Opening Prayer
Leader:
O Lord, you are the creator of all, and so no one is a stranger to you. Look with compassion on those who are refugees, exiles, immigrants – those who find themselves in a new land and among a different people. Grant your compassion also to those young people brought to this country as children. Grant them a home and a place, and give us a kind heart in welcoming them. 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.
All: Amen.
First Reading
Reader: A Reading from the Book of Leviticus [19: 33-34]
When an alien resides with you in your land, do not mistreat such a one. You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the LORD, am your God.
The Word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.
Reader: Una lectura del libro de Levítico
Cuando un extranjero resida contigo en tu tierra, no lo molestarás. El será para ustedes como uno de sus compatriotas y lo amarás como a ti mismo, porque ustedes fueron extranjeros en Egipto. Yo soy el Señor, su Dios.
La Palabra del Senor.
All: Gracias a Dios.
Moment of Silence
Psalm
All: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they will be satisfied.
Side 1: Praise the LORD, my soul;
I will praise the LORD all my life,
sing praise to my God while I live.
Side 2: Put no trust in princes,
in children of Adam powerless to save.
Who breathing his last, returns to the earth;
that day all his planning comes to nothing.
Side 1: Blessed the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD, his God,
The maker of heaven and earth,
the seas and all that is in them,
Side 2: Who keeps faith forever,
secures justice for the oppressed,
who gives bread to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free;
Side 1: the LORD gives sight to the blind.
The LORD raises up those who are bowed down;
the LORD loves the righteous.
Side 2: The LORD protects the resident alien,
comes to the aid of the orphan and the widow,
but thwarts the way of the wicked.
The LORD shall reign forever,
your God, Zion, through all generations!
All: Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for holiness; they will be satisfied.
Gospel Reading
Reader: A Reading from the Gospel According to Matthew (Mt. 25:34-40)
Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?’ And the king will say to them in reply, ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
All: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Reader: Una lectura del Evangelio según Mateo
Entonces el Rey dirá a los que tenga a su derecha: "Vengan, benditos de mi Padre, y reciban en herencia el Reino que les fue preparado desde el comienzo del mundo, porque tuve hambre, y ustedes me dieron de comer; tuve sed, y me dieron de beber; estaba de paso, y me alojaron; desnudo, y me vistieron; enfermo, y me visitaron; preso, y me vinieron a ver". Los justos le responderán: "Señor, ¿cuándo te vimos hambriento, y te dimos de comer; sediento, y te dimos de beber? ¿Cuándo te vimos de paso, y te alojamos; desnudo, y te vestimos? ¿Cuándo te vimos enfermo o preso, y fuimos a verte?" Y el Rey les responderá: "Les aseguro que cada vez que lo hicieron con el más pequeño de mis hermanos, lo hicieron conmigo".
El Evangelio del Señor
All: Gracias a Dios
Reflection
Prayers of Petition
Leader: At this time, bring to mind the names of dreamers, migrants, refugees and exiles that you wish to pray for.
Moment of Silence
Reader: Hear us, O God. Hear our families of mixed status. Hear those who wait in fear of separation, burdened with anxiety.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear all who are called "foreigner." Hear us when we experience cold stares or mistrust because of the color of our skin or the language we speak.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear our brothers and sisters who sweat in the fields. Hear those who work long, backbreaking hours growing food, serving us at restaurants, and cleaning our homes.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear those young people who were brought to this country as children. Hear their dreams for a future of hope.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear vulnerable women and children. Hear those who have fled domestic violence, rape, or gangs to seek safety in this country.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear those who work in the shadows and are exposed to exploitation and harassment. Hear those for whom just pay for a just day's work is always uncertain.
All: Hear us, O God.
Reader: Hear your people as we seek laws and policies to protect the vulnerable and welcome the stranger.
All: Hear us, O God.
Leader: Gathering our prayers, let us offer the prayer Christ himself taught us:
Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Leader: O Lord, through your grace, may we imitate your love and show true compassion by welcoming the immigrant and the refugee. Inspired by the teaching of your Son, may we greet each stranger as neighbor, and may we live in the peace that comes from your love. Through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen