Sign of the Cross

Greeting

Blessed be the Lord
who raises the lowly and humbles the proud.
May the Spirit of the Lord be with you all.

Introduction

In today's Gospel Jesus says to us:
'If you are invited to a party take the lowest place.'
Yet we often want to be recognized…. and acclaimed! [pause]

Jesus also says to us: 'Give to those who cannot repay you'
but we often give only to those who will return the compliment! [pause]

We know that these attitudes are unworthy of a follower of Christ,
so let us ask the Lord and the poor to forgive us. [pause]

Litany of Praise

Lord Jesus,
you are always available to the sinful and the forsaken.
Lord, have mercy.

Christ Jesus,
you invite everyone to your table.
Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,
you humble the proud and exalt the lowly.
Lord, have mercy.

Opening Prayer

Option A
God and judge of all,
you show us that the way to your kingdom
is through humility and service.
Enable us to renounce the quest for power and privilege.
Give us the reward promised to those
who make a place for the poor and the suffering.
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.

Option B
God of compassion,
to the festive assembly of the new covenant
you have invited
the poor, the sinful and the forsaken.
Let your church always honor the presence of the Lord
in the little and the lowly,
recognizing in them our sisters and brothers
whom you welcome to your table.
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

Credo

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

P        Let those who are the last and the least in the eyes of society be the
          first in our prayers to the Father. Let us say:

            Let our response be:

CM     Lord, come and save us.
           (Please repeat)

For those in society who are always left out or who have to be content with the
lowest place. We pray:

For true generosity of heart, so that we may be able to give as Christ gave,
without expecting anything in return. We pray:

That wealthy nations may not exalt themselves through military and economic
power, but humble themselves to provide for the poor and hungry. We pray:

May government officials see their office as a public trust and so serve the
people with dedication and competence. We pray:

May church leaders strive for humble service and simplicity rather than for
power and influence. We pray:

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

P   Lord of justice,
     defender of the poor and humble,
     we commend our intentions to your provident care,
     through Christ our Lord. AMEN.

Prayer over the Gifts

God of the powerless,
you overlook the poverty of our hearts
for you have given us a place of honor
at the table of your Son.
May we learn from him
to be at the service of all your people.
We ask this in the name of Christ the Lord. AMEN.

Intro to the Lord's Prayer

Aware of our own limitations,
we expect good things from God….
and so we pray with Jesus:

Deliver us Lord  

Deliver us, Lord, from all pride and greed
which sets us up against one another
and makes us unwilling to share.
In your mercy
keep us free from the evil spirit
who tempts us to seek gain and fame at the expense of others,
as we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Rite of Peace

Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your disciples:
"All who exalt themselves will be humbled,
and those who humble themselves will be exalted"
Look not on our sins,
but on the faith of your Church,
and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom,
where you live for ever and ever.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

Sign of Peace
In a spirit of humility,
and conscious of being equal in God's sight,
we offer one another a sign of Christ's peace.

Optional Prayer to accompany the ‘Breaking of Bread’

When we break this bread and share this meal
we meet Christ the Savior.
In Him,
peoples of all nations will sit down as sisters and brothers
at the banquet of the Lord.

Lamb of God

Invitation to Communion

This is the Lord
who invites us to the table which he has prepared
for the weak and the poor.
Blessed are we if we are among them,
and are seated at the lowliest places.

Lord, I am not worthy…

Prayer after Communion   

Lord God,
we have been guests at the table of your Son.
We thank you that he has accepted us
without judging or condemning us.
May we be willing to accept as friends
the poor and the weak who cannot repay us.
And we do this in the name of Christ our Lord.  AMEN.

Solemn Blessing

May God the Father,
who invites you to his heavenly kingdom,
strengthen you in his love. AMEN.

May God the Son,
from whom all good things come,
sustain you in your faith. AMEN.

May God the Holy Spirit,
who raises up those who are bowed down,
lead you to ever greater hope. AMEN.

And may almighty God bless you,
+ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. AMEN.

Dismissal     

Our celebration is ended.
Go and serve one another with humility and joy.