Suggestions
for next Sunday’s Liturgy
24 August 2008
These suggestions are intended mainly for those who prepare and lead
Sunday Liturgy in small communities in the absence of a priest. This situation
is occurring more often because of the decreasing number of priests.
If such small local communities have ready access to helpful and
relevant liturgical resources, so much the better. When such resources are not
available, or if they are not sufficient or too difficult to follow in a small
and perhaps remote community, then these suggestions might be particularly
helpful.
Before introducing a change in procedure in the
liturgical pattern followed by a community, before the liturgy starts, it is
advisable to offer some explanation. Explanations and directives given during
the liturgy can spoil the flow and prayerful mood of the liturgy.
Sometimes it is easier to see the gospel
truth in a reflection than in the gospel text itself. Sometimes it is easier to
hear it in something that is an echo of the gospel word than in the gospel text
itself. Having seen the message reflected in a life-situation that is familiar
to us, we can proceed to better appreciate the message in the gospel itself.
That is one reason why it is good to use stories in drawing attention to the
message of the gospel. It is good to ask: where is the echo of the scriptural
Word we read today in the world around us now?
Because it is often easier, and more realistic, for us to enter into the
Word through its echo.
An appropriate story or recounted experience or observation, with the connected
emotions, not only catches people’s attention, it can also illustrate the
message in a relevant way and lead them to consider, with fresh minds, the
deeper wisdom of the scriptural message.
A Suggested Procedure in the Liturgy
1. Announce
the action, or event, or situation or question that will be the background
theme of the day’s Liturgy.
2. In the
reflection following the readings, begin with the announced action or event or
situation or question, discuss it briefly, then refer to sentences or themes or
thoughts in the readings which throw light on the action, event, or situation
or question. In particular, try to discern what might be in the mind and heart
of Jesus as the matter is discussed. Invite the Spirit of Jesus to help in this
endeavour. Perhaps have a brief period of silence in the course of the
reflection to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire us.
3. At the
conclusion of the Liturgy, as a part of the Dismissal-“Missioning”
rite, refer again to the reality of the background theme in the day’s
Liturgy and call for suggestions indicating action on the issue that the
participants might undertake during the week.
Twenty
first Sunday in Ordinary Time :: 24
August 2008
Gospel: Matthew: 16: 13 – 20
A Focus
Point or theme in today’s Liturgy:
Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Peter?
An
Introductory question related to a theme in today’s Liturgy:
What
are some examples of nick-names?
Jesus
gave Simon a new name – “Peter”, meaning “Rock”.
A phrase from today’s Liturgy for prayerful pondering:
To God be glory for ever. Amen.
Related Reality: The significance of nick-names.
What can we do in response to the
message in the Liturgy?
The answer to this should come from the
sharing of reflections after the gospel, but be prepared to offer some
suggestions. Encourage and participate in a discernment process within the
local, diocesan, or universal church.
Points in
the
The first
reading introduces the image of a key as indicative of authority and
leadership. This image will also occur in the gospel, applied to Peter the
leader of the apostles.
The psalm
is a prayer of thanks and praise, as is the second reading.
Today’s
gospel is linked with that for next Sunday: both feature St Peter. In
today’s gospel Jesus says to Peter: “On this rock I will build my
Church.” A few verses later, as given in next Sunday’s gospel,
Jesus says to Peter: “Get behind me Satan.”
Introduction
to the Liturgy
If you are
using a data projector to help with the Liturgy and with the reflection on the
proclaimed Word, you might consider using the following frames.
1. Before
the Liturgy begins
A Theme in Today’s
Liturgy: Who is Jesus Christ? Who is Peter?
2. During
the sharing of Reflections or homily
What
are some examples of nick-names?
Jesus
gave Simon a new name – “Peter”, meaning “Rock”.
Foundation
rock.
Peter
with keys – binding and loosing
Interpreting
and adapting the teaching of Jesus in a changing world.
After the proclamation of the
scriptures
Some more thoughts on the Gospel
We all
know people who have been given a nickname which has stuck and become the
person’s most commonly used name, at least by those who know the person well.
Perhaps the best known international example at the present time is Tiger
Woods.
Sometimes,
in a metaphorical way, a nickname is descriptive of a person: that is the case
with Simon – Peter – Rock.
In giving
a down-to-earth introduction to a reflection on the gospel, the facilitator
might give an example of a nicknamed person in the area, or give the example of
Tiger Woods, and ask the congregation to share other examples they are aware
of. Some of the nicknames could be humorous; avoid giving attention to those
that could be hurtful.
Explain
that something similar happened with Peter and Jesus. Peter, whose first name
was Simon, was given the name Peter = Rock by Jesus as an indication of the
role he was to have amongst the other apostles and in the Church.
