MASS READING - FRIDAY 11TH AUGUST 2017

Friday of week 18 in Ordinary Time
 (Saint Clare, Virgin )

Liturgical Colour: White.


Readings at Mass

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Entrance Antiphon
Cf. Ps 148:12-14

Let the virgins praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his splendour is above heaven and earth.


Or
Cf. Ps 44: 16

The virgins to the King are escorted amid gladness and joy;
they are led within the temple to the Lord and King.


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Collect

O God, who in your mercy led Saint Clare to a love of poverty,
grant, through her intercession,
that, following Christ in poverty of spirit,
we may merit to contemplate you
one day in the heavenly Kingdom.
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.


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First reading
Deuteronomy 4:32-40

Moses said to the people: ‘Put this question to the ages that are past, that went before you, from the time God created man on earth: Was there ever a word so majestic, from one end of heaven to the other? Was anything ever heard? Did ever a people hear the voice of the living God speaking from the heart of the fire, as you heard it, and remain alive? Has any god ventured to take to himself one nation from the midst of another by ordeals, signs, wonders, war with mighty hand and outstretched arm, by fearsome terrors – all this that the Lord your God did for you before your eyes in Egypt?
    ‘This he showed you so that you might know that the Lord is God indeed and that there is no other. He let you hear his voice out of heaven for your instruction; on earth he let you see his great fire, and from the heart of the fire you heard his word. Because he loved your fathers and chose their descendants after them, he brought you out from Egypt, openly showing his presence and his great power, driving out in front of you nations greater and more powerful than yourself, and brought you into their land to give it you for your heritage, as it is still today.
    ‘Understand this today, therefore, and take it to heart: the Lord is God indeed, in heaven above as on earth beneath, he and no other. Keep his laws and commandments as I give them to you today, so that you and your children may prosper and live long in the land that the Lord your God gives you for ever.’


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Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 76(77):12-16,21

I remember the deeds of the Lord.

I remember the deeds of the Lord,
    I remember your wonders of old,
I muse on all your works
    and ponder your mighty deeds.

I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Your ways, O God, are holy.
    What god is great as our God?
You are the God who works wonders.
    You showed your power among the peoples.

I remember the deeds of the Lord.

Your strong arm redeemed your people,
    the sons of Jacob and Joseph.
You guided your people like a flock
    by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

I remember the deeds of the Lord.


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Gospel Acclamation
1S3:9,Jn6:68

Alleluia, alleluia!
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life.
Alleluia!


Or
Mt5:10

Alleluia, alleluia!
Happy those who are persecuted
in the cause of right,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Alleluia!


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Gospel
Matthew 16:24-28

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?
    ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour. I tell you solemnly, there are some of these standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming with his kingdom.’


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Prayer over the Offerings

As we proclaim your wonders, O Lord,
in the commemoration of the holy Virgins N. and N.,
we bring you these offerings and prayers;
grant, we ask,
that, as their merits are pleasing to you,
so, too, our dutiful service may find favour in your sight.
Through Christ our Lord.


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Communion Antiphon
Cf. Mt 25: 10

The bridegroom has come, and the virgins who were ready
have gone with him into the wedding feast.


Or
Jn 14: 21, 23

Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father,
and I will come to him and reveal myself to him.


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Prayer after Communion

May the mysteries we have received, O Lord,
on this feast day of the Virgins blessed N. and N.
constantly bestir and enlighten us, we pray,
so that we may stand ready for the coming of your Son
and be admitted to his wedding feast on high.
Through Christ our Lord.