Advent 2

Song

Psalm

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul,
to you, my God.

My God, I trust you, let me not be disappointed;
do not let my enemies triumph.
Those who hope in you shall not be disappointed,
but only those who wantonly break faith.

Lord, make me know your ways.
Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my savior.

In you I hope all the day long
because of your goodness, O Lord.
Remember your mercy, Lord,
and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of years past.
In your love remember me.

The Lord is good and upright,
showing the path to those who stray,
guiding the humble in the right path,
and teaching the way to the poor.

Reading

Paul wrote: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

or

Jesus said to Nicodemus, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, You must be born from above. The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Song

Silence

Intercessions

God our Father, we bless you for having called us to know you, to love you and to live with you.
—Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

You sent your beloved Son, your perfect image and the reflection of your face; he became like us in all things but sin.
—Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

In him you proclaimed the good news of your Kingdom; you forgive our offenses and heal our wounds.
—Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

Keep us in the communion of your Son; keep us alert as we wait for the day of his coming.
—Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

Give us your peace, so that we can communicate it to one another in mutual love, and serve the human family.
—Maranatha, the Lord is coming!

Our Father

Prayer

Jesus our joy, the simple desire for your presence is already the beginning of faith. And, in our life, the hidden event of a longing causes wellsprings to gush forth: kindness, generosity, and also that inner harmony which comes from the Holy Spirit in us.

or

Bless us, Lord Christ; you give us a Gospel freshness when a heart that trusts is at the beginning of everything

Songs