The Ascension of the Lord

CONTINUING THE MISSION

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:

Hail the Day

Sing A New Song Unto the Lord

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: Today is the Solemnity of the Ascension. We celebrate Jesus giving his disciples a program and a promise. The program: to witness to him and to continue his mission; the promise: to be with us always through his Spirit.

We pray, like the disciples did in the Upper Room, for the gift of the Spirit to strengthen us for our mission.

Penitential Rite

L: For the times we have failed in our witnessing mission, we ask the Lord to pardon us.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you are seated at the right hand of the Father. 

Lord, have mercy. 

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you promised the disciples the gift of the Spirit.

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you assure us that you are with us always.

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 of majesty, yours is the power that raised Christ from death, yours the glory that exalted him to your right hand. By the mystery of the ascension, sustain our hope as we bear witness to our baptism. By the perpetual outpouring of your Spirit, confirm your Church in its mission of salvation.

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.

Liturgical Readings for the Solemnity of the Ascension

Reading 1 Acts 1:1-11

Psalm Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9  

Response God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord. 

or: Alleluia.

Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

Reading 2 Ephesians 1:17-23

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

Go and teach all nations, says the Lord;

I am with you always, until the end of the world.

Acclamation

Gospel Matthew 28:16-20  

 

Reflection on the Readings

 

Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.

Lectio Divina

Be with Jesus and his disciples on the mountain. Listen to the Lord give you his missionary mandate: “You will be my witness” and assure you: “I am with you always.” Stay with your thoughts and feelings.

Sunday Snippets

Leonardo da Vinci was working on a large canvas in his studio: he chose the subject, sketched the outline, applied the colours. Then he stopped, summoned one of his students, and invited him to complete the work. The horrified student protested that he was unworthy and unable to complete the work which his master had begun. But da Vinci silenced him: “Will not what I have done inspire you to do your best?” 

Our master began his work of proclaiming the good news by what he said and did, and by his passion, death, and resurrection. Then he stopped and summoned his disciples to complete the work. 

This is the thrust of the Ascension. Jesus gives his disciples a program (witness to him) and a promise (the Holy Spirit). 

This focus comes through beautifully in today’s selection of readings.

In the gospel, Jesus commissions his disciples to teach all nations and to make disciples of them. He promises to be with them “always, until the end of the age.”

In the first reading, the program and the promise are similar. Jesus calls his disciples to be his “witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” and promises them the power of the Spirit.

There are three aspects about Christian witness.

a) in a court, a witness cannot give hearsay evidence but personal experience; a Christian testifies to a personal experience of God. 

b) witness is not of words but of deeds.

c) the Greek word for witness and for martyr is the same: “martus”; to be a witness means to live the mission of Christ no matter what the cost.

Christian witness sounds a tough task. And it is… if we attempt it alone. That’s why Jesus promises his presence and the Spirit, the Comforter (which comes from the Latin fortis, which means strong). The Spirit strengthens the disciples to carry on the mission of Christ.

Like da Vinci’s disciple, we may think we are unworthy and unable to complete the work of our master. 

Will his life not inspire us to do our best? How will I witness to Jesus and carry on his mission? Will I live the program and rely on the promise?

Questions to Ponder

Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:

Reading 1: Jesus told his apostles that they would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them and they would be his witnesses. On whom do I depend for spiritual understanding? Do I witness to Jesus? How?

Reading 2: God has given me a Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Have my eyes been enlightened such that I “know what is the hope that belongs to his call”? Am I aware of “the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe”?

Gospel: Jesus commissions his disciples to continue his mission without geographical or temporal limits. How do I fulfil this Great Commission? Do I reach out to people of “all nations” or do I restrict myself to “my” people? 

