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May 1 — St. Joseph the Worker
Invitation to Worship
We worship the Risen Christ, the Son of God,
who was called the son of Joseph.
O Holy One,+ open my lips.
~And my mouth will proclaim your praise.
The just one blossoms like a lily-Alleluia
~And grows forever in the sight of Adonai, Alleluia!
Morning Hymn St. Joseph
How blest was Joseph by our God: a man both just and kind;
The angel’s message trumped the law and filled his heart and mind.
Come now and praise the humble saint Of David’s house and line,
The carpenter whose life fulfilled Our gracious God’s design.
His wife became a fruitful vine enriching his abode.
Her Son, Anointed Bread and Wine, Was heaven’s gift bestowed.
For him there was no glory here, No crown or martyr’s fame,
For him there was the patient life Of faith and humble name.
But now within our Abba’s grace Where saints and angels throng,
Beside his Spouse, before her Son, He joins the heav’nly song.
All glory be to God the Son, the Abba’s image bright.
Who lived and worked in Joseph’s home, Revealed the Spirit’s light. Amen
Text: v. 1 The Daily Feast vv. 3&6 St. Meinrad, 1969; vv. 2,4 & 5 G. W. Williams; Tune: MORNING SONG CM
PSALMODY
Antiphon
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Psalm 46/47
All you peoples, clap your hands,
cry to God with shouts of joy!
For Adonai, the Most High is awesome and great;
and reigns over the Earth with such love!
God’s love overwhelms those who hate;
and changes foes into allies and friends.
All we have has been given by God,
given to us out of love.
God goes up with shouts of joy;
Adonai goes up with the blast of trumpets.
Sing praise for God, sing praise.
Sing praise to Love, sing praise!
God-Love reigns over all the earth,
sing praise with all your skill!
God-Love reigns over the nations;
God-Love is enthroned in holiness.
The holy ones from every tradition
are assembled with the saints of our own.
We are all one family of God
whose Love reigns over us all.
Glory to the One and to the Word
and to the Breath of Love
as always before,
so now and evermore. Amen.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
READING I Peter 1:18-21
You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold,
but with the precious blood of Christ,
like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.
He was destined before the foundation of the world,
but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.
Through him you have come to trust in God,
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are set on God.
Responsory
R. Our price was paid in the precious blood of Christ,
* a lamb without mark or blemish: alleluia, alleluia!.
V. Not with silver or gold were we ransomed, but with the blood of Christ
* a lamb without mark or blemish: alleluia, alleluia!
V. Glory to the Abba and the Word and the Holy Breath of Love.
Canticle of Zachariah
Antiphon
Whoever listens to my words
and believes in the ONE who sent me,
has eternal life, alleluia, alleluia!
Blessed + be Adonai, the God of Israel,
Who visits this people to set us free
Raising for us a sign of salvation
In the house and family of David.
God promised throughout past ages
In words of holy prophets
To save us from our enemies,
And from the control of our oppressors.
Adonai favored our ancestors
And remembered the sacred covenant.
The pledge to Abraham and Sarah
Is now renewed for us;
That freed from the grip of our foes
We might worship without fear
And be both just and holy
For the rest of our days.
And you, child, called “prophet of the Most High,”
Will go ahead to prepare the way,
By teaching this people of salvation
Through forgiveness of their sins.
For the loving compassion of the Holy One
As the Rising Sun will shine upon us
To illumine the darkness and dispel death’s shadow
To guide our feet on the way of peace.
Glory to the ONE and to the WORD
And to the BREATH of Love!
As always before,
so now and evermore. Amen
Whoever listens to my words
and believes in the ONE who sent me,
has eternal life, alleluia, alleluia!
SERVICE OF PRAYER
Litany of Intercession
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection
~ by bringing good new to the poor and healing the hearts that are broken.
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection,
~ by feeding those who are hungry and clothing those who are naked.
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection,
~ by releasing the captives of injustice and all those who are imprisoned in addictions and sin.
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection,
~ by welcoming strangers and immigrants and visiting those who are lonely or in prison.
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection,
~ by bringing your peace to those who are in trouble and your joy to those who are in sorrow.
O Risen Christ, help us to proclaim your resurrection,
~ by living sustainably in harmony with Mother Earth and all your beloved creation.
Prayer of Jesus
Our Father…
Closing Prayer
Good and Gracious God, creator and ruler of the universe,
in every age you have called human beings
to develop and use their gifts, talents and abilities to contribute to the common good.
With St. Joseph as our example and guide,
help us to do the special work you have asked from each of us
so that we can join you and the rest of Earthkind
in the ongoing work of creation
where the power and glory of your love is revealed now and forever.
~ Amen
Blessing
May the God of Life and Light who raised Jesus from the dead
+ bless us and grant us peace.
~Amen.
Let us bless Adonai, Alleluia, Alleluia!.
~Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!