XXII Sunday of the Year

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:

Sing to the Mountains

These Alone are Enough

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.

Liturgical Readings for the XXII Sunday of the Year

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.

Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

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.

Acclamation

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 say it is important for companies/ organizations to develop a brand identity or the “face” that interacts with the world. They are quick to caution – whatever you create must 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 schooling his disciples about who he is; through Peter’s confession of faith, they have recognized Jesus as the Christ. Jesus does not fit the popular conception of the Christ as a military conqueror. He begins to show his disciples that he is the Christ who must suffer. He had challenged oppressive powers; this would have tragic consequences. But there is no place for suffering in Peter’s understanding of the Christ; the rock is now a stumbling stone! Jesus tells him to take his place as a disciple (behind the Master) and states that 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 grew tired of the demands of authentic prophecy and tried voluntary retirement but had to speak 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.

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 promises his disciples that if they carry their cross, they will find a life of union 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, especially the flash floods in Nepal and Tibet: 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:

Take Up Your Cross

Follow Me

XXI Sunday of the Year

PERFECTED IN WEAKNESS

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:

City of 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: We sometimes wonder how Jesus put his Church into the hands of weak and frail people – our leaders and us. We get disheartened by our failures and those of our leaders. But God trusts us and our leaders.

Let us pray for ourselves and for our leaders that we may allow God to strengthen us for the work of his kingdom.

Penitential Rite

L: And for the times we have become discouraged with failure, we ask God for his mercy.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God:

Lord, have mercy.

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you commissioned Peter as the rock on which you built your church: 

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you promised that the powers of evil 

would never overcome your people despite their frailty:

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: Living God,

increase our faith,

that we may confess Jesus as your Son,

take up his work on earth,

and trust his promise to sustain the Church.

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 XXI Sunday of the Year

Reading 1 Isaiah 22:19-23

Psalm Psalm 138:1-2, 2-3, 6, 8

Response Lord, your love is eternal;

do not forsake the work of your hands.
Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

Reading 2 Romans 11:33-36

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

You are Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church
and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.

                  Acclamation

Gospel Matthew 16:13-20

 

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 asks: “Who do you say that I am?” What is your response? 

Then you hear him commend Peter: “Blessed are you, Simon… you are Peter…” What are your feelings and thoughts?

Sunday Snippets

Duke Ellington – composer, pianist, and conductor – composed with each musician in mind. He said: “You keep their weaknesses in your head as you write, and that way you astonish them with their strengths.”

That’s the way God works with the leaders he chooses and with us: he keeps our weaknesses in mind and astonishes us with our strengths; he perfects us in weakness. After Simon acknowledged Jesus as the Christ, Jesus gave him a new name, Peter, and a mission, the foundation for the Church.

What kind of a foundation was Peter? 

Soon after being named ‘rock’, Peter misunderstood the nature of Jesus’ mission. During Jesus’ passion, Peter denied him thrice. After the resurrection, Peter could think of nothing more productive to do than to return to fishing. Twenty years later, he withdrew from table fellowship with some Christians because they were Gentiles. By nature, Peter was not rock!

But the weak and human Simon became rock when he was open to divine revelation (“Blessed are you, Simon”), and when Jesus prayed for him (“Peter, I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail”). After Pentecost, Peter fearlessly proclaimed the gospel. He was imprisoned, tried, tortured, forbidden to preach… he did not stop preaching! Through grace, Peter became rock.

There is something of Simon in all of us. We misunderstand Jesus’ mission and words; we deny Jesus; we get engrossed in our career and work… Yet God keeps choosing us, with and despite our weaknesses, and strengthens us to be his church. He perfects us in weakness. We will be rocks when we recognize our radical need for God and his grace.

Will I open myself to his grace? Will I allow him to perfect me?

Questions to Ponder

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

Reading 1: “He shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” How can the Church be a parent in the present crises? What qualities/virtues should Church leadership have besides faith? How do I exercise leadership in my family/church?

Reading 2: “For who has known the mind of the Lord?” Do I attempt to discern the mind of the Lord in my life? Do I know where God is leading me, or what God is doing in my life?

Gospel: Confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, is difficult when we are surrounded by contrary powers, beliefs, and ideologies. How do I profess my faith in such situations?

What type of rock am I for others? What is the mission the Lord has given me? 

