Sue O’Donnell. 14.03.21
“Perhaps He will give you a reprieve, sending you a blessing instead of this curse. Perhaps you will be able to offer grain and wine to the LORD your God as before.” (Joel 2 v 14 NLT)
Well, how amazing is this comment!
Here is a proclaimed prophecy.
Little could Joel have known exactly how
The marvel of this moment would evolve,
A blessing to dissolve all our sinfulness.
The Holy Eucharist, a Sacramental Mystery,
Is now, for everybody, such a blessing.
The blessing of forgiveness, of love in such mercy,
As won for us by Christ Jesus, at the †.
“Surely the LORD has done great things. Don’t be afraid, my people. Be glad now and rejoice, for the LORD has done great things.” (Joel 2 v 21 NLT)
God is with us in Christ Jesus, by the Holy Spirit,
To forgive us just as He promised He would.
Let us praise the Lord God of the miraculous,
Praise and offer all thanks through Christ Jesus.
Never ever again will we be disgraced by our sinfulness.
We are in receipt of all loving mercy.
The Lord Jesus atones at the †so we are not punished for sin.
He gifts us Himself sacramentally so that we begin again.
He is opening the gates of eternity, beyond the † of forgiveness.
“ ‘Then, after doing all those things I will pour out My Spirit upon all people’.” (Joel 2 v 28 NLT)
“ ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved...’” (Joel 2 v 32 NLT)
Let us pray with thanksgiving for all the blessings of faith, but most especially for the life giving celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Let us offer thanks for being able to give ourselves to the Lord God, offering our worship through Christ Jesus.
Let us offer praise for the righteousness of our new life, sharing in Christ Jesus’ holiness.
Let us pray respectfully for the light of Christ Jesus to shine daily in our everyday activities.
Let us pray to take up our cross to follow in the Lord’s footsteps.
Let us pray to extend Jesus’ Kingdom on earth, as we receive the supreme blessings of His most precious Body and Blood.
Let us pray to recognise all peoples as called to be Christ’s body on earth.
Let us pray as we journey continuously towards the promised hope beyond death, the real life where holy love reigns in all fullness.
Let us pray that more will recognise the call to heaven.
Let us pray gratefully that we journey with the Lord Jesus beside us, accompanied by the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray to live by the wisdom and truth, the Lord Jesus manifests to us, especially in the Sacramental Mystery.
Let us pray to always be an active and effective Spirit led part of the Lord Jesus’ vision for society.
Let us pray never to tire of seeking and asking for holy help, guidance and safeguarding.
Let us pray that in our sinfulness we feel truly sorrowful and repentant, but remain hopeful as we partake of the most precious Body and Blood of Christ Jesus, our Saviour.
Let us pray that so strengthened in holy communion, we will shun all sin.
Let us pray for the gift of piety to properly love and respect the Holy Trinity.
Let us pray in gratitude for the gift of wisdom, which enables us to know right from wrong, and want to abide by this.
Let us pray for the God given strength of the Holy Spirit to meet all ongoing challenges within society, with the love of the Lord Jesus uppermost in our hearts and on our minds.
Let us pray gratefully for all the love we experience from the Almighty Trinity, day by day.
Let us pray for a renewed spiritual awakening in our nation and across the world in general.
Let us pray to recognise the hand of Jesus at work, and to be able to support this with outstanding results.
Let us pray with thanksgiving for all the love, forgiveness, guidance, help, support, strengthening that comes through prayer.
Let us pray to be known by who we are, brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus, fully alive to the glory of God.
Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
Key Themes
EUCHARIST
OFFERING
