Thursday, Fourth Sunday of Easter

Leader: O Lord, open my lips. All: And my mouth shall declare your praise.
The Lord is risen, alleluia.

Psalm 143:1-11

Antiphon:  Be true to your name, O Lord, and preserve my life, alleluia.

Lord, listen to my prayer:
turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful, you are just; give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment
for no one is just in your sight.

The enemy pursues my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me dwell in darkness
like the dead, long forgotten.
Therefore my spirit fails;
my heart is numb within me.

I remember the days that are past:
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought
and to you I stretch out my hands.
Like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.

Lord, make haste and answer;
for my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face
lest I become like those in the grave.

In the morning let me know your love
for I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk:
to you I lift up my soul.

Rescue me, Lord, from my enemies;
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will
for you, O Lord, are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me
in ways that are level and smooth.

For your name’s sake, Lord, save my life;
in your justice save my soul from distress. 

Glory to the Father...

Antiphon:  Be true to your name, O Lord, and preserve my life, alleluia.

Reading: From a treatise on John by St. Augustine

A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; not as men love one another for their own selfish ends, nor merely on account of their common humanity, but because they are all gods and sons of the Most High. They love one another as God loves them so that they may be brothers of his only Son. He will lead them to the goal that alone will satisfy them, where all their desires will be fulfilled. For when God is all in all, there will be nothing left to desire.

Pray either the Canticle of Zechariah or the Canticle of Mary. You can find them here.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Zechariah:    No disciple is greater than his teacher; he should be glad to become like his master, alleluia.
Antiphon for the Canticle of Mary:    I am the shepherd of my sheep. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly, alleluia. 

Intercessions

May we accept your testimony.
Lord, hear our prayer!
Pour out the gift of your Spirit upon us.
Lord, hear our prayer!
May we always do your will.
Lord, hear our prayer!

Heavenly Father,
Your Son came to give testimony to the truth. May we follow his example and spread his message throughout the world. We ask this in his name in union with the Holy Spirit. Amen.