SPIRTUAL COMMUNION FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME 2021
✠In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Where our love of neighbour and of God
has been less than it should,
let us call to mind our sins
I confess to almighty God that I have greatly sinned
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever Virgin,
and all the Angels and Saints,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, ✠forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life.
THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Almighty ever-living God,
who govern all things, both in heaven and on earth,
mercifully hear the pleading of your people
and bestow your peace on our times.
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.
FIRST READING - 1 Sam 3:3-10. 19
Samuel was lying in the sanctuary of the Lord where the ark of God was,
when the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!” He answered, “Here I am.”
Then he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am, since you called me.”
Eli said, “I did not call. Go back and lie down.”
So he went and lay down. Once again the Lord called, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, since you called me.”
He replied, “I did not call you, my son; go back and lie down.”
Samuel had as yet no knowledge of the Lord
and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
Once again the Lord called, the third time.
He got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, since you called me.”
Eli then understood that it was the Lord who was calling the boy,
and he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down, and if someone calls say,
‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening’.”
So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
The Lord then came and stood by, calling as he had done before,
“Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.”
Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him
and let no word of his fall to the ground.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 39
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
I waited, I waited for the Lord
and he stooped down to me;
he heard my cry.
He put a new song into my mouth,
praise of our God.
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
You do not ask for sacrifice and offerings,
but an open ear.
You do not ask for holocaust and victim.
Instead, here am I.
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
In the scroll of the book it stands written
that I should do your will.
My God, I delight in your law
in the depth of my heart.
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
Your justice I have proclaimed
in the great assembly.
My lips I have not sealed;
you know it, O Lord.
Here I am Lord! I come to do your will.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
THE GOSPEL according to John, chapter 1, beginning at verse 35.
As John stood with two of his disciples, Jesus passed, and John stared hard at him and said,
“Look, there is the lamb of God.”
Hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus.
Jesus turned round, saw them following and said, “What do you want?” They answered, “Rabbi,” – which means Teacher – “where do you live?” “Come and see” he replied;
so they went and saw where he lived,
and stayed with him the rest of that day. It was about the tenth hour.
One of these two who became followers of Jesus, after hearing what John had said was Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter.
Early next morning, Andrew met his brother and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” – which means the Christ – and he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked hard at him and said “You are Simon son of John; you are to be called Cephas” – meaning Rock.
HOMILY - DISCIPLES WANTED. Apply within.
Two men followed Jesus that day who had been followers of John the Baptist.
“What do you want?” asked Jesus. He needed to know – were they nationalists? Were they looking for a political leader to smash the Roman occupation?
Were they ambitious for power in a revolutionary new government?
Or were they men of prayer following a spiritual path,
looking for a Teacher to guide them?
Well, they answered Him, “Rabbi,” – which means Teacher; so perhaps they were holy people after all. Those men had things they wanted to share with Jesus. They didn’t want to talk these things through in front of all and sundry, so when they asked where His home was, He invited them;
“Come and see” and took them to the place in which he was lodging, remaining, His home.
They talked for some time.
John notes that they left at 4pm in the afternoon; John was probably one of those two,and because it was such a significant encounter, he remembered every detail, even the time!
Andrew was the named inquirer, the brother of Simon Peter, Andrew, who was known as “the brother of Peter”,
Andew who was content to be second to Peter, who turned out to be, in his own estimate, second to none!
It was Andrew’s joy to bring others to Jesus - his own brother, the lad with loaves and fishes, the enquiring Greeks are just three such introductions.
If this small passage shows us anything, it’s how Jesus looks at us.
When he looked at those three men then,and when he looks at us today,
he saw what they could become;
he sees what we can become, whatever age we are, whatever our experience.He looks at us and sees the possibilities. So when he saw Simon, he saw not just a good fisherman, but one with steady qualities, the rock, the foundation-sort of person upon whom to build the Church.
This morning, as on any morning, Jesus asks you and me “What do you want?”
Am I searching for some kind of peace of mind? Why did I come? What am I getting out of this? hat does my faith add to my life? What am I really trying to get out of life? What is my purpose?
