Liturgy–Caring for Others
Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		We gather to celebrate Gods’ love as we reflect on our need for reconciliation with God and with others.
READING
Reader		A reading from the Gospel of Luke. (Read Luke 6:17-31.) The Gospel of the Lord.
All		Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Leader		Let us reflect on Luke’s beatitudes for guidance in an examination of conscience.
Reader 1		Blessed are those who are poor.
Reader 2		Have I done anything recently to help someone in poverty? Have I instead looked down upon such a person?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Blessed are those who are hungry.
Reader 2		Have I done anything to help those who are hungry? Do I waste food? Do I eat because I am hungry for other things?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Blessed are those who weep.
Reader 2		Have I been sensitive to others’ feelings? Have I been the cause of anyone’s sadness?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Blessed are you when people hate you on account of Jesus.
Reader 2		Do I do what is right in difficult situations? Or, do I give in to peer pressure instead of standing on my own?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Woe to you who are rich.
Reader 2		Do I share what I have with others? Do I want more than I need? Have I been wasteful because I have so much?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Woe to all who are laughing now.
Reader 2		Do I enjoy all types of people, or do I make fun of others? Have I talked about people behind their backs?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Love your enemies.
Reader 2		Do I try to be a peaceful person? Have I excluded others by treating them as outsiders and setting up barriers between us?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		If anyone strike you, offer the other side.
Reader 2		When someone is angry with me, do I respond with anger? Am I able to accept criticism from my parents and teachers or do I get angry when I don’t like what I hear?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Reader 1		Do unto others as you would have them do to you.
Reader 2		How do I treat others? Do I stop to think that I should treat others the way I want to be treated? Have I been unwilling to forgive?
All		We ask forgiveness, Lord. (Pause.)
Leader		For a few moments, reflect on wrongs you have done, good things you have failed to do, and those you have hurt or who have hurt you. Ask God’s forgiveness and mercy. Seek God’s help to be reconciled with those you have hurt and those who have hurt you. (Play instrumental music during reflection.)
RITUAL OF FORGIVENESS
Leader		Let each of us now offer a resolution to focus on one beatitude to strengthen in our lives. As we offer these resolutions to God, let us pledge in our hearts to carry out all that we have resolved. (Participants come forward, one at a time, to present resolutions at the prayer table. Play instrumental music. After completion, all respond:)
All		We pledge to be a positive force in your world, O Lord. Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
Leader		Loving God, you look into our hearts and you know the sincerity of our sorrow for sin. See also our willingness to be reconciled and to grow in love. Guide us in becoming people who think of others before ourselves. Help us to remember how Christ suffered for us, even to his death on the cross. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ.
All		Amen.
CLOSING SONG