‘The Lord is truly risen, alleluia.’ (Invitatory antiphon)
God’s people rejoice because God created the world so that they might live in God’s love. God is a loving parent to each one. When God created the world, God did so out of love and God saw everything that God created was very good. We can read the account of Creation in the Book of Genesis (Gen 1:1-2:4), the first book of the Old Testament. The Story of Creation may also be read from the ebooks on the VERITAS website at appropriate class levels.
Remember today is Earth Day 2020. Earth Day is celebrated annually internationally on April 22 to highlight protection for the environment. Earth Day offers an opportunity to care for our common home, to read Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ letter to the whole world and to play our role in caring for the environment today. Reading resources can be accessed in the eBooks on the VERITAS Grow in Love website.
The Gospel the priest reads at Mass today is a continuation of St John’s Gospel (Jn 3:16-21). By the way, it is possible to hear the priest reading the Gospel at Mass if you tune into the webcam of your parish church. Not all parishes have webcams but you will be able to check on your phone or computer. When the priest reads the Gospel the assembly of people stands. This is so everyone is alert to hear the Good News. The priest introduces the Gospel.
Before the Gospel is read you will hear a reading from the New Testament from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 5: 17-26). You will also hear a Psalm being read after the reading. Today you will hear verses read from Psalm 33. Sometimes the Psalm is sung. The Psalms are written in the Book of Psalms in the Old Testament. You will also hear the Gospel Acclamation where ‘Alleluia’ is recited or sung.
The children may be familiar with Psalm 139, Psalm 23, Psalm 148 and Psalm 37 from the Grow in Love programme.
Today in the Gospel (Jn 3:16-21) we hear how God loved the world and the people he created so much that he sent his Son Jesus to tell them of that great love. God did this so everyone might believe in Jesus and that they might have eternal life; ‘Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent’ (Jn 17:3). God says that Jesus was sent so ‘the world might be saved through him.’ So Jesus is the Saviour of the world. Jesus is the light of the world.
The Paschal Candle lit at the Easter Vigil represents Jesus, the light coming into the world and it is lit during the Easter season and at other times during the liturgical year. The Baptismal candles are lit during the Sacrament of Baptism from the Paschal Candle as a symbol of passing on the faith.
To live in the light means to live in God’s love and to follow Jesus and his teaching. We cannot do this on our own. God will give us the grace to help us and encourage us to live in the light. When we pray we can thank Jesus for being our light to guide our way. We can thank Jesus for always being present to us. In prayer we can ask Jesus to help us to send the Spirit so we can love God and love other people, even though sometimes it is difficult to do that. Jesus understands our weakness and he forgives our sins when we are truly sorry.
A variety of resources are available on The Story of Creation for various class levels from the VERITAS website which can be accessed:
Logon: www.veritas.ie
Email: trial@growinlove.ie
Password: growinlove
Appropriate songs to link with the liturgy today might be ‘Christ Be Our Light’, ‘Our God is an Awesome God’, ‘Bible Rap’, ‘Creation Story’, ‘God has Given Us the Earth’. All songs are available as video lyrics on GIL, Sixth Class on the website.
PRAY from Grow in Love/I nGrá Dé (eBooks)
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Comhartha na Croise
In ainm an Athar, agus an Mhic agus an Spioraid Naoimh. Áiméan.
Care For the Earth
God our Creator, you have given us
the earth, and the sky and the seas.
Show us how to care for the earth, not
just for today but for ages to come.
Let no plan or work of ours damage
or destroy the beauty of your creation.
Send forth your Spirit to direct us to
care for the earth and all creation. Amen
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, I want to do what is right. Help me.
Holy Spirt, I want to live like Jesus.
Guide me.
Holy Spirit, I want to pray like Jesus.
Teach me.
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom an rud ceart a dhéanamh.
Cabhraigh liom.
A Spioraid Naomh, ba mhaith liom maireachtáil mar a mhair Íosa.
Treoraigh mé.
A Spioraid Naoimh, ba mhaith liom
guí mar a ghuigh Íosa. Múin dom é.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God,
The Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our
Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
He descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from
the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God
the Father almighty,
from there he will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.
Mystery of Faith (Memorial Acclamation)
Celebrant: The mystery of faith
People: Save us, Saviour of the world,
For by your Cross and Resurrection
You have set us free.
‘God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not be lost but have eternal life.’ (Benedictus antiphon)
‘Live wisely, think deeply, love generously’ (Pope Francis).
Sr Anne Neylon