THE ‘BRAND HEART’ OF CHRISTIANITY
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: Someone said: “We all have our crosses; only the size and weight differ!” This comment sums up one of the core principles of Christianity: the cross is an integral part of discipleship!
Let us pray for the wisdom to understand this truth, and for the strength to carry the many crosses of our daily life.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times we have not wanted to carry our cross, for those moments we have wanted a cross-free Christianity, let us ask the Lord to forgive us.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you resolutely took the way to Jerusalem, to suffer there and die for us:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you wanted to remain faithful to the Father who sent you:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you challenge us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow 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,
your Son Jesus faithfully accepted his mission
even though it brought him death on a cross.
May we have the courage to carry our cross
and follow Jesus all the way.
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 20:7-9
Psalm Psalm 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
Response My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Reading 2 Romans 12:1-2
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
Gospel Matthew 16:21-27
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are with Jesus and his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi. He announces that he “must… suffer greatly… and be killed and on the third day be raised.” What are your thoughts and feelings? Do you think like Peter?
Sunday Snippets
Marketing experts point out that it is important for companies and organizations to develop a brand identity, or the “face” that interacts with the world. But they are quick to caution: whatever you create should communicate who you are: the brand heart (purpose, vision-mission, values).
One may see this Sunday’s gospel as a landmark in Jesus spelling out his “brand heart”!
Jesus has been gradually schooling the disciples about who he is: not just a teacher, or a magnetic preacher, or a healer and miracle worker, but the complete revelation of divine love. Through Peter’s confession of faith (which we heard last Sunday), they have recognized Jesus as the Christ.
But Jesus does not fit the popular conception of the Christ as a military conqueror. And so, he begins to show his disciples that he is the Christ who must suffer; there is a certain necessity about his suffering and death. He had decided to confront opposing forces, to challenge oppressive powers. He understood it was a decision which would have tragic consequences but he accepted them.
But Peter cannot understand! There is no place for suffering in his understanding of the Messiah. Peter the rock is also a stumbling stone! Jesus tells him to take his place as a disciple: behind the Master! And makes it clear what getting behind him entails: taking up the cross and following him… on his way to Jerusalem.
The theme of a brand heart is found in the first reading too which depicts Jeremiah’s suffering as a prophet. He had to deliver an unpopular message, which the people heard as treason, and tortured him. Jeremiah grows tired of the demands of authentic prophecy and tries voluntary retirement, but could not extinguish the fire burning within! He must speak in God’s name regardless of the cost.
Like Jeremiah and Jesus, faithful disciples cannot avoid suffering. It is an integral part of discipleship, a necessary consequence of living by Gospel values, of confronting oppressive forces.
Each of us has a cross to carry; only the size and the weight differ! What are the crosses in my life? Am I willing to carry these and follow Jesus? Who are “the elders, chief priests and scribes” I must confront? Who is the “Peter” to whom I must say “get behind me”?
But discipleship is not only about the cross; there is also the crown. Jesus is convinced that God will vindicate him. He also promises his disciples that if they carry their cross, they will find a life of communion with God.
May we carry our crosses that we may also carry the crown of a life of communion with God.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: Do I feel strongly about any issue such that “I must cry out” even if I become “an object of laughter; everyone mocks me”?
Reading 2: “Do not conform yourselves to this age.” Do I conform myself to this age or do I seek God’s will for me?
Gospel: How do I confront life: with the logic of God and of Jesus or with human logic and that of Peter? What does it mean to lose my life for the sake of Jesus? What are my crosses?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Jesus calls us to follow him and to carry the cross after him. Let us ask our Father for the grace to carry our cross as we pray: Lord, strengthen us to carry our cross.
R: For the Church: that the Spirit may embolden us to witness to God and to courageously follow the example of Jesus, we pray…
R: For political leaders: that they may respect each other’s dignity and find ways to address the real issues of our world and nation, we pray…
R: For all recovering from disasters: that God may ease their suffering and help them to rebuild their lives, we pray…
R: For all who live amidst civil discord and conflict, especially in Manipur: that God may break the cycle of violence, heal the divisions in communities, and protect the innocent, we pray…
R: For all who are suffering for the sake of the Gospel: that God may protect those who risk their lives to bring the Gospel message, the sacraments, or medical care to those in difficult or distant places, we pray…
R: For greater stewardship of the earth: that each of us may make mature lifestyle choices that are selfless and sustainable, and bring healing to all of God’s creation, we pray…
R: For ourselves: that we may honestly seek God’s will in our lives and accept the crosses that come our way, we pray…
L: God our Father, your Son invites us to follow him by carrying our cross. Teach us to serve you, to give and not to count the cost, to toil and not to seek rest, to labour and not to ask for any reward except that of knowing that we do your will. 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 told your disciples the real meaning
of what it would mean to be the Christ:
you would have to show up in Jerusalem and on Calvary.
But they didn’t get it.
Peter “rebukes” you.
He does not want you to suffer.
It is an impulsive response. A very human response.
He cannot understand that the Christ must suffer.
The foundation stone has become a stumbling stone.
Lord, Peter will eventually learn and accept the whole truth,
and even lose his own life in following you.
Deny yourself, you tell us;
take up your cross and follow me.
If I want to be your disciple. If.
Lord, you give me a choice.
But once I make that choice,
I have to pay the price – even at the cost of my life.
Jesus, out of love for us,
you lived out your identity as the Christ.
Show us the way to carry our cross.
Show us how to lose ourselves,
and find ourselves in you, in love.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: God of power and might,
your Son has come here among us
without any display of power
but rather as the humble servant
of his brothers and sisters.
Let us become more like your Son.
May we understand your ways in our lives,
and serenely accept our daily crosses.
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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