Prayers for April

(4^th Sunday of Year A; linked to the 6^th Section of the Post-Lourdes Study Topic)

Meditation: Matthew 5: 1-10.

Seeing the crowds, Jesus went up the hill. There he sat down and was joined by his disciples. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them :

“How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy the gentle: they shall have the earth for their heritage.

Happy those who mourn: they shall be comforted.

Happy those who hunger and thirst for what is right:

  they shall be satisfied.

Happy the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.

Happy the pure in heart: they shall seek God.

Happy the peacemakers: they shall be called sons of God.

Happy those who are persecuted in the cause of right:

  theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Responsorial Psalm:  Psalm 145

How happy are the poor in spirit; theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

1.   It is he who keeps faith for ever,

who is just to those who are oppressed.

It is he who gives bread to the hungry,

the lord, who sets prisoners free. (R)

2.      It is the Lord who gives sight to the blind,

who raises up those who are bowed down,

the Lord, who protects the stranger

and upholds the widow and orphan. (R)

3. It is the Lord who loves the just

But thwarts the path of the wicked.

The Lord will reign for ever,

Zion’s God, from age to age. (R)

Concluding Prayer:

Lord, as we count our blessings, help us to be ready to share them with others that they too may be blessed by the touch of your presence. Amen.