As We Share the Cup of Blessing--April 1, 2021

[From April 5, 2007 archive]

 

We pray your protection

for those who sow in tears,

who see only toil and sorrow

and spend their days in shame.

 

Holy Father, protect in your name

all the ones who, to follow Christ, 

suffer to do your will in the world.  

May they reap with shouts of joy.

 

As we break the bread, Christ’s body,

remind us of those who sow in tears;

as we share the cup of blessing,

join us in the blood of Christ.

 

Lectionary Readings

Ps. 27; 147:12-20; 126; 102

Jer. 20:7-18

1 Cor. 10:14-17; 11:27-32

John 17:1-26

 

Selected Verses 

Ps. 126:5

May those who sow in tears

            reap with shouts of joy.

 

Jer. 20:18

Why did I come forth from the womb

            to see toil and sorrow,

            and spend my days in shame?

 

1 Cor. 10:16

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ?  The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

 

John 17:11

And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you.  Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one.