It cannot be denied that modern men and women are searching for the transcendent and they want an experience of God. Even the Church has seen a renewed need for prayer and meditation as people search deeper for God. Indeed, we all have this longing and thirsting for God. And people do experience God in various situations and settings - at Mass, at prayer meetings, in retreats, at holy places.
In the 1st reading, the prophet Isaiah experienced the holiness of God in a vision. At the same time, he also became aware of his sinfulness and unworthiness, but he was healed of it. Yet, his experience of God also propelled him to a mission, and that was to proclaim the holiness of God to the people.
So an experience of God is not just for our sake but for the purpose of a mission. That is essential to proclaim the presence of God to a secularized world. As Jesus said in the gospel, it is to declare and bear witness to Him in the presence of men. May we not be afraid to let the love of God shine in us.
Introduction
Isaiah (Yahweh is salvation) experienced the holiness of God
and was so haunted by it that it was the central message of his
prophecies – the most vigorous and beautiful of all the prophetic writings. In
the name of God’s holiness, he demanded conversion, especially to end the
social injustice rampant in his time.
“Do not be afraid,” says Jesus to his disciples three times. Even, when persecuted and apparently failing in their mission, like Jesus, their master, they are in God’s hands. God takes care of his own. God’s kingdom cannot be built up without crosses and sacrifices, not without being contested by a world that wants to create its own future.
Opening Prayer
Dependable God, you are present with us in all things, even in our miseries, and you take care of your own. Deepen our trust in you and make us afraid of only one thing: to become instruments of evil. Make us instead messengers of the Good News that evil can be overcome and that your goodness and justice will prevail. Give us this faith and trust through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Intercessions
– For the Church, that free from all paralyzing fears it may
have the courage born of faith to bear witness to the demands of the gospel, we
pray:
– For presiders in the liturgy, that they may have a deep
sense of God’s holiness and of their own limitations and shortcomings, we pray:
– For all of us, that we may not fear those who threaten or
ridicule us for our faith, as we live in trust of God who carries us in his hands,
we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Believable and trustworthy God, your Son Jesus Christ
committed himself to the fight against evil and persecution, yet he himself was
its victim. As he encounters us here in these signs of bread and wine, may he
help us to understand better that the disciple is not above the master, that we
cannot make your kingdom come true without being torn apart nor without being
contested by the world. We trust in you through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion Our holy God, we have shared
the table of your Son; we are willing to share his life and mission. Make us
unafraid, as he was fearless. Help us to be convinced in the deepest of
ourselves that our life and death are in your hands and that our crosses bear
within themselves the seeds of joy and happiness. Give us this faith and
strength through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing Do not be afraid of professing your faith or
of living it. Trust in God, who stands behind