Greeting (See Second Reading)
God chose us specially long ago and destined us to become true images of his Son, so that Jesus might be the eldest of many brothers and sisters. May our brother Jesus be always with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. What Do We Treasure Most?
To understand what is most precious to you, do not think of
your usual concerns and cravings, for they are on the surface of things. Think
of a moment of crisis in your life, when you have to choose the only thing that
counts. What is it? You, things you have, or the Lord? Do you have the courage
to make the right choice? Ask the Lord to let you choose him and his kingdom.
All the rest does not count.
B. For What Do I Risk Everything?
People often dream of finding a treasure or winning the
first prize in the state lottery. The message of today asks us: to you,
Christian, is your faith, your Christian living, your closeness to God the
treasure of your life? Are you willing to risk everything for this treasure?
God’s kingdom, the Gospel, our faith are the pearl and the treasure that we
have to find and keep. Let the Lord make you rich with these.
Penitential Act
We ask now the Lord to forgive us that too often our heart
was not fixed on him but rather on ourselves, on possessions and power (PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you have brought us the treasure of the love of
the Father: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, by your death you have won for us the treasure
of forgiveness and life: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus you have left us in the Eucharist the treasure of your presence and
strength: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy. Lord, in your
immense kindness forgive us all our sins. Lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray God our Father for discerning hearts (PAUSE)
Lord God, our Father, our heart remains restless until it
has discovered the peace you offer us in your Son Jesus Christ. Help us to put
our trust and joy not in brittle, perishable things but in your Son, his Good
News and the kingdom he came to build among us. Make us poor and receptive, give
each of us an attentive and wise heart that keeps seeking until we have found
you in Jesus and in people, and love you and rest in you. We ask this through
Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word First
Reading Introduction: God’s Treasure Of Wisdom
Those who seek the wisdom to discriminate between right and
wrong and to do God’s will as the highest gifts are blessed by God. This was
Solomon’s experience.
Second Reading Introduction: The Holy Spirit Helps
Us In Our Weakness
Those who seek the wisdom to discriminate between right and
wrong and to do God’s will as the highest gifts are blessed by God. This was
Solomon’s experience.
Gospel Introduction: God’s Kingdom Is The Most
Precious Treasure
God’s kingdom is
worth more than anything else in the world. We should be ready to give up
everything else for its sake. General
Intercessions
The ministry entrusted to us, the Church, is to pray for
everyone and all, that they may discover the treasure of faith. Let us
say: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For all Christians, that they may hold
dear their faith and their life in Christ and keep living up to their
convictions, let us pray to the Lord: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For people everywhere, that they may
open their eyes and their hearts to the Good News of Jesus Christ, let us
pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For the leaders of nations, that as they
work for prosperity and progress they may not lose sight of what is essential,
that is: people, and the deepest human values, let us pray: R/ Lord,
hear your people.
• For those who are rich in possessions
and talents, that they may put their gifts and goods at the service of people,
let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For the sick and the poor among us, that
they may discover in the loving care of people something of the goodness of God
himself, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For our young people, that their parents
and the Church may hand on to them their living faith and the spirit to serve
God and people well, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
Lord, we thank you that in you we have found the treasure
that makes our life worthwhile. Keep us in your love, now and for ever. R/
Amen.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Lord our God, create between you and us a holy communion of
love. Come among us in Jesus Christ in this Eucharist and in daily life. Reign
in us, take possession of us to rule and forgive, to sanctify and enlighten, to
lead us and to renew us by your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/
Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, we give thanks to the Father for the treasure he
has given us in our faith and the pearl of his kingdom.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
With Jesus our Lord we pray first of all to our Father in
heaven that his kingdom come and that we may do his will.
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from our concentration on material needs
and security and make us truly concerned to seek always your will and to work
for the coming of your kingdom. Keep us free from discouragement when your
justice and truth are slow in coming, and keep alive our joyful hope that one
day we shall see the full coming among us of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose image we are called to
become. Happy are we to be invited to eat his bread of life and to share in his
glory.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, in this Eucharistic celebration you have
given us again your own Son. Let him nourish in us the growth of your kingdom. May
he open our eyes to the goodness and yet the relative value of the things of
this earth May he help us realize that our human personality and existence are
nothing else than the concrete manner in which we respond to your call and
build up your kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
At the end of this celebration perhaps the answer has become clearer what it is that really matters in our life. Where do our real and lasting joy lie? Is it in God, his kingdom, in the love and mercy he shows us in Christ? We know it is a joy for him that we are here as his people. May he be our joy and treasure too, now and always. May Almighty God bless you and be your happiness, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen. Let us go in the peace and the joy of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.
