TRUE GREATNESS
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: Jesus came among us seeking to serve rather than to be served. He shows us how to live: in a world filled with suffering caused by struggles for position and power, he reminds us that true greatness comes through humble service and suffering. We pray that we may understand and live his teaching on discipleship.
Today is Mission Sunday. The celebration invites us to reflect on the importance of mission work; reminds us that we are one with the Church around the world and that we are all committed to carrying on Christ’s mission in our different situations.
Penitential Rite
L: We ask the Lord to forgive us for the time we have sought power and position.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you came not to be served but to serve:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you warn us not to imitate the high and the mighty:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you remind us that if we wish to be great we must serve:
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: Glorious God,
in Jesus you show us
that your will is to save.
Grant to us the boldness
to desire a place in your kingdom,
the courage to drink the cup of suffering,
and the grace to find in service the glory you promise.
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 Isaiah 53:10-11
Psalm Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22
Response Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Reading 2 Hebrews 4:14-16
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Gospel Mark 10:35-45
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. What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear James and John ask Jesus for places of honour in his kingdom; when you hear Jesus’ admonition to them and to the other ten?
Sunday Snippets
When India became independent, the Defence Minister offered to make General Nathu Singh Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army. He declined since General K.M. Cariappa was senior and more eligible for the post. The Minister then offered the position to General Rajendrasinhji Jadeja; he declined for the same reason. On 15 January 1949, General Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army.
Generals Singh and Jadeja knew that what matters is not where you sit, but where and how you serve. That is what Jesus teaches his disciples in the gospel… again!
James and John ask Jesus for places of honour in his kingdom. The episode continues the theme of discipleship in the Marcan gospel. Jesus has consistently challenged his disciples with the core values of the kingdom: they are to become like children, like servants; to give up all attachments; to be willing to take up their cross and follow – all this in the context of the passion predictions. After the third prediction, James and John ask for special status!
The other ten are indignant, perhaps, because the brothers beat them to the bargaining spot. Jesus instructs them again that the exercise of power in his kingdom is radically different from the exercise of power in earthly realms; that greatness is through humble service. Their model is Jesus himself. John in his gospel conveys the same message through Jesus’ servile act of washing the feet of his disciples.
The first reading, which is the fourth servant song, gives us another aspect of servant leadership: suffering.
In the kingdom of God, true greatness comes through service and suffering.
Do I understand Jesus’ teaching on discipleship or do I clamour for position and power? Am I willing to be serve and to be “the slave of all”?
Albert Schweitzer wrote: “I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found a way to serve.” May we find happiness in service and suffering.
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: Do I suffer with a loved one who is suffering? Would I take the person’s place if I could?
Reading 2: Christ can “sympathize with our weaknesses.” Does he completely understand my situation no matter how dense it is? Am I able to understand other people’s weaknesses?
Gospel: What have I done this week to serve those in need? What keeps me from serving God more wholeheartedly?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Let us pray to God who serves us in many ways that we may learn from his Son who came not to be served but to serve: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may serve the world by standing for justice and peace and defending the freedom and dignity of the human person, we pray…
R: For the Synod of Bishops: that the participants may open their hearts to the Holy Spirit and participate in furthering the life and mission of the church, we pray…
R: For all who exercise authority: that they may use their authority to free those who are unjustly restrained, call forth the gifts of others, and lead others to wholeness and service, we pray…
R: For all missionaries: that their dedication and sacrifice may bear abundant fruit in bringing many to faith in Christ, we pray…
R: For those who have not yet heard the Gospel: that their hearts may be opened to the message of Christ’s love and salvation., we pray…
R: For ourselves: that God may free us from the bonds of our egos and attachment to power and prestige so that we may make service of others our priority, we pray…
L: God and Father, keep us from the urge to seek positions of honour or power. May we learn from your Son that to be great is to serve others and to use up our lives to give them a chance to live. 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,
it is easy to get indignant at James and John
for clamouring for position and honour.
And then I recall the times
when I sought to get places of honour
when I strove for power and prestige.
I am no different from the rulers in our society,
or other important people who like to make their authority felt.
Lord, help me realise that this should never happen among us
because to be great or important
is to be at the service of all.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Our God and Father,
your Son made himself our servant.
May he dispose us to become powerless and vulnerable,
so that we can serve one another,
especially the weakest of our brothers and sisters.
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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