GO!
INTRODUCTORY RITES
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:
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: A Christian, a follower and disciple of Christ, is called to be his witness in word and deed. Today’s readings remind us of this call and mission.
We ask the Lord to strengthen us to heed his call to “go and proclaim” to all people.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not been his witnesses; for the times we have allowed likes and dislikes, trials and tribulations to overwhelm us, we ask his pardon.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations into the peace of God’s kingdom:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you are the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world:
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: Merciful God,
you sent your Son, the spotless Lamb,
to take upon himself the sin of the world.
Make our lives holy,
that your Church may bear witness to your purpose
of reconciling all things in Christ,
who 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 Isaiah 49:3, 5-6
Psalm Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10
Response Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will.
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 1:1-3
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Word of God became flesh and dwelt among us
To those who accepted him, he gave power to become children of God.
Gospel John 1:29-34
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are present when John the Baptist testifies to Jesus as the “the Lamb of God” and “the Son of God”. What thoughts and feelings does this testimony evoke in you?
Sunday Snippets
Someone asked a missionary whether he liked what he was doing. His response was shocking: “Do I like this work? No! I do not like dirt. I have reasonable refined sensibilities. I do not like crawling into dirty huts.” He listed all the difficulties he endured.
He continued: “But is a person to do nothing for Christ he/she does not like? Liking or disliking has nothing to do with it. I have orders to ‘go’ and I go. Love impels me.”
Today’s liturgy emphasises that love impels every missionary… beyond their dislikes and feelings.
In the first reading (the second servant song from Isaiah), God says that he forms his servant to bring back Jacob and Israel to himself. And that mission “is too light a thing” and so the servant has “to be a light to the nations.”
In the second reading, Paul affirms that he is “called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.” Reading through the Acts of the Apostles and Paul’s Letters, it is clear that Paul feels impelled to be an apostle. He has orders to “go” and he does… despite the hardships and tribulation he faces.
In the gospel, John the Baptist spells out his mission: to reveal Jesus to Israel and to testify that he is the son of God. The fact that he did not know Jesus is irrelevant; he “had” to witness to him.
The mission of the servant, of Paul, of John the Baptist – and it is one mission – is our mission too. You and I are called to be a light to the nations; to be apostles; to lead others to Jesus.
Do I allow love to impel me to be an apostle and a missionary? Or do my likes and dislikes, fears and prevent me from witnessing to God’s love? How will I be a light to “the nations”? How will I reveal Jesus to people around me?
May you and I “go”. May his love impel you and me!
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: This reading contains a reference to “the servant” whom God calls to be “a light to the nations”. How can I be a light for the world? How can I be a crack of light in someone’s darkness?
Reading 2: We are “called to be holy.” What does “holy” mean to me? How can I be “holy”?
Gospel: John says twice that he did not know Jesus. How/why was he so certain about Jesus when he said: “Behold the Lamb of God”? Was John watching for the Spirit? Do I watch for the Spirit in my life? How can I find and trust this Spirit of God?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Sisters and brothers, God calls us to be his witnesses and to bring his message of salvation to all people. We ask for the grace and the strength to respond to this mission, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we, who are called to be holy, allow the grace of God to work in us and form us into his people, we pray to the Lord…
R: For leaders of nations: that that they use their gifts in the service of God so that God’s work may be accomplished, we pray to the Lord…
R: For all who are ill or have suffered from natural disasters: that they may know God’s comforting presence and be strengthened by his Spirit, we pray to the Lord…
R: For parents and catechists: that like John the Baptist, they introduce and lead young people in their care to a deeper relationship with Jesus, we pray to the Lord…
R: For a spirit of stewardship: that we may protect and care for all God’s creation, we pray to the Lord…
R: For ourselves: that we be a light to the nations and instruments of God’s saving message to all, we pray to the Lord…
L: God our Father, John the Baptist pointed out your Son as the Saviour of the world. Give us the courage to bear witness to Jesus, your chosen One, who is Lord forever and ever.
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,
you called your servant to be a light to the nations;
you called Paul to be an apostle;
you called John to point out the Lamb of God.
You call us,
each in our way, in our place, in our time,
to witness to your saving love in Jesus.
Strengthen us with your Spirit
and make us holy
that we may tell all the ends of the earth
of your saving love and about the Lamb of God.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God our Father,
John the Baptist pointed out your Son
as the Saviour of the world.
Give us the courage to bear witness
that he takes away the sin of the world
and that he is your chosen One.
He is Lord for ever and ever.
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:
No comments:
Post a Comment