Relatively few of us are able to attend Mass on a daily basis, as work or family obligations prevent us from traveling to our local parish each day.
It's not a requirement, but one thing we miss out on, besides receiving the Holy Eucharist, is the treasury of prayers that the Church offers to us.
The Roman Missal contains unique opening prayers that the priest prays every day at Mass. These prayers are short, but also deep in theological insight.
Gates of Mercy
One example is the following prayer recited on the Saturday of the Second Week of Easter:
O God, who willed that through the paschal mysteries
the gates of mercy should stand open for your faithful,
look upon us and have mercy,
that as we follow, by your gift, the way you desire for us,
so may we never stray from the paths of life.
It is a beautiful image, reminding us of the outpouring of mercy we have received through Jesus' passion, death and resurrection.
Healing mysteries
Another example is from Monday of the Third Week of Easter:
Grant, we pray, almighty God,
that, putting off our old self with all its ways,
we may live as Christ did,
for through the healing paschal remedies
you have conformed us to his nature.
This theme comes again on the Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter:
O God, who in the celebration of Easter graciously give to the world
the healing of heavenly remedies, show benevolence to your Church,
that our present observance
may benefit us for eternal life.
These prayers is a reminder that we need to strive to put away our old sinful habits and put on the new self, bathed in the healing graces of Jesus Christ.
Spiritual battle
During this season of Easter, the theme of spiritual battle is often pointed out, such as this prayer from the Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter:
May your right hand, O lord, we pray,
encompass your family with perpetual help,
so that, defended from all wickedness
by the Resurrection of your only Begotten son,
we may make our way by means of your heavenly gifts.
There are many more prayers to meditate on during the Easter season, all of which can be found in a Daily Roman Missal, or online at various websites that feature the prayers of the Mass.
