FEARLESS IN PERSECUTION
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather as a family/ community; create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately - switch off your phones...).
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: Nothing can give us more courage than to know that someone loves us. Faith is the trust and conviction that God loves us… deeply. When we are aware of this love there is no room for fear. We ask the Lord to fill us with faith and to take all fear from us.
We pray for those affected by violence and war, especially in Manipur, and pray for peace in our world.
Penitential Rite
L: For the moments we were afraid of bearing witness to the Lord, we ask the Lord’s forgiveness.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you ask us to proclaim you without fear:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you want us to trust you and the Father:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you challenge us to bear witness to you:
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: God, our Father,
we have experienced your love and presence
in and through your Son Jesus.
Make us bold enough to share with others
what we have received from you as a gift.
May our lives bear witness to the truth
that Jesus walks by our side
and so we have nothing to fear.
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 Jeremiah 20:10-13
Psalm Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35
Response Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Reading 2 Romans 5:12-15
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord;
and you also will testify.Gospel Matthew 10:26-33
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine yourself among the twelve. Jesus has commissioned you to be his witness. He reassures you repeatedly: “Do not be afraid.” Tell him all your fears… and allow him to reassure you.
Sunday Snippets
On 22 May this year, a Catholic priest, Reverend Javier García, was killed in Michoacan, Mexico, the ninth slain in the country in the past four years. According to Agenzia Fides, 18 missionaries were killed worldwide last year: 12 priests, four religious, one seminarian, and one lay person. Today, as always, those who proclaim the Gospel and its values, those who stand for justice and truth, are ill-treated and persecuted. Some give up; most fight on. What sustains them? Today’s liturgy gives us an indication!
The first reading describes Jeremiah’s difficult mission: to denounce the abomination of the people and to warn them of God’s wrath. His friends discredited and denounced him; the army council threw him into prison and threatened him with death.
Human that he was, Jeremiah was afraid; but he did not allow fear to write his script. He refused to be intimidated. What sustained Jeremiah was the profound belief that God cared for him and was on his side: “The Lord is with me as a dread warrior.”
The gospel is a continuation of Jesus’ commissioning of the apostles. In the verses preceding today’s text, he warned them about imminent persecution. Now he tells them to preach without fear. He keeps repeating “do not be afraid.” How can the apostles not be afraid in the face of persecution?
The antidote to fear is God’s care. Jesus illustrates the Father’s deep care through the example of the sale of sparrows. Sparrows were sold two for a penny; five for two pennies (with one free). Jesus says: “Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge.” God cares even for that one “worthless” sparrow! How much more does he care for us! This knowledge of God’s love and protection overcomes all fear.
Jeremiah and the apostles could face their persecutors with courage because they were deeply aware of God’s love for them.
We are called to be prophets – people who fearlessly denounce the wrong and stand up for the right – at home, in our workplaces, in society… everywhere.
Am I willing to acknowledge Jesus despite intimidation? What are the fears which keep me from witnessing to Jesus and his values? Do I believe that God cares for me?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: Suffering can lead to resentment, bitterness, and anger. Who do you think enabled Jeremiah to not only endure his suffering but also get beyond it and all the negative emotions that came with it?
Reading 2: How do I experience God’s grace in my life?
Gospel: Jesus says, “fear no one”, and twice says “do not be afraid.” What/ whom do I fear? How can I overcome/ work through my fears?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Let us pray with complete trust in our Father, that, free from all paralyzing fears, we may have the courage born of faith and his love to build up his kingdom: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may live in the confident assurance of God’s abiding concern and providential care for us, we pray…
R: For our leaders: that God may give them insight into the effects of their decisions and help them to make choices that will bring about peace and the good of society, we pray…
R: For all who have experienced or who live under the threat of violence from neighbourhood turmoil, organized crime, terrorism, or armed conflict, especially in Manipur, Sudan, and Ukraine: that they may know God’s presence and love, we pray…
R: For all who are afraid: that God may free their hearts from fear, help them to experience his unconditional love for them, and give them a deep confidence that he will wipe away every tear and bring them to the fullness of life, we pray…
R: For adequate rain: that the Lord may send rain to renew the ground and to replenish our dams, and to bring the possibility of reward for farmers who toil hard, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may confidently bear witness to our values and principles even in times of opposition and resistance, and that God may free our hearts from fear, we pray…
L: Lord, our God, with you on our side there is no reason for fear. Wake us up, make us walk, and give us the strength to go all the way to you. 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
Pray with Charles de Foucauld
God, I entrust myself to you.
Do with me what you want.
Whatever you wish to do with me,
I thank you.
I am ready for everything,
I accept everything.
Provided your will be done in me
and in all your creatures,
I desire nothing else, my God.
I place my soul into your hands,
I give it to you, my God,
with all the love of my heart,
because I love you,
because it is to me a demand of love
to give myself,
to commit myself to you without reserve,
with an unlimited trust,
for you are my Father.
Or watch Sparrows
and sing with Jason Gray this song that reassures us (in our worries) that God is with us and that he holds our tomorrow.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Our God and Father
help us to give up our worries,
our distrust of one another,
and our hesitation to stand up for you.
Give us the courage to face life
with all its difficulties and challenges.
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:
