Tuesday October 3, 2017
Introduction
If God lives in the community of his faithful, this community is by itself missionary, for it reveals the face of God; by its witnessing, it attracts others.
The prophet Elijah did not find God in the storm wind or the earthquake or the fire, but in the gentle breeze. The “sons of thunder,” James and John, wanted fire to come down on the Samaritan village that did not receive Jesus, but Jesus reprimanded them. Violence is not God’s way.
Opening Prayer
Lord, our God,
we know that you love us
and that neither suffering nor pain,
even death can separate us from you.
Do not take it too seriously when we complain,
when we are impatient with you,
with ourselves and with people.
Keep before us the image of your Son,
who could not be swayed from his mission
and give us the strength to follow him,
for he is our Lord, for ever and ever.
Reading: ZEC 8:20-23
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
There shall yet come peoples,
the inhabitants of many cities;
and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another,
and say, "Come! let us go to implore the favor of the LORD";
and, "I too will go to seek the LORD."
Many peoples and strong nations shall come
to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem
and to implore the favor of the LORD.
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
In those days ten men of every nationality,
speaking different tongues, shall take hold,
yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say,
"Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."
Responsorial Psalm 87:1B-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (Zec 8:23) God is with us.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. God is with us.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those that know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
"This man was born there."
And of Zion they shall say:
"One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD."
R. God is with us.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
"This man was born there."
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
"My home is within you."
R. God is with us.
Alleluia MK 10:45
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Son of Man came to serve
and to give his life as a ransom for many.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: LK 9:51-56
When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.
Intercessions
– Lord Jesus, forgive us when we cry out our pain, when it is hard to bear; help us, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, help especially people who are broken and discouraged and alone, that they may carry their burden with you, we pray:
– Lord Jesus, let those who are in a long and painful sickness feel your presence, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
at the table of your Son,
uproot from our hearts
all bitterness and impatience.
You did not destroy us with fire from heaven
when we sinned against you and people.
Encourage us with the fire of love
and give us the bread of strength of your Son.
With him, we offer you our pains,
our impatience, but also our joy and love.
Grant us this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Patient and loving God,
we know that you love us
and want us to be happy.
You let your Son pay the heavy price
for our pride and selfishness.
By this Eucharist, restore us,
keep us hoping and believing in you,
and dispose us to live for others
and if necessary in pain and toil
with them and for them,
as Jesus did, your Son,
who lives with you and stays with us now,
and we hope and pray, for ever.
Blessing
Yes, we have a Lord who was crucified, and we are his followers. But sometimes, we forget and complain too easily. Of course, pain hurts and we have not to ask for it. May God stand by your side and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.