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Let us bring our petitions to God our Father from whom comes all authority in heaven and on earth, and pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For Pope Leo, St Peter’s successor: that the Holy Spirit may guide him in proclaiming the Good News, promoting unity in the Church, and inspiring us to greater love and service, we pray… 

R: For all who exercise authority: that they may recognize God as the source of all authority and use their power for promoting justice and the common good, we pray…

R: For all who are suffering from disasters, unemployment, persecution, or sickness: that God may relieve their pain, protect them from harm, and give them strength of spirit, we pray…

R: For greater stewardship of the earth: that our hearts may be moved as we behold the wondrous work of God in nature and that we may care for it so that future generations may see God’s work, we pray…

R: For ourselves: that we may boldly profess Jesus as Lord and help others to come to know and follow him, we pray…

L: God our Father, may we become more like your Son, unconcerned about power and prestige, and reflect his attitude, who came not to be served but to serve. 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

Lord,

when you asked your disciples that question,

Simon was awkwardly bold, 

and walked on water again, figuratively this time. 

And you gave him a high compliment.

Yet, the apostle whom you renamed “rock” 

did not understand your mission to suffer and die,

betrayed you in your worst need,

went back to his boat and nets.

But Simon came back to you. 

Every time.

He clung to you in the face of his own brokenness.

Simon loved you, and held on to you anyway.

That is why he is Peter.

Lord, I know my own “un-rightnesses” 

and I need to pray with them with humility.

Like Simon, I misunderstand your mission and mine;

deny you, betray you, forget you;

focus on my plans and my career.

Like Simon, may I come back to you every time,

may I cling to you in love and through my frailties.

And may I keep responding in word and deed:

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: God our Father,

make our faith grow in us,

that it may weather all difficulties.

Give us also a great understanding

and trust in the leadership of the Church,

that with our Pope and our bishops

we may strengthen the community

of the faithful of your Church.

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:

Who You Say I Am

Broken Vessels

XX Sunday of the Year

MOVE THE FENCE

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:

All Are Welcome

God’s Wonderful People

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: We live in age of growing communalism, regionalism, and nationalism. In this context, today’s readings come as a breath of fresh air. They remind us that God loves all people beyond barriers, boundaries, borders. 

We pray that we may imitate God in his universal, all-inclusive love.

Penitential Rite

L: For the times we have created barriers and divisions, we ask God for his mercy, which is also universal.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you dialogued with the Samaritan woman:

Lord, have mercy.

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you healed the servant of the Roman centurion: 

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you praised the faith of the Canaanite woman:

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 all nations, you invite all to your table, and in your family no one is a stranger. Extend to all peoples on earth the joy of faith and 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 XX Sunday of the Year

Reading 1 Isaiah 56:1, 6-7

Psalm Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8

Response O God, let all the nations praise you.

Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

Reading 2 Romans 9:1-5

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the kingdom

and cured every disease among the people.

Acclamation

Gospel Matthew 15:21-28  

 

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 when the Canaanite woman comes. You witness the whole dramatic encounter. What are your feelings and thoughts? 

Sunday Snippets

During WWII, a group of soldiers lost a buddy and wanted to bury him in a proper grave. They found a church with a cemetery and asked the parish priest to bury their friend. The deceased was not a Catholic. The priest expressed his sympathy but said the cemetery was reserved for Catholics. He asked them to bury their friend just outside the fence and assured them that he would care for the grave.

A year later, they decided to visit their buddy’s grave. They found the cemetery but not the grave. When they asked the priest, he told them that it didn’t seem right that the soldier was buried outside the cemetery. “So, you moved the grave?” asked the friends. “No,” said the priest, “I moved the fence.”  

Today’s liturgy challenges us to “move the fence” so that we can move beyond barriers and boundaries.

The Canaanite woman overcame three religious-cultural barriers to approach Jesus: she was a woman (in Semitic culture, women did not approach men); she was a widow; she was a foreigner/ gentile. She overcame three barriers from Jesus: his indifferent silence; his statement about his mission “only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel”; his rebuke about not throwing children’s food to the dogs. Her persistence persuaded Jesus to “move the fence”, to go beyond boundaries—gender, ethnic, religious, and geographical—to cure her daughter. The woman is a Canaanite but addressed Jesus as “Lord” and “Son of David”. Matthew thus presents her as a disciple and emphasises that discipleship is not restricted to Jews; it is open to anyone who believes in Jesus. 

