Opening Prayer
Eternal Trinity, Godhead, mystery deep as the sea, you could give no greater gift than the gift of yourself. For you are a fire ever-burning and never consumed, which itself consumes all the selfish love that fills my being. Yes, you are a fire that takes away the coldness, illuminates the mind with its light and causes me to know your truth. And I know that you are beauty and wisdom itself. The food of angels, you gave yourself to man in the fire of your love. Amen.
—Catherine of Siena, 1347-1380, From ‘The Catholic Encyclopedia’
TEXT
1 Corinthians 15:29-34 NRSV
Otherwise, what will those people do who receive baptism on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?
And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour? I die every day! That is as certain, brothers and sisters, as my boasting of you—a boast that I make in Christ Jesus our Lord. If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it? If the dead are not raised,
“Let us eat and drink,
for tomorrow we die.”
Do not be deceived:
“Bad company ruins good morals.”
Come to a sober and right mind, and sin no more; for some people have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
Psalm 126 NIV
When the Lord brought back the captives to Zion,
We were like those who dreamed.
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
Our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
“The Lord has done great things for them.”
The Lord has done great things for us,
And we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
Like streams in the Negev.
Those who sow in tears
Will reap with songs of joy.
He who goes out weeping,
Carrying seed to sow,
Will return with songs of joy,
Carrying sheaves with him.
Prayer of Intercession
Grant us, Lord, to know in weakness the strength of thy incarnation; in pain the triumph of thy passion; in poverty the riches of thy Godhead; in reproach the satisfaction of thy sympathy; in loneliness the comfort of thy continual presence; in difficulty the efficacy of thy intercession; in perplexity the guidance of thy wisdom; and by thy glorious death and resurrection bring us at last to the joy of seeing thee face to face.