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Jesus, our Risen Lord, lives for ever to pray for us and with us to the Father. Through him, we implore the Father for the needs of the Church and of the world, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For the Church: that, empowered by the Spirit, we may faithfully witness to the Gospel and continue Christ’s mission of bringing hope and healing to those in need, we pray to the Lord… 

R: For the world: that God may turn the hearts of all from violence towards co-operation in facing the challenges that confront us, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who spread the Good News: that God will inspire missionaries, preachers, composers, and writers to dynamically announce God’s abiding presence and untiring love for all, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who are ill: that God’s healing spirit may ease their pain, strengthen them, and restore them to wholeness, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who are fearful or anxious: that they may allow God to calm their spirits and give them hope, we pray to the Lord…

R: For ourselves: that through the words of Jesus and the example of the early disciples we may discover our identity as disciples and continue the work of our master, we pray to the Lord…

L: Lord our God, you have entrusted to us the mission of your Son. Give us the grace to learn from him to love and serve. May people see that Christ is alive because we are his body to the world. He is Lord for ever and ever. 

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

Marie Dunne’s hymn, You Will Be My Witnesses, celebrates Christ’s commission to be his witnesses and his promise to always be with us. 

The hymn was originally composed to celebrate the Year of Vocation (2008).

Watch:  You Will Be My Witnesses

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: God our Father, when we keep looking for Jesus in the clouds, make us turn to the mission he has given us here on earth. When we are too attached to this earth, remind us that in your time you will complete his work in us and take us to your joy and glory. 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:

Here I am Lord

God’s Spirit is in My Heart

VI Sunday of Easter

NOT ALONE!

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:

Just Like a Child

Sing to the Mountains

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: When kids feel lonely and desolate and frightened, what do they do? They cling to a stuffed toy or their “blanket” that gives them peace and comfort. This blanket is actually called a comforter. 

The Lord promises us a Comforter: the Holy Spirit, who is with us not just in moments of loneliness but always. We pray that we may cling to this great gift of the Spirit.

Penitential Rite

L: For the moments, we have not recognized God’s presence in our lives and have given in to desolation, we ask the Lord to pardon us.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father. 

Lord, have mercy. 

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Jesus Christ, you have given us the consolation of the truth.

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you promise to be with us through your Spirit.

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: Lord our God, your Son has promised not to leave us orphans. Give us the Holy Spirit, to be with us and to live in us, that we may feel your comforting presence and that we may make the Good News of your love visible and tangible to all. 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.

Liturgical Readings for the VI Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 8:5-8, 14-17

Psalm Psalm 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20  

Response Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. 

or: Alleluia.

Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

Reading 2 1 Peter 3:15-18

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord,

and my Father will love him and we will come to him.

Acclamation

Gospel John 14:15-21  

 

Reflection on the Readings

 

Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.

Lectio Divina

Once more, place yourself in the Upper Room with Jesus and his disciples. The Lord tells you: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” Become aware of your feelings and thoughts as you hear the Lord repeat this phrase to you.

Sunday Snippets

Home Alone. The real-life experience, not the movie, of many people. Here’s just one story: 

“I am sixteen. A year ago, I lost the most important person in my life: my grandmother. She was my world, and suddenly she was gone. I was alone. I cried for days, cursing God, her, and even myself for her death. I had no idea how to get through my freshman year, but I did. Now I remember her and do what I know she would want me to do: help people.”

Alone. On their own. That’s perhaps the way the apostles felt during the Last Supper.

Jesus, the most important person in their lives, has repeatedly told them about his death. Jesus promises them his Spirit to comfort and lead them: “The Father... will give you another advocate to be with you always... I will not leave you orphans.” He reminds them: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. Whoever loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

A promise and a reminder! The promise of the eternal, comforting, abiding, and advocating presence of the Spirit. The reminder that they will experience the full presence of the Spirit when they love… because the Spirit is love.

We see the promise and the reminder unfold in the first reading: with the power of the Spirit and with love, the disciples go out to proclaim Christ to the people of Samaria. Like the sixteen-year-old, when they reach out, they are alone no longer.

We, too, have been given this gift of the Spirit. Why do we still feel lonely and troubled? Perhaps because we have forgotten the promise and the reminder. 

Am I open to the comforting and guiding presence of the Spirit? Do I keep the commandment of love? Then… I will not be alone. I will not feel “orphaned”.

Questions to Ponder

Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:

Reading 1: The Samaritans saw the signs Philip was doing and were filled with “great joy”. What are the signs of God’s presence in my life? Do these signs fill me with joy? What “miraculous” signs have I seen during the past year? 