What
significance might the name Peter-Rock have for the Catholic Church, and all
the
The
“binding & loosing” statement of Jesus probably refers to the
ministry of the successors of Peter as interpreting and adapting the teaching
of Jesus in a changing world. In our time, especially with improved levels of
education for a great number of people and with extraordinary means of modern
communication, it is possible for many people to participate in a discernment
process, coordinated by the church leadership. The Catholic Church community is
still at the stage of learning how to do this well. People might offer examples
of successes or failures in this regard.
For good, well-informed, easy-to-read, briefly-stated
information about the scripture texts
go to the Center for Liturgy: http://liturgy.slu.edu/
choose the Sunday date
and click on Information about the
Other very useful background scriptural resources can be found
at:
http://catholic-resources.org/
Another good, Australian, website offers suggestions for Sunday lay
led Liturgy:
http://www.vincentians.org.au/vinlayliturgy.htm
If you decide to follow the pattern of
the Prayer of the Faithful suggested in these notes, it is important to explain
the change to the congregation beforehand. The reader of the petitions needs to
be especially careful to allow, what might seem like a very extended time (10
full seconds) to him/her, for silent prayer before declaring “Lord, hear
us” to conclude the petition.
In
explaining the change it is appropriate not only to describe the changed
procedure: a reason for the change can also be given, such as the following.
A good
model of petitionary prayer is the example of Mary as indicated in the story of
the wedding feast at
Mary
simply stated the problem to Jesus: “They have no wine”. She did
not point out what Jesus might or should do; she did not ask for a particular
favour. But she did say to the waiters: “Do whatever he tells you”.
Like
Mary, in our prayer of petition we can simply state the problem, or the issue
that is of concern to us, and leave time for silent prayer. The prayer happens
in the silence. The prayer of all those present is then gathered together in
the community response to the invocation: “Lord, hear us” …
“Lord, hear our prayer”. Hopefully, as a result of our prayer we
might be inspired to discern what Jesus is calling us to do in the situation.
For further information on the Prayer of the Faithful see
articles in the
Index.
General Intercessions
Twenty
first Sunday in Ordinary Time :: 24 August 2008
Leader: The wisdom,
knowledge and love of God
surpasses
anything we can imagine.
So we
spend time in quiet prayer
as we
consider the challenges that face us.
Reader: Pope Benedict makes great efforts
to
take the gospel to the world.
We
pray. (10 second pause
for silent prayer) Lord, hear
us.
(R: Lord, hear our prayer.)
The Catholic church always needs unifying and secure leadership.
We
pray. (10 second pause
for silent prayer) Lord, hear
us.
(R: Lord, hear our prayer.)
Our
Christian spirituality grows
as we
deepen our reflection on the question:
“who
is Jesus for me?”
We
pray. (10 second pause
for silent prayer) Lord, hear
us.
(R: Lord, hear our prayer.)
Many
people in the world
are
suffering
as a
result of changes in the weather systems.
We
pray. (10 second pause
for silent prayer) Lord, hear
us.
(R: Lord, hear our prayer.)
Local
or personal issues.
Leader: God of all wisdom and knowledge,
it
is not for us to try to tell you what to do.
Just
as Jesus always did your will
so
may we be inspired by your Spirit
to
respond to the events and callings of life in a positive way,
through
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Thanksgiving Intentions
The Prayer of the Faithful is a prayer of
intercession or petition – a time to consider our needs and the needs of
others, and pray. It is inappropriate to include reasons for thanksgiving into
the Intercessory Prayers – the Prayer of the Faithful. To do so is to
confuse the rite (and the people present at the Liturgy).
Especially when we gather as a community on Sunday,
prayer of thanksgiving should be a feature of our community prayer.
This is the case when the Eucharist is celebrated:
Eucharist means Thanksgiving. In the Mass the
Eucharistic Prayer is basically prayer of thanks and praise.
In the absence of a priest a community can’t
celebrate the Mass: there is no Eucharistic Prayer. Nevertheless, in the
prayers provided for lay led Liturgy, there is often a Prayer of Thanksgiving
before the Lord’s Prayer (and Communion).
To make this Prayer of Thanksgiving (and even the
Eucharistic Prayer at Mass) more precise and relevant, particular reasons for
thanksgiving could be mentioned in introducing the prayer. It would be simple
and easy to do. Thanksgiving intentions probably fit in best at the end of the
introductory dialogue just before the beginning of the “Preface” or
its equivalent prayer of thanks and praise.
A thanksgiving intention: We give thanks
because we have been named
the People of God.
After the announcements,
arrangements and general business
Introducing the
Concluding Rite
or
“Dismissal”
with
a “missioning” statement
Having been called by God
to share God’s gifts of life, love and peace,
we are now sent into the world with these gifts for others.
Free Clipart for each Sunday
available at: http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/indexBgraf.html
Other
material for liturgy, including more clipart: www.textweek.com