A Prayer Before Mass

Thank you oh God,

source of all goodness and life,

for this time to turn our attention to You,

for this time of celebration,

for this time to discern Your holy will.

You sent your only Son to show us The Way.

Jesus, you told your followers that

when two or three are gathered in your name,

you are present in their midst.

Help me to be mindful that

You are present in this assembly today.

Dear Lord, You sent your Word into the world.

Help me to listen attentively to your Word.

May your Word enter my thoughts, my words and my heart.

Like our Blessed Mother,

help us to give birth to your Word in the World.

Help us to nurture and stand by the Way, the Truth and the Life even by the foot of the cross.

Help us to see your Word

made flesh in the Eucharist.

When I look upon the Blessed Sacrament

help me to see what I am

and help me become what I receive.

May we, the church, truly be the Body of Christ in the world.

May we become your feet and lead others on The Way.

May we become your hands and serve those in need,

especially the poor, sick, hungry and forsaken.

Jesus, you breathed a new life of peace

into timid and frightened disciples locked in an upper room.

We ask you to send forth your Holy Spirit

to free us from our fear

so we can renew the face of the earth.

As we are sent forth,

back into a violent, troubled and wounded world

which is filled with too much doubt, despair and hate,

make us instruments of your peace that we may

bring forth your good news of

faith, hope and love.

-a parishioner of St. Benedicts, 2009