Opening Prayer
God of the Covenant, we are in a life-blood relationship because of Your gracious love of us. Thank you! As You espouse us, empower us to be faithful to You, and life-giving to Your creation. Help us to remember this nuptial day of bonding today, and each day as we celebrate Eucharist. May it be a renewal of Word and Blood through which You share Your life with us. Teach us to be patient with people and situations we deem to be weeds. Help us to acknowledge You as the only and ultimate judge. Your wisdom is beyond our petty vision and judgments. Protect us so that we do not uproot as weed what You may see as precious and life-giving.
Lord God, You gifted Mary with wonderful parents who taught her to be sensitive to the faithful dreams of God and to sacrifice to God’s invitation. As grandparents of Jesus, they handed onto Him the wisdom and wealth of life’s experience. Our parents taught us to believe and trust and love. We reverence them as gifts from You – as people who loved us the best they knew how. Our grandparents handed on to us wisdom and the wealth of heritage. From these people You graced us with, we learned how to see and believe and hear the voice, presence and power of Your love. Give us grateful hearts and warm memories of our parents and grandparents, who reflect Your ancient and faithful love for each and all of us.
View Scripture on USCCB Website