St. Polycarp, Bishop and Martyr (D. 155)
He was a disciple of the Apostles. He bears witness to the beliefs of the early Christians and the early stages of the development of doctrine. He was martyred in about 155.
Violet
Entrance Antiphon : Cf. Ps 89: 1-2
O Lord, you have been our refuge, from generation to generation; from age to age, you are.
Collect
Look upon your family, Lord, that, through the chastening effects of bodily discipline, our minds may be radiant in your presence with the strength of our yearning for you. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
First reading : Isaiah 55:10-11
Thus says the Lord: ‘As the rain and the snow come down from the heavens and do not return without watering the earth, making it yield and giving growth to provide seed for the sower and bread for the eating, so the word that goes from my mouth does not return to me empty, without carrying out my will and succeeding in what it was sent to do.’
Psalm 33 (34):4-7, 16-19
R/ The Lord rescues the just in all their distress.
1. Glorify the Lord with me. Together let us praise his name. I sought the Lord and he answered me; from all my terrors he set me free.
2. Look towards him and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed. This poor man called, the Lord heard him and rescued him from all his distress.
3. The Lord turns his face against the wicked to destroy their remembrance from the earth. The Lord turns his eyes to the just and his ears to their appeal.
4. They call and the Lord hears and rescues them in all their distress. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted; those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
Gospel Acclamation : Mt 4:4
Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!
Gospel : Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus said to his disciples: ‘In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us. And do not put us to the test, but save us from the evil one. Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.’
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive, O Creator, almighty God, what we bring from your bountiful goodness, and be pleased to transform this temporal sustenance you have given us, that it may bring us eternal life. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon : Cf. Ps 4: 2
When I called, the God of justice gave me answer; from anguish you released me; have mercy, O Lord, and hear my prayer!
Prayer after Communion
Grant us through these mysteries, Lord, that by moderating earthly desires we may learn to love the things of heaven. Through Christ our Lord.
Prayer over the People
May your faithful be strengthened, O God, by your blessing: in grief, may you be their consolation, in tribulation, their power to endure, and in peril, their protection. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Meditation
The Lord describes prayer as: (1) being simple especially in words, (2) being connected with forgiveness. Simplicity in words, especially when talking to someone, indicates that the one who listens already understands. This already tells us a lot about God. It also means you know what you want. Many Christians believe the multiplication of prayers and words give weight to prayers. What gives weight to prayer is how you relate with others: Our Father – do you see the other as a brother? Give us – is there a desire in you to uphold the common good? Forgive as we forgive – is there forgiveness or anger in your heart?