Isaiah (first reading) announces God’s intention to extend Israel’s privileges to all foreigners who love the Lord and join themselves to him. His house is a house of prayer “for all peoples”. 

Paul (second reading) emphasises that God’s mercy is for all, whether Jew or gentile.

In an age of growing communalism and nationalism, we need this reminder of God’s universal love and imitate him.

Do I reach out to all people beyond gender, class, race, or religion? How will I imitate God in going beyond barriers and boundaries? Will I move the fence?

Questions to Ponder

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

Reading 1: “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Is God’s house open to all people or to a few? How welcome do “strangers” feel in our churches?

Reading 2: “I am the apostle to the Gentiles.” How comfortable am I talking about Jesus to people of other faiths and persuasions?

Gospel: Have I had a request rejected (by God/ an elder)? What did it feel like? What was my response to this rejection? 

How open am I to people who are “different” (gender, ideology, race, religion…) from me?

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Sisters and brothers, let us bring our petitions to God our Father, who opens his heart to all people who seek him, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For the Church: that we may be instruments of God’s mercy, guides for all who are seeking God, and companions to those developing a relationship with God, we pray… 

R: For the world: that God may turn hearts and change minds so that we may respect all people, affirm their dignity, and work to end prejudice and racism, we pray…

R: For countries and people divided by religious belief: that God’s Spirit may bring understanding and cooperation, we pray…

R: For people who have experienced prejudice and racial violence: that God may heal their hearts and help them to continue to use their gifts and talents for his glory, we pray…

R: For those affected by natural disasters: that God may ease their pain, give them strength, and renew their hope, we pray…

R: For ourselves: that we may open our hearts to all people, and be examples of Christian discipleship to all we meet, we pray…

L: God our Father, do not allow us ever to become a self-enclosed, self-satisfied group, but make us into a real community open to all people and all needs. 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,

the woman in the gospel is “just a woman”, 

she isn’t Jewish. 

For your disciples, she is unimportant, she does not matter;

they want you to “send her away”.

You, too, seem indifferent to her. 

Why, Lord? 

Were you tired or anxious? Did you need some “me time”?

The woman addresses you as “Son of David”.

She calls you “Lord.”

She believes in you as the Messiah, as God.

In her riposte to you, she seems to say:

“A person’s status does not matter as long as he/she believes. 

And I do believe.”

Lord, to have faith is to be one of the sheep of Israel. 

Female, Gentile, whatever else… is irrelevant; 

she has the one thing that really matters: total faith.

She is a true disciple.

Lord, may I have such faith—

that engages in dialogue with you;

that goes beyond all barriers and boundaries; 

that believes in your power to save;

that includes everyone.

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: Father of all, make your Church a place of encounter for all those who grope for you, and remove all barriers to your love. May there be room in our hearts for all people, whatever their race or social class, their culture or education. Let our world not be marred or divided by our prejudices and fears. 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:

One Bread, One Body

O Lord, Furnace of Love

XIX Sunday of the Year

AMID THE STORM

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:

Precious Lord, Take My Hand

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: We come to this celebration with our burdens, with the storms of our lives, with the problems of our little worlds and of our world.  The Lord assures us that he is with us. He invites us to trust in him, and to ride the stormy waves of our lives. 

Let us pray that we may be aware of his comforting presence.

Penitential Rite

L: For the times we have allowed the storms to overwhelm us, for not believing in God’s abiding presence, we ask the Lord to forgive us.

        Pause

L: Lord Jesus, you went up on the mountain by yourself to pray:

Lord, have mercy. 

A: Lord, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you reassure us “It is I; do not be afraid”: 

Christ, have mercy.

A: Christ, have mercy.

L: Lord Jesus, you bid us come to you through the storm:

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 all power, when we and our world are in danger, make firm our trust; when we falter, steady us and our faith. May we always experience your presence and your saving power. 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 XIX Sunday of the Year

Reading 1 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-13a

Psalm Psalm 85:9, 10, 11-12, 13-14

Response Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation.

Option 1 or Option 2 or Option 3

Reading 2 Romans 9:1-5

Acclamation Alleluia, alleluia.

I wait for the Lord;

my soul waits for his word.

Acclamation

Gospel Matthew 14:22-33  

 

Reflection on the Readings

 

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

Lectio Divina

Imagine you are in the boat with the disciples. The boat is being tossed by the waves and water is entering it. What are you feeling?

