Greeting (See Second Reading)
There is only Christ: he is everything and he is in everything. He has brought us back to true life. May his grace and peace be with you. R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
What are we living for?
What do we consider most important in life? The message of today confronts us with this question. And it is basic for our Christian living. Are there more important things for us than money, goods and power? Do we find love of God and neighbor, friendship and affection and concern for each other greater and lasting and worthy of living for? What is the answer we give Jesus today?
What Brings Us Happiness That Lasts?
We all need the things that are necessary for life, but our human experience keeps reminding us again and again of what Jesus told us in the gospel long ago: accumulating riches does not bring happiness! The joy of living does not depend on full granaries or fat bank accounts. The quality of life and its joy depend rather on how much we love the Lord and one another and on how far we can share what we have. That is how we become rich in the sight of God. In this Eucharist we ask our Lord that he bring us joy and happiness along with his friendship.
Penitential Act
What Are We Living for?
With empty hands and hearts we stand before the Lord and ask him to forgive and heal us. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you were born in poverty. When we look too much for a life of comfort, Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you had no stone on which to let your head rest. When we put our security in the things we have, Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, your concern was God’s honor and the joy of people. When we fail to share with those in need, Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us our greed and our overconcern for material things
Make us generous in sharing and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
What Brings us Happiness That Lasts?
Too often we have put our happiness and life in things that are very perishable. Let us ask the Lord to forgive us. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you are our life and you want us to live for values that last: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you are rich in mercy and you want us to be rich in forgiveness and love: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you brought us freedom and you want us to be free from greed and free for God and people: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and free us from the slavery of sin. Make us put our trust in you and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that we may use this earth’s goods wisely in the service of God and people (pause)
Father, you care, and so in you we trust. Our hearts are divided, yet we have to provide care and security to those we love. Do not allow greed to blind us so as to pile up goods we do not need and things that do not really matter. Make us generous sharers of what we have with the hungry and the poor, that we may become rich in your sight. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading (Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23): What Will Remain in the End?
The author of the first reading speaks from sad experience: possessions and human endeavors alone do not guarantee happiness. He does not give a solution, but poses the problem very poignantly.
1 Reading: Ecc 1:2; 2:21-23
Second Reading (Col 3:1-5,9-11): Aim High!
The sense of life and our true values, says St. Paul, lie beyond this life on earth, for we have become new in Christ; Christ is our everything.
2 Reading: Col 3:1-5, 9-11
Gospel (Lk 12:13-21): Our Riches Is God
Our riches are to be found in God; possessions give us no security, for only God can give lasting happiness.
Gospel: Lk 12:13-21
Intercessions
Let us pray now to God, the origin and final end of our riches, happiness and joy, and let us say: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– For a poor and serving Church in which people try to have open hands and open hearts for all, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– For more justice and equality in our world; for effective political, social and economic reforms that allow people to enjoy the fruits of their work, material and spiritual goods, and the treasures of education and culture, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– For poets, artists and scientists, that they may help us to admire and enjoy the power and beauty of God’s creation and to give praise to God, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– For those who are rich and powerful, that they may learn to share; for the poor, the humble, the exploited, that they may find help and keep hoping, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
– For all of us, that we may learn to enjoy the things of life: friendship and affection, unity and compassion, people who inspire us and even learn to love our enemies, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come.
Lord our God, keep us attentive to the brittleness of all things we attach ourselves to. Make us share our goods and talents and keep us trusting in you, our riches and our hope, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God, from your own gifts to us we bring bread and wine before you. Let them become the signs in which Jesus gives himself to us. May we learn from him to use your gifts and our efforts in the service of you and our neighbor, that they may lead us to happiness that lasts for ever and ever. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
God has made us not the owners but the stewards of his creation. Let us thank him for his goodness and offer everything to him through Jesus.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
With Jesus our Lord we pray to our Father in heaven for the things we need on the way to him: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil and set us free from all attachments that keep us from giving ourselves to you and to people. Help us to live in your hands,
as we prepare in joyful hope for the coming in glory of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus our Lord, who became poor to make us rich in grace and wisdom and love. Happy are we to receive him as the Father’s free gift. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God, giver of all good gifts,
we have received your Son from you.
You want us to enjoy life's good things
At the same time, we should not let them become our masters.
Give us enough faith, Lord,
to see that, no matter how much we have,
We are still poor if you are not our riches,
and that we are wealthy, even in poverty,
When we have you and your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
It was good to reflect together on the relative value of the things we have. Yes, let us enjoy without scruple the simple, God-given things of everyday life. But let us always remain free, as we are liberated by Jesus our Lord; we are never again to be enslaved to anyone or to anything. And let us share with one another our friendship, our joys, our goods, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let us go in the peace and security of Christ. R/ Thanks be to God.
***
Commentary
True Home and Destiny
Read:
The book of Ecclesiastes laments the meaninglessness and irony of human life. Paul asks Colossians to set one’s mind on the things from above. Jesus relativizes earthly riches and invites us to seek to be wealthy in the eyes of God.
Reflect:
In the 1989 movie Dead Poets Society, John Keating, the new English teacher, leads his students towards a group photo of senior alumni (who are all now dead), displayed prominently in the school. Referring to them, Keating observes: “The world was their oyster. They believed they were destined for greatness…. But these boys are now fertilizing daffodils.” Shocking imagery, but so very true! How we obsess about many material achievements in life, as if we would live forever! We live as if death happens to someone else, and not to us! Once a woman in her late 80s came to me to discuss her end-of-life decisions. While speaking, she repeatedly used the phrase, “if I die…” I gently said to her: “Perhaps you might want to say, ‘when I die.’” She stood stunned for a moment and then broke into a smile of recognition.
Pray:
Pray for a clear awareness about our true home and destiny.
Act:
Spend some time in a cemetery, meditating on the fragility of life.
