Easter Vigil A

The following are prayerful resources rather than a liturgy.

  • The gospel for the day
  • Some optional questions for reflection
  • Prayers of Intercession
  • Cluster Prayer
  • The gospel of the week ahead with questions

Matt 28:1-10  He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you into Galilee.


After the sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week,

Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulchre.

And all at once there was a violent earthquake, for the angel of the Lord,

descending from heaven, came and rolled away the stone and sat on it.

His face was like lightning, his robe white as snow.

The guards were so shaken, so frightened of him, that they were like dead men.

But the angel spoke; and he said to the women,

‘There is no need for you to be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said he would. Come and see the place where he lay, then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has risen from the dead and now he is going before you to Galilee; it is there you will see him.” Now I have told you.’

Filled with awe and great joy the women came quickly away from the tomb and ran to tell the disciples.
And there, coming to meet them, was Jesus.

‘Greetings’ he said. And the women came up to him and, falling down before him, clasped his feet.

Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; they will see me there.’


This is the gospel of the Lord.

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved.


Having used our prayer resources, you might want simply to reflect yourself on them and how that might flow into your coming week. Some people have found it very helpful to meet with others and share their thoughts.
If you are interested  in joining a small group to share your thoughts and feelings about God's Word from any of the resources you have watched please email us.         cluster.alpha@outlook.com

Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

  1. Women play an important role at the foot of the cross and at the empty tomb.
    What women have played an important role in your faith life? How?
  2. What is your experience of resurrection in your own life or the life of your family?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center

Prayers of Intercession

 

May the joy of this Easter day, as we celebrate Jesus’ glorious victory over sin and death, strengthen us and show in the way that we live lives of love and service.                           

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia


Pope Francis encouraged young people recently when he said, “Arise! Testify joyfully that Christ is alive! Spread his message of love and salvation among your contemporaries.” We pray for all young people. May the hope of the resurrection strengthen their faith in the Risen Lord, Jesus.

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia


We yearn and pray for our world to be free from war, civil unrest, hatred, violence, poverty and injustice. Let us pray especially for all who live in the Holy Land today. May international law and human rights be respected. We pray that the systematic violence of the Israeli state against Palestinians will cease, and that Palestinians will hold to the path of non-violent resistance. May we by our prayers and actions help a just future to be established in the land that we call Holy

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia


For ourselves in this Easter season that our understanding of the goodness and mercy of God will grow and develop as we seek to deepen our commitment to the Way of Christ, the way of mercy, forgiveness and compassion.

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia


We pray for all newly baptised this Easter and for those received into the full communion of the Church. Maisie, Natasha, Lennon Alfie, Francesco, Cristian, Rosaria, Hannah, Meghan, Justin, Simon.

May they continue to journey with their communities in faith, hope and service

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia

 

For all who suffer because of illness, loss or tragedy, that they may find strength in their faith and in the kindness and compassion of friends and loved ones.

We pray especially for Michael Rodrigues

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia


For all who have died recently especially, Alan Carnahan, Paul Igoe, Flordelina Ramirez that they may share in the glory of the risen Jesus.

The Lord is Risen .. alleluia alleluia

 

We will now say the Missionary Prayer together.

Prayer to be Missionary Disciples

Picture of Jesus at door

Lord continue to bless our community
in this time of transition.
Help us on our journey
to grow from a maintenance church
to a missionary church.
Give us the courage
to be missionary disciples.
Make our doors wide enough
to receive all who need
human love and fellowship;
narrow enough to shut out
all envy, pride and prejudice.
Kindle in us the fire of your love
that all who come here
will find joy, peace and love.
Make this a house of prayer
and a gateway to your kingdom.
AMEN

Preparing for next week -  2nd Sunday of Easter A

John 20: 19-31 Eight days later, Jesus came.

In the evening of that same day, the first day of the week, the doors were closed in the room where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them. He said to them, ‘Peace be with you’, and showed them his hands and his side. The disciples were filled with joy when they saw the Lord, and he said to them again,

‘Peace be with you. ‘As the Father sent me, so am I sending you.’
After saying this he breathed on them and said:
‘Receive the Holy Spirit. For those whose sins you forgive, they are forgiven;
for those whose sins you retain, they are retained.’

Thomas, called the Twin, who was one of the Twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. When the disciples said, ‘We have seen the Lord’, he answered, ‘Unless I see the holes that the nails made in his hands and can put my finger into the holes they made, and unless I can put my hand into his side, I refuse to believe.’

Eight days later the disciples were in the house again and Thomas was with them. The doors were closed, but Jesus came in and stood among them. ‘Peace be with you’ he said. Then he spoke to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; look, here are my hands. Give me your hand; put it into my side. Doubt no longer but believe.’ Thomas replied, ‘My Lord and my God!’

Jesus said to him: ‘You believe because you can see me.
Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe.’
There were many other signs that Jesus worked and the disciples saw, but they are not recorded in this book. These are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing this you may have life through his name.

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Copyright © 1996-2021 Universalis Publishing Limited: see www.universalis.com.

Scripture readings from the Jerusalem Bible are published and copyright © 1966, 1967 and 1968 by Darton, Longman & Todd, Ltd and Doubleday, a division of Random House, Inc.

Text of the Psalms: Copyright © 1963, The Grail (England). All rights reserved


Questions for reflection (framed for a group discussion)

  1. Do you ever identify with Thomas in your spiritual life? How do you handle periods of doubt?
  2. We show our faith when we demonstrate courage in the face of difficulty.
    What could you do this week to help strengthen someone?*

* All second questions © The Pastoral Center