Third Sunday of Easter – April 26
For use in the home
Adapted from Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather in a place where an environment appropriate for prayer can be created. Instrumental music may be played or an appropriate song may played or sung. Parish music directors should be able to provide additional appropriate song choices.
A musician can lead one of the following songs or all can sing along to recording (YouTube, etc)
Possibilities: In the Breaking of the Bread (Hurd) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVC2e7IdF2g
In the Breaking of the Bread (Ward) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eExBStKG3kA
Two Were Bound for Emmaus https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMpe3jVtFMs
Christ is Risen (Maher) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur18pw3m5qM
Emmaus (Alonso) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBmqxMAe29g
Along This Holy Way (DeSilva) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s-G19_ElGI
Eye Has Not Seen (Haugen) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jYgOQC82aU
LEADER: We gather here to celebrate the Lord’s Day. Sunday has been called the Lord’s
Day because it was on this day that Jesus conquered sin and death and rose to new life. While we are not able to celebrate Mass today and receive Holy Communion, let us be united in the Spirit of Christ with the Church around the world as we celebrate our redemption in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.
All make the sign of the cross as leader continues:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
ALL: Amen
LEADER: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be God forever.
ALL: Blessed be God forever.
LEADER: Let us Pray.
All pray in silence for a short time, then leader continues:
God of all creation, we gather on this first day of the week made holy by the resurrection of Christ. In the waters of baptism we were buried with Christ so that we might also rise with him and so share his victory over sin and death.
You have transformed our lives into the living stones that form your Church with Christ as the foundation stone.
Strengthen our community’s bond of communion and peace during this uncertain time, and deepen our solidarity with your Church throughout the whole world. Rekindle in us today the vision of your kingdom so that our daily concerns and labor may find their proper perspective.
Fill our homes with the spirit of the Gospel and give us the grace to see the true face of the people with whom we live. In a world torn by fear, sin and division make us instruments of reconciliation and mercy.
The good news of Easter fills our hearts with joy as we remember Christ’s victory over death. In him, who offered his life on the cross, a broken world has been renewed and the promise of eternal life made sure.
May we who celebrate Christ’s resurrection this day share in his eternal glory where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
The readings and psalm are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary for Mass.
Visit http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042620.cfm for the readings for April 26.
FIRST READING: The First Reading is proclaimed by someone other than the leader. Begin with “A reading from the Acts of the Apostles” …” and close with “The Word of the Lord.”
THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM: The Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 16) is sung or read.
SECOND READING: The second reading is proclaimed by someone other than the leader. Begin with “A reading from the First Letter of Peter” …” and close with “The Word of the Lord.:
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Gospel Acclamation given in the Lectionary is sung.
If is not sung, it should be omitted and leader continues with Gospel.
CANTOR: Alleluia! (Sing a favorite version of the Alleluia, and have all repeat)
CANTOR: Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us; make our hearts burn while
you speak to us. (All: Alleluia!)
GOSPEL: The Gospel is proclaimed by the leader. Begin with “A reading from the Holy Gospel According to Luke” and conclude with “The Gospel of the Lord.”
REFLECTION ON THE READINGS: Parish Catechetical Leaders can be consulted for appropriate materials and sources for reflection and sharing on the readings. The following options for reflection are provided but can be adapted as necessary by parishes. In addition, the pastor may wish to provide a homily which can be played or read by the leader at this time.
- LECTIO DIVINA (for more background and information on this type of prayer visit usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions)
Take the passage “Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” or another short phrase that stood out to you and repeat it several times. Place yourself in the story. As you repeat the phrase, meditate on the people and the actions of the story. Have the leader read the Gospel again if necessary.
Meditate on what this phrase means to you at this point in your life.
Share your personal response to the text: Allow everyone to simply share their thoughts and feelings about what the text means to them. Dialogue and converse about each other’s responses after the prayer service over a meal.
Take time in silence to personally encounter how Christ has touched you and those you are with through your meditation on this story.
- QUESTION(S) OF THE WEEK
Share together some or all of the following questions based on the scriptures:
Where do you find strength and/or courage when something new is required of you? In the life of discipleship, how do you perceive Jesus as walking alongside you? What spiritual practices bring you closer to Jesus? For forty days of Lent, we take up practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving … There are fifty days of celebration in the Easter season: How can you and your family or community continue to keep the Easter feast alive?
After the reflections or sharing, a period of sacred silence for further meditation on the readings may be observed.
If there are catechumens or elect present, after the silence, continue breaking open the Word of God if necessary to conclude the celebration (Parish RCIA Coordinators will be helpful with providing additional materials to facilitate this) and then close with the Concluding Rite
PROFESSION OF FAITH: Recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed
www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and-devotions/prayers/basic-prayers.cfm
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
LEADER: With faith in God’s promises, let us now present our needs and petitions.
READER: For all members of the Church, may we be renewed in our desire to draw close to the risen Lord, testifying to Christ’s promise of salvation to all humanity, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For politicians, legislators, and government officials, may they empathize with those whom they serve, showing mutual respect and care for all people, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For those who are having difficulty providing enough food for their family, and for all who are working in every way to continuously provide food equitably during this time, we pray to the Lord …
READER: For all care-givers, health-care workers, first responders, and essential personnel; for all those who are working to heal the sick and suffering during this pandemic, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For all young people discerning a vocation, may they answer God’s call to a religious vocation, the priesthood or lay service in the Church, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For all of us, may we be generous with our abundance to those in need, striving to recognize Jesus in those we encounter on our journeys, we pray to the Lord…
READER: For all who have died, (mention any names…) especially victims of COVID-19, to attain the fullness of life in the eternal kingdom, we pray to the Lord…
LEADER: Ever-living God, hear our prayers that we might be broken and shared for others, for the life of the world. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
ALL: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be prayed at this time
PRAYER FOR SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
ALL: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
ACT OF THANKSGIVING
The act of thanksgiving may be a song, hymn, psalm, canticle, or litany. See music choices above. Parish music directors may advise their communities on additional appropriate choices within parish repertoire for the season.
CONCLUDING RITE
LEADER: May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life.
ALL: Amen
SIGN OF PEACE
If appropriate, all may exchange a sign of peace
Another song or instrumental music may conclude the celebration.