweet-sounding harp and the lute; blow the trumpet at the new moon, when the moon is full, on our feast. For this is Israel’s law, a command of the God of Jacob. He imposed it as a rule on Joseph, when he went out against the land of Egypt. A voice I did not know said to me: “I freed your shoulder from the burden; your hands were freed from the load. You called in distress and I saved you. I answered, concealed in the storm cloud; at the waters of Meribah I tested you. Listen, my people, to my warning. O Israel, if only you would heed! Let there be no foreign god among you. no worship of an alien god. I am the Lord your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. But my people did not heed my voice and Israel would not obey, so I left them in their stubbornness of heart to follow their own designs. O that my people would heed me, that Israel would walk in my ways! At once I would subdue their foes, turn my hand against their enemies. The Lord’s enemies would cringe at their feet and their subjection would last for ever. But Israel I would feed with finest wheat and fill them with honey from the rock.”
Reading: Hebrews 13:12-15
Jesus died outside the gate, to sanctify the people by his own blood. Let us go to him outside the camp, bearing the insult which he bore. For here we have no lasting city; we are seeking one which is to come. Through him let us continually offer God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which acknowledge his name.
The Canticle of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, My spirit rejoices in God, my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
Intercessions
Today our Savior left us the gift of the Holy Eucharist. Let us ask him: Enrich your Church through the celebration of the Eucharist, Jesus, you are the bread of life! Help all priests to live their vocation worthily, Jesus, you are the bread of life! In your mercy, raise up the dead to eternal life, Jesus, you are the bread of life!
Dear Jesus, You gave us the Holy Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. As we contemplate your great gift, may we celebrate this feast with a truly thankful spirit. Amen.
