HOLINESS IS NOT WHAT I DO
INTRODUCTORY RITES
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:
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: A reporter asked Mother Teresa if she had ever been tempted to be proud. She asked: “Proud about what?” The reporter replied: “About the wonderful things you have been doing for the poorest of the poor!” Mother Teresa said: “I have not done anything. It is God who worked in and through my sisters and volunteers.”
Today’s readings remind us it is God who works in and through us, and that holiness is not about self-actualization but recognizing our need for God.
Penitential Rite
L: For the times, we have boasted about our spiritual achievements, and thought that our holiness was our effort, we ask the Lord’s forgiveness.
Pause
L: Lord Jesus, you came to heal the contrite of heart:
Lord, have mercy.
A: Lord, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you always hear the cries of the poor:
Christ, have mercy.
A: Christ, have mercy.
L: Lord Jesus, you are close to the broken-hearted and you hear the prayer of the humble:
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: O God,
who alone can probe the depths of the heart,
you hear the prayer of the humble
and justify the repentant sinner.
Grant us the gift of humility,
that we may see our own sins clearly
and refrain from judging our neighbour.
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 Ecclesiasticus/Sirach 35:12-14, 16-19
Psalm Psalm 34:1-2, 16-18, 22
Response The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Reading 2 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Acclamation
Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
Gospel Luke 18:9-14
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.
Lectio Divina
Imagine you are with Jesus when he addresses the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear this parable?
Sunday Snippets
A man boasted to a spiritual master that he had achieved quite a degree of holiness: “I rise early in the morning; I fast from food and drink; I work tirelessly, and I discipline myself with a whip.”
The spiritual master walked with him through a field and pointed to a donkey. He said: “That donkey rose early in the morning. It hasn’t been fed or given a drink. It has worked tirelessly and has been whipped.” He asked the man: “What makes you any different from that ass?”
We could assume that we can become “holy” primarily through our efforts – good deeds, sacrifice and penance, the sacraments – and become proud. Today’s gospel reminds us that holiness isn’t about self-actualization; there’s more to holiness than doing good deeds!
The Pharisee in the parable did all the good practices he listed, which have their merit. The problem:
- his “prayer” is an advertisement for himself with too many I’s (six!); the subject of his prayer is not God but himself!
- he has a “holier-than-thou” attitude.
- he thought his actions justified him and he didn’t need God’s mercy.
The tax collector knew that he was a poor sinner and that he needed God’s grace/mercy and love to help him.
Jesus speaks “this parable to those who were fully convinced of their righteousness”! Holiness or righteousness is not what we do and achieve. It is recognizing our need for God. It happens when we bring our emptiness before him and let him pour his love into us. It’s only then we – like the tax collector – are justified, that is, set right with God.
The first reading from Sirach reiterates this truth: “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal.” In the second reading, Paul boasts that he has finished the race and that the crown of righteousness awaits him. But he boasts in the Lord.
Do I tell God what I have done for him? Do I compare myself with others convinced of my righteousness? Or do I stand humbly before God, aware of my nothingness, and acknowledge his love and mercy to me?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:
Reading 1: Do I do anything when I hear the cry of the oppressed, the orphan or the widow? Is there something I could do to help anyone in need that I am not doing now?
Reading 2: Do I sometimes feel as if I am being “poured out like a libation,” or that everyone has deserted you? What did Paul do to combat these feelings in himself? What would help me?
Gospel: What is my attitude to sin in my life? Do I take it seriously and seek forgiveness? Or do I excuse it or compare myself with others and think I am better than they?
We can easily fall into the trap of judging others who fall short of own standards. Why is this dangerous? How can I avoid it?
The Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
L: Sisters and brothers, we bring our prayers to the Father with humility and confidence in his goodness and generosity and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.
R: For the Church: that we may recognize our need for God and resist relying upon our own efforts to justify ourselves, we pray…
R: For the world: that God may turn hearts from violence, inspire leaders to start new initiatives, and give courage to all who are working for peace, we pray to the Lord…
R: For those who are rich in possessions and God-given talents: that they may not look down on the less privileged but invest their wealth and potential for the growth of people, we pray to the Lord…
R: For all who are bound by a spirit of self-righteousness: that God may free their hearts, break down the walls of prejudice, and open them to the dignity of each person, we pray to the Lord…
R: For greater stewardship: that all people may learn to respect creation and care for it as a gift of God, we pray to the Lord…
R: For ourselves: that we may come before God honestly, surrendering our pride, and recognizing the limits of our strengths and abilities, we pray…
L: Lord our God, we know that beautiful words mean little if they do not spring from humble and sincere hearts. Help us to do as we say and to live as we pray, that you may hear our prayer. 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,
let me have a powerful self-image
and recognise that I am unique and gifted…
Let me also recognise
that every excellence I have is a gift from you
and you have given it to me
so that I can share it with others in love
and rejoice with them when they have it too…
and thus be “justified” before you.
Lord, stop me from being self-righteous
and from looking down on others,
which is the worst kind of pride.
CONCLUDING RITE
Concluding Prayer
L: Kind and merciful Father,
we stand before you empty-handed.
Forgive us for the times we boast
of the good that you gave us the grace to do.
Keep us from looking down
on any of our brothers and sisters,
and give us grateful hearts
for all that we have received from you.
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:
