RELIGION: BEYOND RULES-RITUALS-RHETORIC
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:
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: We often think of religion as a list of rules to follow and a series of rituals to perform. Today’s readings paint a different picture of religion. Religion is not about rules and rituals. Religion is about living upright lives; it is about living in love.
We pray that we may live this kind of religion.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times religion was only about rules and rituals, we ask the Lord to forgive us.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you are the true light that enlightens all people:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you call us to be the salt of the earth:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you urge us to let our light shine before others:
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: Heavenly Father,
you have called your Church
to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine,
so that all may see our works
and give you the glory.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
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 58:7-10
Psalm Psalm 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
Response The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.
Reading 2 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.
Gospel Matthew 5:13-16
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are among the disciples when Jesus tells them that they are “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear these phrases?
Sunday Snippets
A little girl was visiting her grandparents, who held that Sunday should be a day of quiet and that the Bible was the only book to be read. The girl could neither play nor prance about. One Sunday, she asked for and was given permission to walk to the gate. There she saw the old mule standing with his head bowed and his eyes closed. She patted him, and said: “Poor old fellow, have you got religion, too?”
Isn’t that how many view religion: a set of do’s and don’ts, practices and prayers? And many are completely turned off by the rules and rituals and rhetoric that we think comprise religion.
This Sunday’s readings paint a very different picture of religion!
The context of the first reading is a critique of ritualistic fasting. Isaiah insists that true religion consists in being just and in removing need and oppression. The consequence of such religion: “Then shall your light break forth like the dawn... then shall your light rise in the darkness.”
In the second reading, Paul critiques preaching which is nothing more than empty rhetoric.
For Jesus, discipleship is being “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. Salt and light function in three ways: by associating with the things they want to change; by being different from them; and by making a difference.
Also, women in Israel placed salt at the base of ovens and then a salt-dung mixture on it; the salt acted as a catalyst and caused the dung to burn. To be the salt of the earth is to be a catalyst to start fires. When Jesus’ disciples do this, they will also be “light of the earth”. In much of the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will spell out how to be salt and light, he will articulate this very different and radical way of looking at religion… which is living in love.
Will I live true religion—sharing with the needy, being just, removing oppression? Or will I be satisfied with rules, rituals, rhetoric which lead to bowed heads, closed eyes, heavy hearts? How will I be the salt of the earth, a catalyst to light fires in people’s lives?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: “Then light shall rise for you in the darkness, and the gloom shall become for you like midday.” What do I need to do for light to rise in the darkness?
Reading 2: Paul writes: “I came to you in weakness and fear and much trembling… so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.” On what does my faith rest?
Gospel: Jesus called his disciples “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world”. How can I be salt and light?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Sisters and brothers, let us pray to the Father of light that we may truly become the salt of the earth and the light of the world: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may be salt and light to our world and that our words and deeds may be instruments of healing and transformation for our society, we pray to the Lord…
R: For world leaders: that they continue to search for ways to heal ancient wounds and find ways of promoting peace and justice for all, we pray to the Lord…
R: For those who live in the darkness and despair of poverty, violence, trafficking, slavery, and abuse: that the light of God’s love may bring them hope, we pray to the Lord…
R: For all who are ill: that the Spirit may ease their suffering, bring encouragement through the care of the Christian community, and restore them to wholeness, we pray to the Lord…
R: For greater care for our common home: that we may grow in our respect for the earth as God’s gift to us and work to preserve it for future generations, we pray to the Lord…
R: For ourselves: that we may not be distracted by the false lights of a superficial life but recognise that we can find true light through following Jesus’ example and words, we pray to the Lord…
L: Lord God, we pray that your light may shine on all the earth. Limited though we are, let our words and actions reflect the light of your love. 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,
show us how to be the salt of the earth
and the light of the world.
Help us to share our bread with the hungry,
to shelter the homeless and clothe the naked,
to remove oppression and malicious speech
to help the immigrant and free captives.
Help us take your light wherever there is darkness.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Lord our God,
you have given us
the salt and light of your Word.
May it make us
a city of light on a hill-top
to bear witness to your integrity,
love and justice in this world.
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:
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