FOR FRIENDS AT HOLY TRINITY, WINCHESTER WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO COME
TO MASS TODAY, AND FOR OTHER FRIENDS
✠In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Lord Jesus, I come to you in sorrow for my failings,
and confess to you my weakness and unbelief.
and to you, my brothers and sisters,
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,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
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. Amen.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY
Look upon us, O God, Creator and ruler of all things, and, that we may feel the working of your mercy, grant that we may serve you with all our heart.
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 - Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9 Resentment and anger, these are foul things, and both are found with the sinner. He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord, who keeps strict account of sin.
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you, and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven. If a man nurses anger against another, can he then demand compassion from the Lord?
Showing no pity for a man like himself,
can he then plead for his own sins?
Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment; who will forgive him his sins? Remember the last things, and stop hating, remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.
Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will.
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger,
and rich in compassion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
The Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger,
and rich in compassion.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger,
and rich in compassion.
For as the heavens are high
above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness
toward those who love him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
The Lord is kind and merciful,
slow to anger, and rich in compassion.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION cf.Jn 6:68
Alleluia, alleluia! Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life. Alleluia!
GOSPEL - Matthew 18:21-35
Peter went up to Jesus and said,
‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me?
As often as seven times?’
Jesus answered,
‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king
who decided to settle his accounts with his servants.
When the reckoning began, they brought him a man
who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying,
so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife
and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt.
At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet.
“Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.”
And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him
that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
Now as this servant went out,
he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii;
and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him.
“Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’
Saint Paul wasn’t a patient man.
He got cross if other people didn’t fall-in with his plans.
For instance, his reaction when Barnabas wanted John Mark
to accompany them on their second missionary journey.
Paul would not hear of it:
In his view, John Mark had deserted them
so he shouldn’t be given another chance!
Another unforgiven person in Paul’s life
was Alexander the Coppersmith,
who, Paul says, did him a great deal of harm;
Paul wisely put the whole situation in the Lord’s hands –
“The Lord will repay him according to his deeds.”
Have you one such in your life? A neighbour, a colleague at work or in school;
a member of your family?
Someone who is out to contradict you?
Someone who makes things really awkward for you? Someone who puts the blame on you for their own inadequacies? Jesus’s Parable in our Gospel passage this morning, doesn’t make it easy.
It reminds us that, just as we are forgiven by “The King”
so we have a duty to forgive others in return.
“Treat others as you would like them to treat you”.
“love your enemies and do good”
“be compassionate”
“do not judge…….”
“Turn the other cheek”
Come on, Lord – this is all very well,
but there are one or two who are unlovable,
who deserve a taste of their own medicine!
Words for the Wise:
1. Do not waste your energy on those who make life difficult,
it will only drain your spirit, not theirs.
2. Be careful in what you say.
Rotary International – a guiding principle is “The Four Way Test”
1. Is it the truth?
2. Is it fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
4. Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
Sufism, and others, have spoken of three gates that need to be opened
before we open our mouths:
1. Is it True?
2. Is it Necessary?
3. Is it Kind?
4. PRAY for your difficult person!
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly” says Jesus; “To the one who slaps you on one cheek, offer the other!”It will put him/her into a different relationship with you; as the one who is needy before God, just as you are.
We are all in need of God’s forgiveness, and that puts us on equal footing. Take to heart these things that Jesus says to us and Jesus will take you to His Sacred Heart, and deliver you from the hands of the difficult people in your life.
In this week ahead, see what it is like to practice forgiveness,to pray for one who treats you badly,or who has done so in the past; it will be a remarkably releasing experience – for you!
Someone said: “You know you have forgiven someone
when he or she has harmless passage through your mind.”
Let us pray…..
Give me a heart of flesh,
the gift of your forgiving love,
that I may truly forgive as I hope to be forgiven. Gather us all, wounding and wounded, within the healing of your mercy and love.
NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, (All bow)
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL (Bidding Prayers)
In the power of the Spirit let us pray to the Father
through Christ the saviour of the world.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For forgiveness for the many times we have denied Jesus,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For grace to seek out those habits of sin which mean spiritual death,
and by prayer and self-discipline to overcome them,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For Christian people, that through the suffering of disunity
there may grow a rich union in Christ,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who make laws, interpret them and administer them,
that our common life may be ordered in justice and mercy,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who still make Jerusalem a battleground,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who have the courage and honesty
to work openly for justice and peace,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those in the darkness and agony of isolation,
that they may find support and encouragement,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who, weighed down with hardship,
failure, or sorrow,
feel that God is far from them,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For those who are tempted to give up the way of the cross,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
That we, with those who have died in faith,
may find mercy in the day of Christ,
let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
We ask Mary to pray with us, as we with her
bring our care and concern 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.
Lord God, you hold both heaven and earth in a single peace.
Let the design of your great love
shine on the waste of our anger and sorrow,
and give peace to your Church,
peace among nations, peace in our homes,
and peace in our hearts, in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
WE GIVE THANKS
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord. For by his birth he brought renewal
to humanity's fallen state,
and by his suffering, cancelled out our sins;
by his rising from the dead,
he has opened the way to eternal life,
and by ascending to you, O Father,
he has unlocked the gates of heaven.
And so, with the company of Angels and Saints,
we sing the hymn of your praise,
as without end 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.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles:
Peace I leave you, my peace I give you,
look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You are present
in the Most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if you were already there, and I unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. (Saint Alphonsus Liguori)
I desire to receive You into the poor dwelling that my heart offers You. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion, I wish to possess You in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to You! May Your love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You. (Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val)
A Time of quiet reflection, in which to receive the Lord’s Presence spiritually.
THE BLESSING
May Christ, who makes saints of sinners,
who has transformed those we remember today,
raise and strengthen us
that God through us may transform the world;
and the blessing of almighty God,
the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit,
come down on us and remain with us for ever. Amen.
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. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary. Holy Mary.
And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary. Holy Mary.
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray. 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.
