Twelfth Sunday Ordinary Time

focus of the day:

   
Proclaim the gospel with
boldness and conviction.

DON'T FEAR!

     We gather to hear stories from the scriptures that are concerned with social relations about power, goods and access. But the issue is not finally socio-economic or political. It is the theology of the power-for-life versus a "culture of death."
     The struggle between these opposing forces, for our life, loyalty and imagination has had some decisive turns in our favour - but the battle is not yet finally and fully resolved.

Leader:

In today's gospel, Jesus warns those who are sent will be persecuted. But there are compensations that outweigh the hardships of persecution!

Voice 1:

We fail the grieve
the hurt and loss
suffered by many
of our sisters and brothers.
Without voicing the grief
there can be no awareness.
Lord, have mercy:

ALL:

Voice 2:

Silent pressures
bully us to shut up
about speaking the good news.
Christ, have mercy:

ALL:

Voice 3:

We put our security before faith
and law above love;
and seek to be free
from the doubts and risk-taking
that following Jesus requires.
Lord, have mercy:

ALL:

Leader:

May the God of mercy
forgive us our sins
and help us
in our loving and believing;
doubting and risk-taking.
May we be faithful
to the good news
that Jesus announced.

ALL:

 

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leader:

Friends, let us pray
[ that we may grow
in the love of God and our neighbour. ]
( Pause for silent prayer:... )
God of the universe,
we worship You as LORD.
God ever close to us,
we rejoice to call you, Father.
From this world's uncertainty
we look to Your covenant.
Keeep us one in YOur peace,
secure in Your love.
We make this prayer
in Jesus' name.

ALL:

 

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the first reading:

Commentator:

[ an introduction ]

Jeremiah feels ambivalent about his calling to be the prophet of YHWH. On one hand, he is attracted by and consents to YHWH's alluring invitation. On the other hand, he senses being over-whelmed by YHWH's power.

Reader 1:

the response:

ALL:

the second reading:

Commentator:

[ an introduction ]

The relationship between sin and grace dominates Paul's letter. The Greek word for "sin" [hamartia] originally meant, "falling short of the target" but Paul uses the word to mean a personalised power-for-death that has all humankind in it's thrall.

Reader 2:

the Gospel:

Commentator:

[ an introduction ]

The evangelist remembers the teaching of Jesus for disciples who suffer persecution. They should not be afraid because God is in control and God's reigning will surely be!

Reader 3:

 


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[ The intercessions have the following outline:

[ SAMPLE PRAYERS ]

Leader:

Jesus comes among us.
We remember His words
about our need to always pray.
United in one heart and mind,
let us pray with confidence
to God-with-us;
for our world and its needs:...

1:

For those who serve the church.
That the gift of deep delight
in God's reigning
will comfort them
in the face of difficulites.
God of delight, hear us:

ALL:

2:

For rulers of nations and communities.
That the saving wisdom of God
will shape thier thoughts
and actions for peace.
God of peace, hear us:

ALL:

3:

For those who suffer oppresssion.
That the tender compassion of God
may renew their hope in God's promises.
God of hope, hear us:

ALL:

4:

For the sick.
That the abundant healing of God
will raise them to wholeness
of mind and body.
God of healing, hear us:

ALL:

5:

For us gathered here.
That the infinite power of God
will sustain us in the way
of Jesus' commands.
God of love, hear us:

ALL:

Leader:

Let us pray,
in the silence of our hearts
for our own personal intentions:...
( Pause in silent prayer:... )
God of goodness, hear us:

ALL:

Leader:

Holy and glorious God,
our needs are great,
but Your love for us
and for all people
is far greater.
Hear and answer the prayers
we make to You today,
in the name of Your Risen Son
and our brother, Jesus.

ALL:

 

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[ A brief reflection which links the liturgy of the Word with the liturgy of the Eucharist. It seeks to clarify the significance of these texts for life beyond the liturgical assembly. Hearing of the Word of God when the scriptures are read & experiencing the Presence of God in the action of the Eucharistic Prayer, reinforces the unity of the "good news" for the practise of discipleship. ]

     The dominant values of our culture are not adequate to generate the life for which we yearn. Our dominant culture lacks the life-giving power to which we maust have access if we are to live fully human lives. But the liturgical texts announce the victory of the God of life is re-enacted here and now!
But appropriating the victory does not follow easily or automatically from the announcing of good news and its liturgical re-enactment.
Discipleship is difficult, costly and demanding.
     In the face of resilient evil, distortion and alienation, the work of sharing "good news" is to be done afresh. In Matthew's time, the issue was the victory of God over deadening power of legalistic Phariseeism. Jesus had earlier replaced the exclusive authoritarian legalism of the Temple establishment with His offer of a radical forgiveness. He called for the cancellation of all debts and inaugurated an inclusive, alternative community.
Matthew, in late first-century Palestine, had to re-tell the story of Jesus' victory. Revived Phariseeism threatened the Christian community from outside. From withinn, the community was threatened by new authoritarian tendencies among its leaders.
     In the thick of our modern struggle about the shape, control and future of our world, we hear again about the real power-for-life. It is a source of power from outside ourselves. And it is disposed in our favour!
     Each re-enactment of this dramatic hearing is urgent, dangerous and costly! Jesus warns disciples not to be intimidated in undertaking the task. He moscks attempts to bury truth. He doesn't leave silence unchallenged. He won't have His followers bullied by silent pressures to shut up about the good news. Jesus says that being scared is beneath our dignity as a disciple! He insists on loyalty - so that even if our lives depended on it, we would nbot give out compromising news about Him (cf Mt.10:28,39).

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Leader:

Father of life and goodness,
You give us the Body and Blood of Your Son,
to renew Your life within us.
In Your mercy
assure our redemption
and bring us to the lasting life
we celebrate in this eucharist.
We make this prayer in His name.

ALL:

the blessing:

Leader:

[ SAMPLE ]

We are sent;

In the name of the God,
   Promiser of Life in our history;
In the name of Jesus,
   Restorer of Life
when it had been lost;
In the name of the holy Spirit,
   Promies-keeper of Life today.

to witness without fear,
the story of God's reigning
until we gather again.

ALL:

Leader:

Let us go and live the Mass.

ALL: