Optional Gracetide Proper 18

Optional Gracetide 18 "Love of God"

Prayer:
Gracious Father, in your great love for your creatures, you call us with passion to love you above all things. Through your Spirit cultivate in our minds and hearts a love that demands all of our strength and a yearning that issues from the depths of our souls. We ask this in the name of your Son, Christ Jesus our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Corpus of Lectionary Citations:

Torah or History:
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Deuteronomy 10: 12-22
Deuteronomy 13: 1-6

Psalm 116 or 117

Wisdom:
Proverbs 3: 1-8
Song of Songs 8: 5-7

Prophets:
Isaiah 41: 8-16
Isaiah 43: 1-7
Jeremiah 31: 31-34

Deuterocanonical:
Sirach (Ecclesiasticus) 2

Apostolic Epistle:
Romans 8: 28-30 [-38]
1 Corinthians 2: 6-10
1 John 4: 7-21

Apostolic Account:
Revelation 2: 1-7
Revelation 12: 10-12

Gospel:
Matthew 22: 34-40
Mark 12: 28-34
Luke 10: 25-28
John 14: 21-24

Proposed Readings for the Divine Liturgy:

Year A (2008):
Deuteronomy 6: 4-9
Psalm 116 or 117
1 Corinthians 2: 6-10
Matthew 22: 34-40

Year B (2006):
Deuteronomy 10: 12-22
Psalm 116 or 117
1 John 4: 7-21
Mark 12: 28-34

Year C (2007):
Deuteronomy 13: 1-6
Psalm 116 or 117
Romans 8: 28-30 [-38]
Luke 10: 25-28

Post-Communion Prayer:
Gracious Father, we are grateful for the nourishment that you share through both word and sacrament. Through your Spirit strengthen us to be your faithful witnesses, eager to proclaim to a hungry world the good news of salvation in Christ, who is Lord forever and ever. Amen.