Reading 2: How do I “sanctify Christ as Lord” in all of life’s arena: home, school/ college/ work, church, world, all creation? 

Gospel: In moments of trial and tribulation, do I hear Jesus’ words: “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you”? Do I experience his presence through the Spirit and by keeping his commandments?

“To believe that the Holy Spirit is at work in everyone means realizing that he seeks to penetrate every human situation and all social bonds” (Evangelium Gaudium, 178). Can I discern the work of the Spirit in my life?

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Inspired by Jesus’ promise of everlasting love, we make our petitions with renewed confidence to God our Father and we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: That the Spirit of strength may be given to the Pope and the bishops to bear witness to hope and joy, we pray to the Lord… 

R: That the Spirit of power may be given to those who are persecuted for following their consciences and standing up for justice and peace, we pray to the Lord…

R: That the Spirit of light may be given to those who do not yet know the Lord and to those who fail to follow him, we pray to the Lord…

R: That the Spirit of love may be given to those who want to grow in love of God, of neighbour, and of creation, we pray to the Lord…

R: That the Spirit of hope may be given to the lonely and the unloved, we pray to the Lord…

R: That the Spirit of unity may be given to all who share in this celebration with faith and understanding, we pray to the Lord…

L: God our Father, pour out your Spirit on us and our world. Let him lead us forward in hope and help us to build our future with you. 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 promised the apostles

that you would not leave them orphans

and would ask the Father 

to give them another Advocate to be with them always.

Lord,

you make the same promise to me.

It is comforting to know that I am never alone, 

that you are with me and in me. 

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me

that I am not alone... even when I feel that way.

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: Lord, open our hearts to your power moving around us and within us, until your glory is revealed in our love, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. 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:

Let the Son of God Enfold You

I Will Never Forget You

V Sunday of Easter

FEAR BUSTERS

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:

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

Though the Mountains May Fall

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: Often people tell us: “Don’t worry” or “cheer up” or “take care.” Empty words? Perhaps! The Lord today tells us: “Do not let your hearts be troubled” and gives us three “fear busters”. May we follow his simple advice and overcome fear in our lives.

Penitential Rite

L: For the times we have not trusted the Lord and given in to fear, we ask his pardon.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father. 

Lord, have mercy. 

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Jesus Christ, you have given us the consolation of the truth.

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you give us yourself to heal us and bring us strength.

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: Enliven our faith, that through Christ we may put our trust in you. Deepen our faith, that in Christ we may serve you. Complete our faith, that one day we may live with you in that place which Christ prepares for us, where 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.

Liturgical Readings for the V Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 6:1-7

Psalm Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19  

Response Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you. 

or: Alleluia.

Option 1 or Option 2

Reading 2 1 Peter 2:4-9

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;

no one comes to the Father, except through me.

Acclamation

Gospel John 14:1-12  

 

Reflection on the Readings

 

Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.

Lectio Divina

Place yourself in the Upper Room with Jesus and his disciples. The Lord says: “Do not let your heart be troubled.” What are your thoughts and feelings when you hear these words?

Sunday Snippets

A little boy was scared to sleep alone. He called out to his dad: “I’m scared. Please stay here with me.”

Dad said: “Son, nothing will happen to you. Mom and I are in the next room.”

“I know, Daddy. But I’m scared.”

“There’s no reason to be scared. God is there with you.”

“I know that, also, Daddy. But I want someone with skin on.”

The little boy’s fear is like the disciples’ fear. Jesus—their master, for whom they left everything—is leaving them. They are afraid to face the world alone; they fear staying in their “room” alone. 

Jesus assures them that there is no need to be afraid and gives them three fear busters.

The first fear buster: faith in God and his Son. “You believe in God, believe also in me.” 

The second fear buster: God is with us. Jesus tells Philip: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father… I am in the Father and the Father is in me.” In and through his Son, God is by our side, is present with skin on, is deeply involved in the events and crises of our world.

Jesus says: “I am going to prepare a place for you.” God has a special place for each one of us in the church and in the world. We need to find that place/mission/role. The third fear buster: finding our place and mission in life.

