Opening Prayer: Matthew 23: 1-12

Let us pray that our life
may not turn our faith into a lie.

(pause)

Lord God, our Father,
you keep speaking your Word to us
through your Son Jesus Christ.
Make us listen to that word and welcome it
with all that is in us.
Let that word change our mentality and our ways,
that it may direct our life
to make it a lived message of Good News
for all to see, to be inspired by, and to follow.
Let it be the living power that leads all
to give you praise and glory,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.