FIRST READING
A reading from the Book of Jeremiah 31:7-9
“With consolations I will lead them back, among them the blind and the lame.”
Thus says the Lord: “Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, ‘The Lord has saved his people, the remnant of Israel.’ Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her who is in travail, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my first-born.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 126:1-2ab.2cd-3.4-5.6 (R. 3)
R/. What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
When the Lord brought back the exiles of Sion,
we thought we were dreaming.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter;
on our tongues, songs of joy. R/.
Then the nations themselves said, “What great deeds
the Lord worked for them!”
What great deeds the Lord worked for us!
Indeed, we were glad. R/.
R/. What great deeds the Lord worked for us! Indeed, we were glad.
Bring back our exiles, O Lord,
as streams in the south.
Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap. R/.
They go out, they go out, full of tears,
bearing seed for the sowing;
they come back, they come back with a song,
bearing their sheaves. R/
SECOND READING
A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 5 : 1-6
“You are a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honour upon himself, but he is ‘called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
2 Timothy 1:10
Alleluia. Our Saviour Christ Jesus abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 10:46-52)
“Master let me receive my sight.”
At that time: As Jesus was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” And Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; rise, he is calling you.” And throwing off his cloak he sprang up and came to Jesus. And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Master, let me receive my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Master, let me see again!
PRIEST: My brothers and sisters, through the light of faith, we are given a new vision of life. We make our prayers to the Lord that this vision my be given to all his people.
READER:
FOR THOSE WITH PROPHETIC VISION IN THE CHURCH, (pause) may they communicate their prophetic message in sympathy and love to the rest of the community, so that distrust and discord are avoided, and the faith of everyone increased. (pause) Lord, grant in your mercy; that we might see we pray Oh Lord.
FOR PEACE AND HARMONY AMONG GOVERNMENTS, (pause) may they see beyond their differences to those elements which unite them within the common bond of the human family. (pause) Lord, grant in your mercy; that we might see we pray Oh Lord.
FOR THOSE WHO ARE THREATENED WITH BLINDNESS, (pause) may they look to the Lord Jesus, who is the Light of Life, to be with them in their darkness and comfort them in their fears for the future, as they commit their lives into the hands of a loving Father. (pause) Lord, grant in your mercy; that we might see we pray Oh Lord.
FOR A DEEPER FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY, (pause) may we call on the Lord to help us, when we find things in the Church difficult to understand and accept. (pause) Lord, grant in your mercy; that we might see we pray Oh Lord.
We pray in silence for our intentions to God, our heavenly Father.
PRIEST: Father, with the eyes of faith and confident in your mercy, we make our prayers to you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.