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To: All
One Bread, One Body

One Bread, One Body

 

<< Thursday, May 4, 2006 >>
 
Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 66 John 6:44-51
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DAILY BREAD
 
"If anyone eats this bread he shall live forever; the bread I will give is My flesh, for the life of the world." —John 6:51
 

Jesus said we must feed on His flesh (Jn 6:51, 56). "At this the Jews quarreled among themselves, saying, 'How can He give us His flesh to eat?' " (Jn 6:52) "After hearing His words, many of His disciples remarked, 'This sort of talk is hard to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?' " (Jn 6:60) "From this time on, many of His disciples broke away and would not remain in His company any longer" (Jn 6:66).

Jesus caused quarrels and lost many disciples because of His statements regarding eating His flesh and drinking His blood. If He meant this symbolically or poetically, Jesus could have said so and set many peoples' minds at rest. Instead, He stated even more emphatically that His flesh was real food and His blood real drink (Jn 6:55).

Although we don't fully understand it, we must take the Bible as it stands and believe that in a real way Holy Communion is the very Body and Blood of Jesus. We must put our faith in Jesus and say: "You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe; we are convinced that You are God's Holy One" (Jn 6:69). No mere man can reveal this to us, only the heavenly Father (Mt 16:17). No one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws us (Jn 6:44).

Yield to the Father's draw. Walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Believe and receive Jesus in Holy Communion today and every day.

 
Prayer: Jesus, may I desire to receive You in Holy Communion every day of my life.
Promise: "Philip went down into the water with the eunuch and baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away." —Acts 8:38-39
Praise: Sadie saw the healing power of the Eucharist as she observed a co-worker grow in holiness when that person became a daily communicant.
 

15 posted on 05/04/2006 9:11:34 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: All
Compline -- Night Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen. Alleluia.


This is an excellent moment for an examination of conscience. In a communal celebration of Compline, one of the penitential acts given in the Missal may be recited.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.


Psalm 15 (16)
The Lord, my inheritance
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Preserve me, Lord, I put my hope in you.

I have said to the Lord “You are my Lord, in you alone is all my good”.
As for the holy and noble men of the land, in them is all my delight.
But for those who run to alien gods, their sorrows are many.
I will not share in their libations of blood. I will not speak their names.

You, Lord, are my inheritance and my cup. You control my destiny,
the lot marked out for me is of the best, my inheritance is all I could ask for.
I will bless the Lord who gave me understanding; even in the night my heart will teach me wisdom.
I will hold the Lord for ever in my sight: with him at my side I can never be shaken.
Thus it is that my heart rejoices, heart and soul together; while my body rests in calm hope.

You will not leave my soul in the underworld. You will not let your chosen one see decay.
You will show me the paths of life, the fullness of joy before your face, and delights at your right hand until the end of time.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Reading 1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you in every way and preserve your life and your soul and your body without blemish, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Short Responsory ?
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of faithfulness, alleluia, alleluia.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
- Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit, alleluia, alleluia.

Canticle Nunc Dimittis
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.
Now, Master, you let your servant go in peace.
 You have fulfilled your promise.
My own eyes have seen your salvation,
 which you have prepared in the sight of all peoples.
A light to bring the Gentiles from darkness;
 the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
 as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
 world without end.
Amen.
Keep us safe, Lord, while we are awake, and guard us as we sleep, so that we can keep watch with Christ and rest in peace. Alleluia.

Prayer
Let us pray.
Lord our God, we are tired by the work of the day. Refresh us with peaceful sleep and, forever renewed by the help you give, let us always be dedicated to you in body and mind.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

May the almighty Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
A M E N
Final Antiphon
Queen of Heaven, be joyful,
 Alleluia.
You who were worthy to bear him.
 Alleluia.
He has risen, as he promised.
 Alleluia.
Pray for us to God.
 Alleluia.

16 posted on 05/04/2006 9:14:37 PM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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