Thurs, Dec 4, 2008, 1st week of Advent

Entrance Antiphon
Lord, you are near, and all your commandments are just; long have I known that you decreed them for ever. (Ps 118:151-152)
Opening Prayers
Father, we need your help. Free us from sin and bring us to life. Support us by your power. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
(St. John of Damascus) Opening Prayers:
Lord, may the prayers of St. John Damascene help us, and may the true faith he taught so well always be our light and our strength. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Reading 1 (Is 26:1-6)
On that day they will sing this song in the land of Judah: “A strong city have we; he sets up walls and ramparts to protect us. Open up the gates to let in a nation that is just, one that keeps faith. A nation of firm purpose you keep in peace; in peace, for its trust in you.” Trust in the LORD forever! For the LORD is an eternal Rock. He humbles those in high places, and the lofty city he brings down; He tumbles it to the ground, levels it with the dust. It is trampled underfoot by the needy, by the footsteps of the poor.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 118:1 and 8-9, 19-21, 25-27a)
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Open to me the gates of justice; I will enter them and give thanks to the LORD. This gate is the LORD’s; the just shall enter it. I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
O LORD, grant salvation! O LORD, grant prosperity! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD; we bless you from the house of the LORD. The LORD is God, and he has given us light.
R. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia
Seek the LORD while he may be found; call him while he is near.
Alleluia, alleluia
Gospel (Mt 7:21, 24-27)
Jesus said to his disciples: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. “Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock. And everyone who listens to these words of mine but does not act on them will be like a fool who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and buffeted the house. And it collapsed and was completely ruined.”
Prayer over the Gifts
Pray, brethren...
Father, from all you give us we present this bread and wine. As we serve you now, accept our offering and sustain us with your promise of eternal life. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Preface
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our Lord. When he humbled himself to come among us as a man, he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago and opened for us the way to salvation. Now we watch for the day, hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory. And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy Lord…
Communion Antiphon
Let our lives be honest and holy in this present age, as we wait for the happiness to come when our great God reveals himself in glory. (Ti 2:12-13)
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray.
Father, may our communion teach us to love heaven. May its promise and hope guide our way on earth. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Sources:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/120408.shtml
Vatican ll Weekday Missal, Pauline Books & Media www.pauline.org