FEAR BUSTERS
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: Often people tell us: “Don’t worry” or “cheer up” or “take care.” Empty words? Perhaps! The Lord today tells us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled” and gives us three “fear busters”. May we follow his simple advice and overcome fear in our lives.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not trusted the Lord and given in to fear, we ask his pardon.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father.
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Jesus Christ, you have given us the consolation of the truth.
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength.
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: Enliven our faith,
that through Christ we may put our trust in you.
Deepen our faith,
that in Christ we may serve you.
Complete our faith,
that one day we may live with you
in that place which Christ prepares for us,
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 Acts 6:1-7
Psalm Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Response Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or: Alleluia.
Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.Gospel John 14:1-12
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Place yourself in the Upper Room with Jesus and his disciples. The Lord says: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear these words?
Sunday Snippets
A little boy was scared to sleep alone. He called out to his dad: “I’m scared. Please stay here with me.”
Dad said: “Son, nothing will happen to you. Mom and I are in the next room.”
“I know, Daddy. But I’m scared.”
“There’s no reason to be scared. God is there with you.”
“I know that, also, Daddy. But I want someone with skin on.”
The little boy’s fear is like the disciples’ fear. Jesus—their master, for whom they left everything—is leaving them. They are afraid to face the world alone; they fear staying in their “room” alone.
Jesus assures them that there is no need to be afraid and gives them three fear busters.
The first fear buster: faith in God and his Son. “You believe in God, believe also in me.”
The second fear buster: God is with us. Jesus tells Philip: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” In and through his Son, God is by our side, is present with skin on, is deeply involved in the events and crises of our world.
Jesus says: “I am going to prepare a place for you.” God has a special place for each one of us in the church and in the world. We need to find that place/mission/role. The third fear buster: finding our place and mission in life.
Does this mean we won’t have problems? No! The first reading describes the problems the fledgling church has in the food distribution system!
The fear busters help the church overcome this problem. Faith in God and the awareness of his presence with them keep the apostles from getting overwhelmed. They find their place and role in the church: the apostles focus on preaching; they appoint deacons to look after the administration.
The little boy’s fear is like our own. Problems assail us, the darkness of our “nights” frighten us. We need someone—with skin on—by our side.
Do I have faith in God? Do I believe that he is with me in his Son and in people? What am I doing to find my place in life?
May we hear the Lord say: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: As the early church grew, problems arose and were addressed. What are the “problem areas” in the Church and in society today? What can I do to help address these issues?
Reading 2: St Peter says that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own…” Do I feel thus? How often and how do I “announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”?
Gospel: What are the anxieties and trials that trouble my heart? Can/ does my faith in God and in Jesus sustain me during these troubled times? If not, what can I do?
The disciples did not want him to leave. Can I relate to this desire to be with the people I love? How do I handle “departures”?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Sisters and brothers, the Lord says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled…” Casting our fears aside, we bring our needs to the Lord and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may more clearly hear the voice of Jesus in our lives so that we can come to the Father through him, we pray to the Lord…
R: For the world: that the Lord soften the hearts of aggressors and that peace may prevail in all nations, we pray to the Lord…
R: For those burdened by worry and anxiety: that they may find hope, freedom, and peace in Jesus, we pray to the Lord…
R: For all who are ill: that God may heal them and restore them to health, we pray to the Lord…
R: For our common home: that the Lord may bestow on us the wisdom to care for the earth and to preserve his natural gifts for ourselves and for future generations, we pray to the Lord…
R: For ourselves: that God may give us the grace to know him as our companion in times of loneliness, our gladness in times of suffering, and our hope in times of uncertainty, we pray to the Lord…
L: God our Father, you love us and give us Jesus to guide us to you. Accompany us during the terrifying moments of our lives and bring us to the secure place your Son has prepared for us. 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,
like your disciples,
our hearts are troubled.
Is there any escape, we ask, from
war, racism, hate crimes, intolerance, climate change?
Be with us now, please.
To know you is to know and love the Father and the Spirit.
And that is everything.
No fear there.
You are our way, our truth, and our life.
Wherever you abide
– in people, in your Church –
is the place that we always want to be
in eternal, self-giving love,
with you, the Father, and your Holy Spirit.
Or:
Sing or listen to a hymn celebrating God’s care. For instance:
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Merciful Father,
may our sharing in your word
give us new purpose,
cast away fear,
and bring us to new life in you .
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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