O Lord Jesus, you are my God, for you I long; for you my soul is thirsting. My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory. For on Your altar the new and everlasting covenant in Your blood, was poured out for me. And I have hope of eternal life with You.
For your love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
So I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul shall be filled as with a Banquet, my mouth shall praise you with joy. I bow down to the ground in Holy worship of Your endearing presence.
From my waking to my sleeping, I remember you. You are in my thoughts day and night. For you have been my help; in the shadow of your wings I rejoice. I am secured. My soul clings to you;
your right hand holds me fast.
Glory to You O Lord my God. Amen
(My prayer reflection adapted from psalm 62)
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First reading
Genesis 17:3-9
Abraham, the father of a multitude of nations
Abram bowed to the ground and God said this to him, ‘Here now is my covenant with you: you shall become the father of a multitude of nations. You shall no longer be called Abram; your name shall be Abraham, for I make you father of a multitude of nations. I will make you most fruitful. I will make you into nations, and your issue shall be kings. I will establish my Covenant between myself and you, and your descendants after you, generation after generation, a Covenant in perpetuity, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. I will give to you and to your descendants after you the land you are living in, the whole land of Canaan, to own in perpetuity, and I will be your God.
‘You on your part shall maintain my Covenant, yourself and your descendants after you, generation after generation.’
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Gospel
John 8:51-59
Your father Abraham saw my Day and was glad
Jesus said to the Jews:
‘I tell you most solemnly,
whoever keeps my word
will never see death.’
The Jews said, ‘Now we know for certain that you are possessed. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are dead, and yet you say, “Whoever keeps my word will never know the taste of death.” Are you greater than our father Abraham, who is dead? The prophets are dead too. Who are you claiming to be?’ Jesus answered:
‘If I were to seek my own glory
that would be no glory at all;
my glory is conferred by the Father, by the one of whom you say, “He is our God” although you do not know him.
But I know him, and if I were to say: I do not know him, I should be a liar, as you are liars yourselves.
But I do know him, and I faithfully keep his word.
Your father Abraham rejoiced
to think that he would see my Day; he saw it and was glad.’
The Jews then said, ‘You are not fifty yet, and you have seen Abraham!’ Jesus replied:
‘I tell you most solemnly, before Abraham ever was, I Am.’
At this they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.
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