MARCH 21-27, 2022

1 FREE DIGITAL. SAMPLE FOR. MARCH 21-27, 2022. FREE DIGITAL WEEK OF DAILY UNIVERSAL PRAYER. FROM FAITH CATHOLIC. The following readings may be used on any Lenten day this week, especially in Years B and C when the Gospel of the Samaritan Woman is not read on the Third Sunday of Lent: Ex 17:1-7/Jn 4:5-42 (236). Monday, MARCH 21, 2022 MONDAY OF. (Lec. 237) THIRD WEEK. 1) 2 Kings 5:1-15ab OF LENT. 2) Luke 4:24-30. FOCUS: Jesus came for the salvation of all. In ancient times, God sent prophets primarily to the covenant people of Israel, but at times the prophets' missions included the Gentiles those not of the covenant. When prophets, kings, and judges still did not bring reconciliation of all creation with God, he sent his Son. Jesus came for the salvation of all, and he charged his disciples to spread the Good News to the ends of the earth. That is our mission, as well for the sake of the whole world. LITURGY OF THE WORD. Naaman, an Aramean army commander, goes to be healed of his leprosy by the prophet Elisha, who instructs him to wash seven times in the Jordan.

2 In the Gospel, Jesus teaches in a synagogue in Nazareth and declares that no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Upon hearing this and more from Jesus, the people in the synagogue drive him out of town. UNIVERSAL PRAYER. PRIEST: United as the body of Christ, we offer our petitions to God our Father. 1) That the Church may continue to be purified and sanctified through the grace and mercy of God, let us pray to the Lord. 2) That all the ends of the earth may know the saving power of God, let us pray to the Lord. 3) That those who experience rejection or failure may find hope and strength in the Gospel message, let us pray to the Lord. 4) That the grace of God's word and the sacraments may transform all of us in the image of Christ's love and mercy, let us pray to the Lord. 5) That all the faithful departed may rest in eternal peace in God's heavenly kingdom, let us pray to the Lord. 6) (Special petition/s). PRIEST: Merciful Father, you sent your Son to save us. Look with favor on the petitions we now offer in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

3 Subscribe to Daily Universal Prayer and Commentary at FREE DIGITAL WEEK OF DAILY UNIVERSAL PRAYER. FROM FAITH CATHOLIC. Tuesday, MARCH 22, 2022 TUESDAY OF. (Lec. 238) THIRD WEEK. 1) Daniel 3:25, 34-43 OF LENT. 2) Matthew 18:21-35. FOCUS: We are called to forgive others without limit. The Lord asks that we forgive others as often as is necessary. Such generous forgiveness can feel like an unfair demand unless we consider the boundless and undeserved forgiveness the Lord has granted us. When we look upon forgiveness through this lens, we see how forgiving others is what our faith and love of God should inspire in us. LITURGY OF THE WORD. In the first reading, Azariah prays that the Lord will not make void his covenant but rather deliver him and his companions by his wonders and bring glory to [his] name. In the Gospel, Jesus answers Peter's question about how often he must forgive another by saying, I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. He then tells a parable of a servant who was forgiven an enormous debt but in turn refused to forgive a much smaller debt he was owed, for which he was severely punished.

4 UNIVERSAL PRAYER. PRIEST: Confident in the Lord's mercy, let us bring before him our prayers and petitions for the Church and the world. 1) For the Church, may the Lord lead us to a deeper conversion and repentance of our sins during this Lenten season, let us pray to the Lord. 2) For nations and people in conflict, may the Spirit of peace inspire forgiveness and reconciliation, let us pray to the Lord. 3) For victims of violence, may the Holy Spirit bring them comfort and healing and restore their hope, let us pray to the Lord. 4) For this faith community, may the virtue of charity prevail in our hearts and in our family lives, let us pray to the Lord. 5) For all who have died in Christ, may our Savior welcome them into the joy of his presence, let us pray to the Lord. 6) (Special petition/s). PRIEST: Merciful God, hear these prayers we have brought before you and answer them in accordance with your divine will. In Christ's name we pray. Subscribe to Daily Universal Prayer and Commentary at FREE DIGITAL WEEK OF DAILY UNIVERSAL PRAYER.

5 FROM FAITH CATHOLIC. Wednesday, MARCH 23, 2022 WEDNESDAY OF. (Lec. 239) THIRD WEEK. 1) Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 OF LENT. 2) Matthew 5:17-19 (Opt. Mem. Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo, Bishop). FOCUS: Jesus came not to abolish the laws of the Old Testament but to fulfill them. As we reach the midpoint of Lent, we take time to look to Jesus as the fulfillment of the law of the Old Covenant. Through him, all righteousness under the law is achieved, and perfection attained. As his disciples, we are to keep the commandments and avoid breaking them and causing others to break them. Our hearts seek to be filled with the love he offers to us, and to share it with others. LITURGY OF THE WORD. In the first reading, Moses tells the people to hear the statutes and decrees they are to observe and teach the generations to come. In the Gospel, Jesus assures his disciples that he comes not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. He tells them to obey and teach these commandments to live in the kingdom of God.

6 UNIVERSAL PRAYER. PRIEST: God showed us his love by sending us his Son. Let us trust in God's love as we present the needs of our suffering world. 1) For Pope Francis and all the clergy, may God continue to bless them with the spiritual and physical strength they need to care for his people, let us pray to the Lord. 2) For the salvation of the world, may the Good News of Christ reach every corner of the earth and open hearts to its message, let us pray to the Lord. 3) For all those who are sad or alone, lost, or afraid, may God grace them with his comforting love and inspire others to reach out to them, let us pray to the Lord. 4) For those in this faith community who dedicate themselves to serving others, may God strengthen their commitment and fill them with his compassion, let us pray to the Lord. 5) For those who have died, may God welcome them to their eternal home with him in heaven, let us pray to the Lord. 6) (Special petition/s). PRIEST: Almighty Father, in your wisdom, grant our prayers according to your holy will.

7 We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Shepherd and King. Subscribe to Daily Universal Prayer and Commentary at FREE DIGITAL WEEK OF DAILY UNIVERSAL PRAYER. FROM FAITH CATHOLIC. Thursday, MARCH 24, 2022 THURSDAY OF. (Lec. 240) THIRD WEEK. 1) Jeremiah 7:23-28 OF LENT. 2) Luke 11:14-23. FOCUS: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. It's one thing to fight authority when that authority does not seem to have our best interest in mind. But why do we rise up against the prophets of God, and against our Savior? To do so is the epitome of the clich , biting the hand that feeds you. Sin is a powerful force, that's why. And so we need all the help we can get in fighting temptation and resisting evil. Let the psalmist's prayer be ours as well: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. LITURGY OF THE WORD. Through Jeremiah, God recounts the disobedience of his people, who refuse to listen to his voice. In the Gospel, Jesus is accused of driving out demons through the power of Beelzebul.

8 He says whoever is not with him is against him. UNIVERSAL PRAYER. PRIEST: Let us present to the Father our intentions, for ourselves and for the world. 1) That the Church may continue to be graced with shepherds after Christ's own heart, who lead with loving care, let us pray to the Lord. 2) That the world may be united by Jesus, the one bread come down from heaven to save us all, let us pray to the Lord. 3) That those who experience rejection or failure may find hope and strength in the Gospel message, let us pray to the Lord. 4) That our community of faith may be guided by the Holy Spirit as we work to build up the kingdom of God on earth, let us pray to the Lord. 5) That those who have died may be welcomed into the peace and happiness of everlasting life in heaven, let us pray to the Lord. 6) (Special petition/s). PRIEST: Lord God, hear the prayers of your people who strive to hear your word and fulfill your command. We pray through your Son, Jesus Christ. Subscribe to Daily Universal Prayer and Commentary at FREE DIGITAL WEEK OF DAILY UNIVERSAL PRAYER.

9 FROM FAITH CATHOLIC. FRIDAY, MARCH 25, 2022 THE ANNUNCIATION. (Lec. 545) OF THE LORD. 1) Isaiah 7:10-14, 8:10 - SOLEMNITY. 2) Hebrews 10:4-10. 3) Luke 1:26-38. FOCUS: Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. God's plan of salvation flows through a faithful young woman, from the small village of Nazareth. Mary's response to the angel who brings the news that she will conceive and bear a son is one of receptivity and great faith. Mary's yes is the yes that allows Jesus to be born into the world. God desires that we say yes to him as well that he might come into the world through us, his unworthy servants. LITURGY OF THE WORD. Isaiah prophesies that the Lord will provide a sign the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel. The author of Hebrews writes that the blood of animals cannot save, but, by the will of God and Christ's accomplishment of it, we have been consecrated. In the Gospel, the angel Gabriel appears to Mary and tells her she will conceive and bear a son.

10 Mary questions the angel, but says, May it be done to me according to your word. UNIVERSAL PRAYER. PRIEST: Following the example of Mary's faith in God, let us entrust our petitions to him. 1) For the Church, may the Holy Spirit protect and guide us in our mission to proclaim the truth of salvation to all the world, let us pray to the Lord. 2) For government leaders, may the Lord open their hearts to work tirelessly in protecting the dignity and sanctity of human life from conception through natural death, let us pray to the Lord. 3) For the sick, may the healing consolation of Christ be upon them and make them whole, let us pray to the Lord. 4) For this faith community, may God help us to trust always in his saving power, let us pray to the Lord. 5) For those who have died, may they experience the mercy of God and enjoy fullness of life with him in heaven, let us pray to the Lord. 6) (Special petition/s). PRIEST: Heavenly Father, hear our prayers that we bring to you today.