When you think it cannot get any worse, you see this ghost-like figure walking on the sea! What do you feel now? 

Then you hear a familiar voice speak: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” What do you want to do? 

Stay with your feelings and listen to him.

Sunday Snippets

We are amid a great storm in our lives – inflation and unemployment; hatred and intolerance; natural disasters and violent conflict in several parts of the world. Many of us are overwhelmed. 

The readings of today feature people who are overwhelmed by events in their lives. Amid an overwhelming chaos, they experience God’s abiding presence.

The first reading features Elijah who fled into the desert to escape the wrath of Jezebel. There he encountered an angel who comforted him and gave him food. Strengthened by that encounter, he journeyed forty days to Horeb, where he faces more chaos: a strong wind, an earthquake, a fire. Then he experiences the presence of God in “a tiny whispering sound”. Elijah’s flight to Mount Horeb ends with an encounter with God.

Paul (second reading) is overwhelmed with sorrow that his fellow Jews had not accepted Christ. His faith is steadied by recalling God’s irrevocable gifts to Israel.

The gospel portrays the disciples caught in a terrible storm which swamps their boat. When they are in disarray, there is more chaos and fear—for they think they see a ghost. It is Jesus who reassures them: “It is I (literally I am); do not be afraid.” These words would have evoked memories of Yahweh’s revelation to Moses (Exodus 3:14). The disciples’ crossing to the other side, interrupted by a destructive storm, ends with an encounter with God.

When destructive forces assail me, let me walk on like Elijah; when the storms of life engulf me, let me keep battling them like the disciples. The Lord is with me to sustain me. And at some point, perhaps when I reaches the “depths”, I will encounter him. I will hear those reassuring words: “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” May the storms of my life cease with an encounter with God. Then, like Elijah and Peter, may I walk on. 

Questions to Ponder

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

Reading 1: We tend to look for God in the dramatic! Do I ever take time to listen for the “tiny whispering sound”? 

Reading 2: Paul is in “great sorrow and constant anguish” because some of his people have not accepted Jesus. What do I feel/do when my loved ones reject beliefs that are important to me?

Gospel: How is living with a natural disaster/ national insecurity/ environmental crisis like the storm which engulfed the disciples? What would have helped Peter keep walking: ignore the wind; keep his eyes on Jesus; something else? What might help me now?

The Creed

Prayer of the Faithful

L: Sisters and brothers, with deep faith, we bring our concerns to God who is ever-present with his people, as we pray: Lord, hear our prayer.

R: For the Church: that we may recognize God’s presence in the extraordinary and ordinary events of our lives, we pray… 

R: For world leaders: that they may respect their opponents, express their concerns thoughtfully, and work for the common good, we pray…

R: For those affected by disasters: that God may give them courage, ease their pain, and touch the hearts of many to assist them, we pray…

R: For all who struggle with doubt and uncertainty: that they may find a path for growth and deeper faith, we pray…

R: For those facing crises: that they may hear Christ’s invitation to step forward in faith and find healing and renewal as they take the hand of Christ, we pray…

R: For ourselves: that we may hear the voice of the Lord calling us to “not be afraid” and turn to him in every circumstance that is beyond our control, we pray…

L: Gracious Lord, we believe that you are with us through the storms and chaos of our lives and speak to us in tiny whispering sounds. May we heed your voice telling us to have courage and to not be afraid. 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 “made the disciples get into a boat” 

and precede you “to the other side.” 

You sent them ahead 

because you still needed to be alone 

to grieve over John’s death, which you had not yet gotten to do.

May I learn from you 

to get my alone time when I need it.

Lord, 

there are times when I am overwhelmed;

the storms and upheavals are too much for me.

I need help. And I need it now! 

May I see you walk towards me;

may I hear you assure me “It is I, do not be afraid”;

may I find you in the “tiny whispering sound”.

And when I walk on stormy waters, 

may I never look down, 

but keep my eyes fixed on you—always. 

Stretch out you hand and hold me.

CONCLUDING RITE

Concluding Prayer

L: Lord God, Father of all, you invite us through Jesus, your Son, to leave our timid security and to come across the water with him to commit ourselves to you and to others. Even though we may not see his hand reaching out to us and holding us, give us enough trusting faith to be certain that with him we shall overcome. 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:

Amid the Storm

Walk With Me, O My Lord