Does this mean we won’t have problems? No! The first reading describes the problems the fledgling church has in the food distribution system! The fear busters help the church overcome this problem. Faith in God and the awareness of his presence with them keep the apostles from getting overwhelmed. They find their place and role in the church: the apostles focus on preaching; they appoint deacons to look after the administration.

 

The little boy’s fear is like our own. Problems assail us, the darkness of our “nights” frighten us. We need someone—with skin on—by our side. Do I have faith in God? Do I believe that he is with me in his Son and in people? What am I doing to find my place in life?

May we hear the Lord say: “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Questions to Ponder

Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:

Reading 1: As the early church grew, problems arose and were addressed. What are the “problem areas” in the Church and in society today? What can I do to help address these issues? 

Reading 2: St Peter says that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own…” Do I feel thus? How often and how do I “announce the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light”? 

Gospel: What are the anxieties and trials that trouble my heart? Can/ does my faith in God and in Jesus sustain me during these troubled times? If not, what can I do?

The disciples did not want him to leave. Can I relate to this desire to be with the people I love? How do I handle “departures”? 

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Sisters and brothers, the Lord says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled…” Casting our fears aside, we bring our needs to the Lord and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For the Church: that we may more clearly hear the voice of Jesus in our lives so that we can come to the Father through him, we pray to the Lord… 

R: For the world: that the Lord soften the hearts of aggressors and that peace may prevail in all nations, we pray to the Lord…

R: For those burdened by worry and anxiety: that they may find hope, freedom, and peace in Jesus, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who are ill: that God may heal them and restore them to health, we pray to the Lord…

R: For our common home: that the Lord may bestow on us the wisdom to care for the earth and to preserve his natural gifts for ourselves and for future generations, we pray to the Lord…

R: For ourselves: that God may give us the grace to know him as our companion in times of loneliness, our gladness in times of suffering, and our hope in times of uncertainty, we pray to the Lord…

L: God our Father, you love us and give us Jesus to guide us to you. Accompany us during the terrifying moments of our lives and bring us to the secure place your Son has prepared for us. 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,

like your disciples,

our hearts are troubled.

Is there any escape, we ask, from

war, racism, hate crimes, intolerance, climate change?

Be with us now, please.

To know you is to know and love the Father and the Spirit.

And that is everything.

No fear there.

You are our way, our truth, and our life.

Wherever you abide

– in people, in your Church –

is the place that we always want to be

in eternal, self-giving love,

with you, the Father, and your Holy Spirit.

Or:

Sing or listen to a hymn celebrating God’s care. For instance:

It is Well with My Soul

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: Merciful Father, may our sharing in your word         give us new purpose,         cast away fear,         and bring us to new life in 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:

Be Not Afraid

Constantly Abiding

IV Sunday of Easter

DO I STILL HEAR THE SHEPHERD?

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:

Glory and Praise to Our God

Though the Mountains May Fall

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: Today’s liturgy reminds us that God is our shepherd and we are his sheep. We need to listen to him and allow him to shepherd us! We ask the Lord for the grace to be able to hear him above all the noise of our world.

Penitential Rite

L: Today’s liturgy reminds us that God is our shepherd and we are his sheep. We need to listen to him and allow him to shepherd us! We ask the Lord for the grace to be able to hear him above all the noise of our world.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you call your sheep by name. 

Lord, have mercy. 

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Jesus Christ, you walk ahead of your sheep to guide us.

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life.

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, you never cease to call even those far away, for it is your will that all be drawn into one fold. Attune our ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd, who leads us always to you, that we may find under your tender protection life in all its fullness. 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.

Liturgical Readings for the IV Sunday of Easter

Reading 1 Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Psalm Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6  

Response The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. 

or: Alleluia.

Option 1 or Option 2

Reading 2 1 Peter 2:20b-25

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;

I know my sheep, and mine know me.

Acclamation

Gospel John 10:1-10  

 

Reflection on the Readings

 

Use one of the following ways to reflect on the readings.

Lectio Divina

Imagine the Good Shepherd calling out to you. Do you heed his voice? Why/ Why not? 

What does the Lord say to you? How do you respond?

