CALLED TO SHARE GOD’S COMPASSION
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: The liturgy tells us that the Lord calls ordinary people, weak and fallible, to be his apostles and empowers them for his mission.
The Lord calls you and me to be his witnesses, to be bearers of his compassion. We pray that we may be strengthened for this task. We pray for teachers and students who have begun a new academic year.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have failed in this mission of sharing God’s compassion, we ask him to pardon us for he is full of gentleness and compassion.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you had compassion on the helpless crowds:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you called the apostles and empowered them:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you sent the apostles to announce the coming of God’s Kingdom:
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: Compassionate God,
your word calls labourers to the harvest.
Send us who are blest with the gift of your kingdom
to announce its coming with gladness
and to manifest its healing power.
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 Exodus 19:2-6a
Psalm Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5
Response We are his people: the sheep of his flock.
Reading 2 Romans 5:6-11
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent and believe in the Gospel.Gospel Matthew 9:36—10:8
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine yourself among Jesus’ disciples when he chose his twelve apostles and “gave them authority over unclean spirits… and to cure every disease and every illness.” What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear Jesus’ choice of the twelve?
Sunday Snippets
Every evening at the Oratory at Don Bosco Matunga (Mumbai), the kids play for a while before they study. I watch them as the captains choose their teams for basketball or cricket. The younger ones have their heads down and shuffle their feet as they hear the captains call the names of the older kids or the better players. Sometimes, a captain does not see an older or stronger player and calls the name of a younger kid. The joy on his/her face is a sight to behold.
Human elections everywhere – whether in politics or business or sports – is the same. We choose the best.
The attitude and behaviour in human election is in sharp contrast to divine election: God’s choice of Israel (first reading) and Jesus’ choice of the apostles (Gospel).
From the human perspective, God’s choice is strange: he chose a weak, landless, wandering nation as his own; Jesus chose those of limited education and means as his closest followers. God chose whom he wished and gave them the gifts they needed to accomplish their mission.
In the first reading, God makes Israel an offer at Sinai. They have already experienced his care for them in the exodus from Egypt. If they want to be God’s “special possession, dearer... than all other people,” they must freely consent to God’s choice of them. God does not want puppets but partners in mutual trust and for a mission.
What is Israel’s mission? “You shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” Israel has the privilege of communicating God’s message to the rest of humankind and of reflecting his holiness.
In the Gospel, Jesus chooses and sets apart a group of ordinary people – fishermen, a tax collector, a teacher of the Law, a zealot – to be partners in his ministry.
For what does Jesus call them? Jesus saw the harassed and helpless crowds and he was moved with compassion. And so, he called the twelve to be shepherds to care for the people and to be signs of God’s compassionate love. Further, he sent them to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel” to announce that the kingdom of God was near.
God continues to call people. He has something for you and me to do in building his kingdom, in spreading his compassionate love.
Question neither his wisdom in choosing you nor his ability to equip you with all you need for the task. Say “yes” and be his ambassador to the world to bring his compassion to all.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: “You have seen for yourselves… how I bore you up on eagle wings and brought you here to myself.” Am I aware of God’s compassion and care for me?
Reading 2: How do I experience God’s love for me (as an individual)?
Gospel: The harvest is abundant but the labourers are few. Why are there only a few labourers? Do I see myself as one whom the “master of the harvest” calls and sends out as a “labourer for his harvest”?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Sisters and brothers, God continues to call people to be signs of his love and compassion for all people. That we, and all whom he calls, may have the courage to respond to his call, we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may grow in our awareness that we belong to God and live as God’s called and chosen people, we pray…
R: For our leaders: that God may give them courage and insight to promote dialogue and understanding so that a new springtime of peace may blossom, we pray…
R: For all fathers and those who have shown us a father’s love: that God may grant them good health, guide them in being good examples, and help them to encourage their children, we pray…
R: For more laborers in God’s vineyard: that God may touch the hearts of many to share in the ministries of teaching, healing, and assistance to those in need, we pray…
R: For all who are ill and for those care for them: that God may send healing to the sick, strength and wisdom to those who care for them, and inspiration to those researching treatments, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that the suffering and searching of others may move our hearts and that the Spirit may guide us in offering hope, purpose, and healing to those around us, we pray…
L: Compassionate Father, through your Son Jesus Christ, you showed your compassion on people in their helplessness. Make us responsible for one another and let us be a living sign of your tender love and compassion to all. 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,
you chose the people of Israel
not because they were strong, wealthy, or faithful.
You chose them because you loved them.
Moved with compassion at the sight of the crowds,
who were like frightened and helpless sheep,
you chose twelve apostles
and sent them to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel”.
Lord,
you call and choose us
not because of our abilities or virtues,
but out of love.
Let none of us be an uncommitted spectator
but make each of us fully aware
that weak and fallible as we are,
you need us and want us to be a holy people,
to witness to your love and compassion for all peoples.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Lord God,
you chose us and made us your own people.
Strengthen us,
weak and fallible as we are,
to build up your kingdom among 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:
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