YES… BUT!
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
We cannot gather as usual for the Eucharist. But we are conscious that Christ is present not only in the Blessed Sacrament but also in the Scriptures and in our hearts. Even when we are on our own, we remain part of the Body of Christ.
Place lighted candles, a crucifix, and the Bible on a covered table. These remind us of the sacredness of our time of prayer and could help us feel connected with our local worshipping communities.
You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:
The Sign of the Cross
Greeting and Introductory Words
L: The Lord invites us to the table of his Word: let us bless him for his goodness.
A: Blessed be God forever.
L: Today’s liturgy is an invitation to follow the Lord. Even as he invites, the Lord makes clear the consequences of following him: no security and comfort; no family to call one’s own; hostility and conflict. Jesus demands an unconditional following from his disciples. We pray in this Eucharist that we may follow Jesus whole-heartedly.
Penitential Rite
L: For our half-hearted and lukewarm responses to his call, we ask the Lord’s pardon.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you always did the will of your Father:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you invite us to follow you without counting the cost:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
Gloria
Opening Prayer
L: Sovereign God, ruler of our hearts,
you call us to obedience
and sustain us in freedom.
Keep us true to the way of your Son,
that we leave behind all that hinders us
and, with eyes fixed on him,
walk surely in the path of the kingdom
where he lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
A: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary.
Preferably use a Bible/ Lectionary for reading.
Reading 1 1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21
Psalm Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11
Response You are my inheritance, O Lord.
Reading 2 Galatians 5:1, 13-18
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Speak, Lord, your servant is listening;
you have the words of everlasting life.
Gospel Luke 9:51-62
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are travelling with Jesus and his disciples to Jerusalem. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear the words of the “would be disciples” and Jesus’ response to them?
Sunday Snippets
In his book Games People Play, Eric Berne talks about the “why don’t you… yes but” game that many people play. Players start by lamenting a problem but find excuses for every solution offered. One example of the game!
White: “My husband always insists on doing our own repairs, and he never builds anything right.”
Black: “Why doesn’t he take a course in carpentry?” White: “Yes, but he doesn’t have time.”
Blue: “Why don’t you buy him some good tools?” White: “Yes, but he doesn’t know how to use them.”
Red: “Why don’t you have your building done by a carpenter?” White: “Yes, but that would cost too much.”
Brown: “Why don’t you just accept what he does the way he does it?” White: “Yes, but the whole thing might fall down.”
Like White, many of us suffer from the “yes, but…” syndrome. We are ready to get down to our books, start that much-postponed project, begin changing our behaviour, take on the world and maybe even climb Mount Everest but…
In the gospel, the anonymous trio of would-be followers are “yes-butters”.
The first is enthusiastic to follow Jesus, who cautions him that he must be ready for a tough life without necessities and be prepared to identify with the poor.
The second asks if he can first stay and bury the dead, a necessary family obligation. Jesus’ admonition seems harsh. However, he is clear that following him requires single-minded commitment. This is the commitment and detachment that Elisha shows (in the first reading) when he slaughters his oxen and uses the equipment that comes with them for fuel.
The third first wanted to go to say goodbye to his family. He resembles Elisha of the first reading! Jesus is emphatic that there is no looking back when it comes to following him. We can neither wallow in past sins nor boast of past successes if we are to be fit for the kingdom of God.
In what areas of my life am I a “yes-butter”? What are the “buts” that prevent me from following Jesus: comforts; familial and societal responsibilities; successes and failures? Am I willing to overcome the “yes, but…” syndrome?
Jesus sets the example himself of single-minded commitment: “He resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem”! Interestingly, in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus reverses the “yes, but…” syndrome. He asks the Father: “Remove this cup from me, but not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42)!
May you and I stop playing the “yes but” game and follow Jesus.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: What was Elisha doing when he was called? Is God calling me to make changes in my life? What could these changes be?
Reading 2: “For you were called for freedom.” What is the source of such freedom? Is “going out of oneself” a freeing experience?
Gospel: The man said, “Lord, let me first go bury my father.” What are the excuses I make for not following the Lord and his commands?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: The Lord makes radical demands on those who want to follow him. We ask for the grace for all his committed disciples that we may be consistent and to follow him even when it demands sacrifices: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may hear God’s call to discipleship and seek first the reign of God in our lives, we pray…
R: For the world: that armed conflicts may end, injustices and jealousies be addressed, and that all nations may use their resources to defeat disease and hunger, we pray…
R: For all who are making life decisions: that they may be aware of God’s invitations planted deep within their hearts and courageously choose paths that lead to life and holiness, we pray…
R: For all who are called to bear prophetic witness: that their witness to the truth may touch hearts and be an opportunity for deeper conversion for all God’s people, we pray…
R: For those who are ill: that the Spirit may bring healing to all burdened with illness, restore them to their activities and responsibilities, and help them to be strengthened through the care and companionship of family and friends, we pray…
R: For greater stewardship of the earth: that we may wisely use natural resources and work to share them with all of creation, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may know freedom of mind and heart so that we can serve those in need around us and not be controlled by the expectations and demands of society, we pray…
L: God our Father, set us free from our fears, from the deadening power of selfishness, from all our pessimism, and open us to the power of life and hope that we may follow your Son without hesitation on his road to you and to people. Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
The Lord’s Prayer
Spiritual Communion
A: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
Post Spiritual Communion Reflection
Lord,
Elisha left his fields
to follow the prophet.
Peter and Andrew, James and John let go of their nets
so they could follow you.
Lord,
when you call us daily,
in our normal lives,
help us leave whatever we are doing
and come follow you.
Loosen our attachments,
though many they may be,
and whatever fastens us to our safe spots.
Allow us to go where you call us today:
fields of war and bias, whatever destroys our climate,
wherever there is hunger and violence.
Let us take your kingdom everywhere in our day.
And let us lay our heads
where you lay yours.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God our Father,
in Jesus your Son you reveal to us
how love is a gift from you
calling us to totally give ourselves.
Open our ears to his call,
commit us with open hearts and hands
to follow him all the way
in faithful and joyful service
to you and to people.
Through Christ our Lord.
A: Amen.
Blessing
L: The Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and lead us to everlasting life.
A: Amen.
L: Go in the peace of Christ.
A: Thanks be to God.
Conclude with a hymn. For instance:
