Greeting (See Second Reading)
Thanks to God, you have heard his message through his Son
Jesus Christ. It is God’s own message which the Church proclaims, not some
human thinking. It gives you strength when you believe it. May Jesus, God’s
living Word, be always with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
How ridiculous when someone shows you the way and then gets
lost himself! How credible is the politician who makes promises and then does
not keep them, the catechist who teaches religion and does not go to church, a
priest preaching about justice and not paying his personnel? If we want to be
trustworthy and believable, we ourselves must live as we believe, especially
those in tasks of leadership and ministries. Let us learn from Jesus, here in
this Eucharist.
Penitential Act
Let us ask forgiveness from the Lord and each other for
scandalizing others by not living up to the faith we profess. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to serve, not to be served: Lord, have
mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you yourself took up the cross before you
asked people to carry theirs after you: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ,
have mercy.
Lord Jesus, your yoke is light because you have shown us the
way: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us all our sins. Help us
to serve the Father and people with you and lead us to everlasting life. R/
Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that our life may not turn our faith into a lie (pause)
Lord God, our Father, you keep speaking your Word to us through your Son
Jesus Christ. Make us listen to that word and welcome it with all that is in
us. Let that word change our mentality and our ways, that it may direct our life
to make it a lived message of Good News for all to see, to be inspired by, and
to follow. Let it be the living power that leads all to give you praise and
glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading: Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 God’s
Messengers Who Do Not Speak God’s Word
The prophet speaks hard words against priests who do not
speak God’s Word. They mislead the people and violate the covenant. Should they
not be the first to be converted to the Word of God?
Second Reading: 1 Thes 2:7b-9,13 Paul, A Good Messenger
of the Lord
Paul displays all the qualities of a true messenger of the
Gospel. He preaches the Gospel as God’s Word, not his own, is ready to back it
up with his life, is affectionate to his people (as a mother, he says).
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12 They Do Not Practice What They Preach
Jesus warns against teachers who do not practice what they
preach: Do what they tell you, but do not follow their example. The great
danger is that we won’t ever listen to them, for they are not credible.
Intercessions
Let us pray today to the God of truth and love for
truthfulness and authenticity in the Church and in the world, and let us say:
R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For the Church, especially its leaders, that
with courage and honesty they may take to heart the task of renewal and
reconciliation, so as to become more the true face of Christ the Lord to the
world of today, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For priests and religious, that the poverty
and love of Christ and people may become visible in them and make their
teaching credible, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For politicians and civic leaders, that their
concern may not be honor and power but justice, dignity, and the unity of those
whom they honestly serve, let us pray: R/ Lord, her our prayer.
– For all who seek God with a sincere heart, for
all who search for truth and justice, that their hunger may be satisfied; for
reporters of newspapers, television and radio, that the truth may mean more to
them than sensationalism and popularity, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our
prayer.
– For all Christian communities, including ours,
that we may be truthful and reliable with one another, that our unity and
friendship may be genuine, that we may not look down on those who err or doubt,
let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
God our Father, help us to love and serve you and people in
spirit and in truth, through him who is our way to you, Jesus Christ our Lord.
R/Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father, in these signs we celebrate the memorial of
the death and resurrection of your Son. He showed us how deep and reliable was
his love for you and for us. Make our love as genuine as his, open to your
presence in each of us, capable of forgiving injuries, and always willing to
share the best of ourselves. Make this come true in our lives, that our
offering may express what is in us in spirit and in truth. We ask you this in
the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, who came among us as the servant of all, we give
thanks to the Father. R/ Our Father...
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
We have only one Father, the One in heaven. To him we pray
with Jesus. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, from false appearances
and pretences that we are better than we really are. Rip off our masks and
place on our lips words full and rich with the warmth of friendship, that among
us love may not be just a word but a gesture of hope in the coming of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord, who says: anyone who eats my flesh and
drinks my blood will live because of me. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God, who are we to boast or pretend? It is you who have
chosen us and filled us with your gifts. Even our capacity to do good comes
from your kindness. By the strength of this Eucharist make us unaffected and
humble before you and the good there is in people. May we serve you with joy in
the simplicity of our hearts and proclaim our faith with living deeds. Grant
this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
You have only one Father, the One in heaven. You have only
one Master, Jesus our Lord. Serve one another in the Spirit of truth and love. May
the living and faithful God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy
Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace, live as you believe, and serve one another. R/
Thanks be to God.