Sunday Snippets

An Amerindian and his friend were walking in midtown New York. Decibel levels were deafeningly high: people chatting, vehicles moving, horns honking. Suddenly, the Amerindian said: “I hear a cricket.” His friend exclaimed: “That’s crazy! You couldn’t possibly hear a cricket in all this noise!” 

The Amerindian insisted that he had heard a cricket. He walked to a big plant, looked under the branches and… found a cricket. 

His friend was stunned: “That’s incredible! You must have superhuman ears!” The Amerindian said: “My ears are no different from yours. It depends on what you’re listening for!” He pulled out a few coins from his pocket and dropped them on the sidewalk. Every head within twenty feet turned to see if the money that had tinkled on the pavement was theirs!

“See what I mean!” said the Amerindian. “It depends on what your ears are attuned to, and that depends on what’s important for you.”

Today’s liturgy highlights the importance of having ears attuned to God and his word.

The gospel has two parables. 

In the first, the imagery is of a sheepfold into which the shepherd and a prowler seek to enter. It is a challenge to Israel’s religious authorities: will they listen to and heed Jesus’ message? Jesus can offer no external credentials for his authority.

The second parable concerns the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd, and between the sheep and a stranger. Jesus indicates that a small group respond in faith to his message because they hear in it the authentic voice of God.

Both parables make the same point: The Lord is our shepherd who cares for us, accompanies us, protects us, and gives us abundant life; we need to listen to him and allow him to be our shepherd. 

The first reading is an “enactment” of the second parable! The people listen to Peter’s admonishment. “They were cut to the heart” and ask what they must do. They heed Peter’s voice: they repent and are saved.

If Jesus and his word are important for us, we will hear him above the bustle of our lives, above the noise of consumerism and materialism. If our ears are attuned to power, prestige, and pleasure, we will hear those. To whom/what do I listen? Whom do I follow? Do I still hear the shepherd and follow him?

The quality of our life indicates to what our ears are attuned! If we do not live “abundantly”, we are listening to and following not the shepherd but a stranger.

Questions to Ponder

Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions:

Reading 1: Those listening to Peter’s sermon were “cut to the heart.” Does anything affect me this way? They asked: “Brothers, what should we do?” How would I have responded to Peter’s sermon?

Reading 2: Am I patient in moments of suffering? How do I follow Jesus’ path of non-violence?

Gospel: When flocks were mingled, each flock would recognize its shepherd’s voice and come to him, ignoring other shepherds’ voices. Can I tell which “voice” belongs to the Good Shepherd?

How have I experienced Jesus’ care in my life? What spiritual practices help attune my ears to the voice of the Good Shepherd? 

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Sisters and brothers, with trust in God our Shepherd, who cares for us and our world, we bring our needs to him and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For the shepherds of the Church: that they may take Christ for their model and courageously lead the People of God to the kingdom of justice and love, we pray to the Lord… 

R: For the leaders of nations: that they may promote the dignity of people, and place justice and the quality of life above personal gain and power, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who are suffering from illness and other disasters: that the Lord may be a shepherd to them, guide them to the help they need, and sustain them, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all who have wandered from the pastures of the Lord: that they may hear God’s voice and open their hearts to respond in hope, we pray to the Lord…

R: For all of us: that we, whom the Lord calls by name, may hear the voice of the Good Shepherd and respond to his call, we pray to the Lord…

L: God, our Shepherd, we entrust our cares, our world and ourselves to you. Guide us, protect us, accompany us through all our trials, and bring us to green pastures and restful waters. 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

The shepherd knows his sheep.

And the sheep know him.

He calls each of them by name.

Lord,

we cry out for you to shepherd us right now.

Help us to hear you call our names, 

and to listen to your gentle voice

so that we can follow you to a safe place.

Walk ahead of us and we will follow.

Let us offer one another. 

your abounding life and love.

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: Lord our God, it is good to hear the voice of our Good Shepherd. Let us allow him to lead us to a valley of peace where we learn from him to call each other by name, to have time and space for one another and to give ourselves.

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:

Shepherd of my Soul

Like a Shepherd

Shepherd Me, O God