Sign of the Cross

Greeting  [from 2nd Reading]

May the grace and peace of God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A
We give God something that we do not give to any earthly ruler; to God alone do we give worship. And that is precisely why we are gathered here - to worship God, Creator of the universe and Lord of all. Sadly, in practice, we don't always put God first in our lives. [Pause].

Option B
Church and State must respect each other without trying to control each other. A good Christian must also be a good citizen and be responsible to the human community.
So, let us give to the State what belongs to the State and to God what belongs to God. [Pause]


Option A & B

"Give to the Lord the glory due God's name!"
We often take God's blessing and wonders for granted:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

"Give to the emperor what is the emperor's"
Frequently we fail in our duties as citizens
and cheat on our payment of taxes:
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

"Give to God the things that are God's"
Often our lives do not give witness
to the wonders of God's love:
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
O God, whose image we bear
and whose name we carry,
yours is the world and all it contains.

Recall us to our true allegiance,
so that above the powers and rulers of this world
you alone may claim our fullest loyalty and love.

We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Option B
You alone, O God, are Lord,
and there is no other.
Formed in your image,
we bear the imprint of your face
and your Name is engraved on our hearts.

In a world loyal to other powers,
let our lifestyle be governed by the standard of the gospel.

As we render to others the freedom of conscience that is their right,
we may freely render to you the allegiance you alone deserve.

We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

P       In our weakness and need,
         we turn in prayer to God the Father,
         who, as the source of all worldly power and authority,
         must be served and obeyed:

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Lord, let all nations praise you. (Please repeat)

1. May Christian families become effective agents of evangelization by being witnesses to the Gospel in their homes and being active in parish life.
   We pray:
   
2. May all civil and political leaders "give to God what belongs to God" by witnessing to the supremacy of God over all things in their personal and public lives.
   We pray:
   
3. For all of us citizens: may we have a strong sense of civic responsibility and actively promote the common welfare. We pray:
   We pray:
4. That greater cooperation between Church and state may promote a strong moral backbone within our _____country____________ society. We pray:
   We pray:

[The Presider may add a Petition that is local / relevant]

P     Heavenly Father, everything we are and have is yours.
       Renew us in your love
       so that we may serve you with humility and generosity.
       We make our prayers through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord, look upon the face of Christ your Son,
who gave himself up as a ransom for all,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
your name may be great among the nations
and one sacrifice may be offered to your glory.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

Let us give to God what belongs to God.
So, united with Jesus we pray the prayer he taught us:
Our Father ...

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
especially from sin - the greatest of all evils.
Keep us free from judging and condemning:
help us to accept and respect each other
as we prepare in patience and in hope
for the coming among us of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said:
"Give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's,
and to God the things that are God's."
Help us to render to our God all that is due to god
so that we can enjoy the peace and unity of your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
As children of the God of peace,
let us offer one another a sign of reconciliation and peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      Jesus said:
        "My flesh is true food
        and my blood is true drink.
        Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood
        abide in me and I in them". (John 6:54-56)
A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion (based on 1st Reading)

Jesus is Lord, and there is no other:
He calls each of us by name
and invites us to receive him at this altar-table

Prayer after Communion 

Lord God,
let our sharing at this table make us holy
and grant that through your Church -
the sacrament of your love,
all nations may receive with joy
the salvation gained on the cross by your only Son.
We ask this with full conviction
and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May you always show your faith in action. AMEN.

May you always regard your work as a labor of love. AMEN

May you persevere in your hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN.

And may the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
+ bless you now and forever. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Option A
Sent to proclaim God's kingdom with power
and to serve others with humility,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Option B
Go in peace
and bear witness in your everyday life
to the values of the Gospel.
Thanks be to God.