COUNTER THE CULTURE
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: Christianity, or rather Jesus’ way, is counter-cultural! In his Kingdom, the last are first, the poor are blessed, one saves one’s life by losing it, the “crown” comes through suffering and death. It is not easy to understand and accept this counter-cultural way! We pray that we may become “little” to understand Jesus’ way and to accept his yoke.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not understood his way and have not accepted his yoke, we ask the Lord to forgive us.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, Son of God, you humbled yourself by becoming man:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, Universal King, you made yourself poor with us:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, our Master, you made yourself our servant:
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: Father,
make us humble and receptive to the Good News,
for you show yourself to those
who are aware of their poverty and littleness.
Fill us with the trust that you care for us.
Let your peace and rest dwell in us
even in the struggles of life,
as we take the yoke of Jesus, 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 Zechariah 9:9-10
Psalm Psalm 145:1-2, 8-9, 10-11, 13-14
Response I will praise your name for ever, my king and my God.
Reading 2 Romans 8:9, 11-13
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones
the mysteries of the kingdom.
Gospel Matthew 11:25-30
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Listen to Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” What are the burdens that you wish to lay at the Lord’s feet?
Sunday Snippets
Extracts from Ellen Goodman’s editorial, “Battling our Culture is Parents’ Task” in the Chicago Tribune:
One of your main jobs as a parent is to counter the culture. What the media delivers to children by the masses, you are expected to rebut one at a time. We need parents who know how to say “no”. But it occurs to me now the call for “parental responsibility” is increasing in direct proportion to marketplace irresponsibility.
Are the kids being sold junk food? Just say no. Is TV bad? Turn it off. Counter the culture. Mothers and fathers are expected to screen virtually every aspect of their children’s lives.
Parents see themselves in a struggle for the hearts and minds of their own children. It isn’t that they can’t say no. It’s that there’s so much more to say no to. It’s not just that families have less time with their kids, it’s that that we must spend more of this time doing battle with our own culture.
What society compels parents to do today is what Jesus challenged his disciples to do two thousand years ago: counter the culture! Christianity is counter-cultural.
Some indicators of his counter-cultural way:
▪ God’s revelation is not to “the wise and the learned” but to the “little ones”: fishermen, sinners, tax collectors, women – those whom society considered unimportant and marginalised.
▪ Freedom comes not from escapism but from surrendering to the well-fitting yoke of Jesus;
▪ God’s preference is for the “childlike” and the poor.
Why should we be counter-cultural?
The second reason is because Jesus challenges us to be counter cultural.
The first reason is the example of Jesus, who:
▪ rides not a horse but a colt, a symbol of peace; who proclaims not war but peace; who does not build but destroys weapons (cf. the first reading);
▪ took the form of a slave, was born in human likeness, and shows us that authority comes not from power but from service;
▪ calls us to learn from his meekness and humility.
Being counter-cultural is not about boycotting companies, signing online petitions, protesting on streets – though these are sometimes needed. Being counter-cultural is living gospel values, living the way Jesus lived.
Will I imitate my God and be counter-cultural? Will I learn from him who is meek and humble of heart? Will I submit to his yoke?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: What ideas do I associate with the words king and meekness? Is “meek king” an oxymoron? What is the way forward to solve the world’s crises: power or peace?
Reading 2: “The Spirit of God dwells in you.” What implications does this have for me? Do I reverence myself and my neighbour?
Gospel: A carpenter hand-made the yoke to fit the animal that wore it. Do I see my yoke as handmade for me and well-fitting?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: We bring our anxieties and burdens to the One who loves us and strengthens us with confidence that God will provide for us in every circumstance, and so we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Pope and all bishops: that God may help them take up the yoke of Christ and follow him in speaking the truth lovingly and fearlessly, we pray…
R: For our leaders: that God may give them wisdom to address current challenges and courage to work for the good of all, we pray…
R: For all who need healing: that God’s healing Spirit may ease their suffering, restore them to health, and guide all who are caring for them, we pray…
R: For all who are weary: that the Spirit may, through the loving service of people, restore strength to the physically exhausted and hope to those who are emotionally worn out, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may learn dependence upon God and surrender our attempts to control our lives through knowledge, power, or possessions, we pray…
L: Lord our God, show us how to disengage from our busy-ness and technology so that our minds and spirits may be refreshed through prayer, engaging in relationships, and appreciating nature. 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
“My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.”
Lord, it does seem odd, doesn’t it?
But then, Lord,
what you said and did was contrary to the culture.
Still is.
Our culture says: You are strong, you can do it!
You say: Apart from me, you can do nothing.
Our culture says: Look out for yourself.
You say: Serve others like I have served you.
Our culture says: Become rich and famous.
You say: Learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart.
Our culture says: Retaliate. Give back.
You say: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Lord, it does not make sense.
Ah! But I am trying to understand with human wisdom.
I need to become a “little one”.
Help me, Lord.
Or watch Come unto Me
and sing with Jami Smith… Jesus’ invitation to come unto him.
Or watch My Yoke is Easy
– a powerful video clip which says more than words can say!
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Lord of heaven and earth,
you showed yourself to us
in the gentle and humble heart of Jesus.
Uplifted by his word
may we admit how poor and little we are
and learn to give time and attention to the weary.
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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