Liturgy Guide
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

 

Sign of the Cross

Greeting
  

The words of the Lord are spirit and life.
May these words remain always with you.

Introduction and Litany of Praise

Option A
The words which Jesus addressed to his disciples are also addressed to us, "Do you also wish to go away"?. (elaborate)

Option B

In the Gospel today we read that many people left Jesus, and walked no more with him. Many still leave him. But by the grace of God we are still following him. Each Sunday Eucharist gives us an opportunity to confirm our faith in him who alone has the words of eternal life. (pause)

Lord Jesus, your words are spirit and life:
Lord, have mercy.

You are the Holy One of God:
Christ, have mercy.

You alone have the words of eternal life:
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
In every age, O God,
you give your people freedom
to walk in faith
or to turn away.
Grant us the grace
to remain faithful to your Holy One,
whose words are spirit and life,
Jesus Christ, our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever
. AMEN.

Option B
Gracious God,
in Christ, your eternal Word,
you have revealed the full depths of your love for us.
Guide this holy assembly
by the light of your Holy Spirit,
so that nothing may cause us to turn away from Jesus,
your Holy One,
who alone has the words of eternal life.
He lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever
. AMEN.

Liturgy of the Word

Homily

 

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

P       Joshua declared at Sechem: " As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." We declare by our presence here that we, too, will serve the Lord. To him let us pray for all our needs.

             With confidence we pray:

CM     Father, draw us close to you. (Please repeat)

    1. For the Church throughout the world: (pause)
      that this community of believers will always renew their commitment to the person of Jesus and the challenge of his gospel.
      We pray:
    2. For all married couples: (pause)
      that their love and care for each other will continue to grow so that they can reflect God's love for his church.
      we pray:
    3. For all who are tempted to leave the service of Christ. (pause)
      for those who work alone, and isolated from family and community; (pause)
      that the Lord will revive their zeal to serve their sisters and brothers.
      we pray:
    4. For those who have become slaves to wrong-doing,
      or who are in the grip of some compulsion or addiction; (pause)
      that they may implore the Lord to set them free:
      we pray:

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

P     Lord God, you have chosen us as your people.
       Keep us faithful to your love in freedom and trust,
       that you may be our God now and for ever.. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,
look upon the face of Christ your Son,
who gave himself up as a ransom for all.
As this bread and wine
become the food and drink of eternal life
may we become to those around us
bread of strength and wine of joy
so that we may reveal the face of Christ -
our Lord for ever and ever. AMEN.

Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer

"The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."
In the words of Jesus we pray to the Father:

Our Father ..

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and grant us peace in our day.
Through the body and blood of your Son
free us from selfishness and sin.
Give us the will to provide food for a hungry world,
as we work in joyful hope
for the final coming in glory
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Prayer for Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:
"The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.
But among you are some who do not believe."
Look not on our sins of unbelief,
but grant us peace in your kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. AMEN

Exchange of Peace
The Spirit of life has been given to us
encouraging us to offer to one another a sign of peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

P      The bread we now break is the Lord's blessed bread.
         For in partaking of this bread,
         we partake of his Spirit of life and love
         and his promise of life-everlasting.

A     LAMB OF GOD.....

Invitation to Communion

Today, no need for the usual "Lord, I am not worthy…" if the Response can be posted.
Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

Lord God,
we have listened to the words that Jesus has spoken;
they are the words of eternal life;
and we have come to believe and know
that he is the Holy One of God.
By the strength of the food he has given us
may we have the courage to follow him
and serve you, our God, for ever and ever. AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May you bless the Lord at all times;
may his praise be for ever on your lips. AMEN.

May God's presence be to you comfort, light and love. AMEN.

May God's words always give you spirit and life. AMEN.

And may the blessings of our loving God,
+ Father, Son and Spirit,
come down upon you and remain with you for ever. AMEN.

Dismissal     

In the strength of the living bread that Christ has given us,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

 
 
Related Resources
 
Daily Scripture Readings
from the United States Conference
of Catholic Bishops
   www.usccb.org
Liturgy Alive
Models of Liturgical Celebration                         
  www.bibleclaret.org
 
About the Author
Fr. Kevin McHugh
is a Columban Missionary from Ireland
who has served in the Philippines for many years.
He has devoted much of his time and efforts to make the liturgical participation
come alive in our Christian communities.

For inquiries, you can email Fr Kevin at
mchughkaymac1@gmail.com

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