Day 9
Source of All Blessings
A. Opening Song
Tantum Ergo
St. Thomas Quinas
Down in adoration falling,
Lo! the sacred Host we hail,
Lo! oe'r ancient forms departing
Newer rites of grave prevail;
Faith for all defects supplying,
Where the feeble senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son Who reigns on high
With the Holy Spirit proceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be salvation, honor blessing,
Might and endless majesty. Amen.
B. SCRIPTURE READING
(Deuteronomy 6:5-9)
You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
C. MEDITATION
Blessing is a divine and life-giving action, the source of which is the Father; his blessing is both word and gift. When applied to man, the word "blessing" means adoration and surrender to his Creator in thanksgiving. (CCC 1078)
From the beginning until the end of time the whole of God's work is a blessing. From the liturgical poem of the first creation to the canticles of the heavenly Jerusalem, the inspired authors proclaim the plan of salvation as one vast divine blessing. (CCC 1079)
D. PRAYER
(The Lord's Prayer)
Our Father in heaven, holy be Your name,
Your kingdom come, Your will be done
on the earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins as we forgive
those who sin against us. Do not bring us
to the test but deliver us from evil. Amen.
E. LITANY TO GOD THE FATHER
Leader: O God, Father of Heaven
All: * Have mercy on us.
: O God, Son, Redeemer of the World *
: O God, Holy Spirit *
: Father, Creator of the world *
: Father, eternal wisdom *
: Father, infinite goodness *
: Father, bountiful *
: Father, fount of everything *
: Father, most sweet *
: Father, infinite mercy *
: Father, and defender *
: Father, our glory and happiness *
: Father, wealth of all people *
: Father, triumph of all nations *
: Father, hope of all Christians *
: Father, splendor of the Church *
: Father, splendor of kings *
: Father, overturner of idols *
: Father, consolation of people *
: Father, happiness of priests *
: Father, guide of men and women *
: Father, gift of family life *
: Father, help of the poor *
: Father, guide of youth *
: Father, friend of children *
: Father, freedom of slaves *
: Father, light of those who live in darkness *
: Father, destroyer of the proud *
: Father, wisdom of the just *
: Father, rest in tribulations *
: Father, hope in toil *
: Father, harbor of safety in danger *
: Father, consolation of the afflicted *
: Father, refuge of the hopeless *
: Father, refuge of orphans *
: Father, refuge of the aged *
: Father, refuge of the dying *
: Father, that relieves our thirst and poverty *
: Father, life of the dead *
: Father, glory of all the saints *
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
* forgive us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
* graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world,
* have mercy on us, O Lord.
Prayer:
(taken from "The Father Speaks to His Children" p.68-69)
Father, the world needs You
Every person needs You
The heavy and polluted air needs You.
We beg You, dear Father
Come back to walk the streets of the world
Come back to live among Your people
Come back to guide the nations
Come back to bring peace with Your justice
Come back to bring the fire of Your love.
So... redeemed by sorrows
we can become a new creation.
Amen.
F. CLOSING SONG
I Will Serve You
Bill Gather
I will serve You
Because I love You
You have given life to me.
I was nothing until You found me.
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken people,
You have given life to me.
Ruined lives are why you died on Calvary.
Your touch was what I longed for,
You have given life to me.