Am I searching for security? Am I looking for the best way I can use my talents? Gifts? Like those three in our passage, He looked at them,let them speak as He spoke with them, and saw their potential.
Let Jesus look at you, let Him speak with you as you speak to Him, and let him see your potential. Place yourself into the hands of Our Lord today, and talk to Him about your discipleship. Are you called to be a Peter, desperate to please Jesus? Are you more of an Andrew, wanting to introduce others to Jesus? We could do with a few more Andrews in our Churches! Are you more like John, one who listens to Jesus and loves Him deeply?
What can a conversation with Jesus release within you?
William Barclay tells a story about Michelangelo, who was chipping away at a large piece of shapeless rock. Someone asked him
“what are you doing?”
”I’m releasing the angel imprisoned in this marble” replied Michelangelo.
Place yourself into the hands of Our Lord today; let him release the hidden angel within you, the hidden potential that in His hands can make the world around you beautiful and useful to God and humanity. PRAYER: Lord, In a world of never-ending possibilities it is easy to fear reaching out to try new things. Help us never to lose sight of you, and the invitation to dream of a world where all can fulfill their full potential, including me. AMEN.
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.
THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For a joyful spirit: that as we recognize the gift of our relationships
and the many blessings that God has given us, our hearts may be
grateful, and our spirits filled with joy
For freedom of spirit: that God will free us from selfishness,
prejudice, and fear so that we may be sisters and brothers
to one another
For all who are held captive whether by economic situations, lack of
education, or by addiction: that God will free them and open new
opportunities for life, growth, and wholeness.
For God's loving presence to give strength and hope to those who
are in isolation, awaiting surgery or the birth of a child,
or who are caring for the sick or dying.
For all public officials: that God will move them to recognize and take
action to address the needs of the poor, the homeless, the elderly,
and children so that no one will be forgotten in our communities
For all who are suffering economically: that God will guide the
unemployed to new work, bring relief to those who face losing their
homes, and open new resources for those who do not have enough
food
For all who are working to defeat the coronavirus: that God will
speed the implementation of the vaccine, guide those who are
distributing it, and help those who are administering it
For all who are ill: that God's healing love may renew
and strengthen all who are ill or recovering from surgery.
For all who have died. Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon them.
We ask Mary to pray with us, as we with her bring our care for the situation in which we find ourselves;
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Almighty God, by whose grace alone we are accepted and called to your service: strengthen us by your Holy Spirit and make us worthy of our calling;Merciful Father,accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
THANKS AND PRAISE
Let us lift up our hearts.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is truly right and just to give you thanks
and raise to you a hymn of glory and praise,
O Lord, Father of infinite goodness.
For by the word of your Son’s Gospel
you have brought together one Church
from every people, tongue, and nation,
and, having filled her with life by the power of your Spirit,
you never cease through her
to gather the whole human race into one.
Manifesting the covenant of your love,
she dispenses without ceasing
the blessed hope of your Kingdom
and shines bright as the sign of your faithfulness,
which in Christ Jesus our Lord
you promised would last for eternity.
And so, with all the Powers of heaven,
we worship you constantly on earth, while,
with all the Church, as one voice we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth
are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy 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.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
This is holy space
God is here - you are welcome
This is your space to be with God
And God's space to be with you
Make yourself at home
Be yourself
Be real
There's no rush
Let God love you
Let God know you
Let God heal you
Let God speak to you
Receive from God
Commune with God…..
Sit for a moment in silence
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy Sacrament.
I love You above all things,
and I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
receive You sacramentally,
come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You.
Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples,
‘I am with you always’.
Be with me today, as I offer myself to you.
Hear my prayers for others and for myself,
and keep me in your care. Amen.
Silent Prayer
ASKING GOD’S BLESSING
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good; render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;
help the afflicted; honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and may the ✠ blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, ✠
and the Holy Spirit, come down upon us
and remain with us for ever.
THE ANGELUS
The angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death.
And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt amongst us.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts, that as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his ✠ Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of his Resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us bless the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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