OPENING PRAYER:
(All)
Lord, you are calling each of us to come with you and to bring others with us as we journey toward the kingdom. We are Pilgrims, and need the help of your Son to strengthen our own calling and to help us discern the call of others. You alone, our God, can keep us ever aware of what you have offered to us all.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Let us listen to Jeremiah, the prophet, who tells us how God called him for his holy mission to the people of Israel.
Jeremiah 1: 4-10
(Pause for reflection)
God has known us, loved us from all time, and desires nothing but our happiness. Do I believe this? Am I able to remain open to God and trust God with my life? Have I considered how I can best use my talents to build God’s Kin-dom on earth?
Response:
(All): Lord, give me wisdom that I may recognize your will.
O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit or stand. When far away, you know my every thought. You chart the path ahead of me, and tell me where to stop and rest.
(Response) Lord, give me wisdom that I may recognize your will.
Every moment, you know where I am. You know what I am going to say before I even say it. You both precede and follow me, and place your hand of blessing on my head.
(Response) Lord, give me wisdom that I may recognize your will.
This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe: I can never be lost to your Spirit! I can never get away from my God! If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me.
(Response) Lord, give me wisdom that I may recognize your will.
PETITIONS:
Response: Father, we come to do your will.
Leader: We believe that our Loving God desires our happiness and fulfillment - in the security of this belief we offer our petitions:
For all young people, that they remain open to all the options available to them, we pray…
For all who are struggling with the decision to enter religious life, we pray…
For all the people of God who make up the Church – they strengthen the Body of Christ by living up to their responsibilities in the single, married, or religious life. For this, we pray…
For all those religious who have inspired us by their lives and are now sharing in the glory of the Kingdom in Heaven, we pray…
(Spontaneous Petitions)
CLOSING PRAYER:
(All) Lord God, you are our light and our salvation. You have known us and loved us for all time. Enlighten our minds and strengthen our faith that we may put our lives in Your hands and trust that You will bring us to total happiness. We ask this, Lord, in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.