Suggestions for next Sunday’s Liturgy

John McKinnon now has an audio/visual commentary on the readings for each Sunday in his web page:  http://www.johnmckinnon.org/

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time c   23 June 2013

 

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.

 

Facing a related reality, we can ask: what is the inspiration of God saying to us through the scriptural word we have just heard. In silent reflection, in sharing of thoughts we can ask: what might God be revealing to us here and now, prompted by the proclaimed Word in the Liturgy.


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.

 

 

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time  ::  23 June 2013

 

Gospel: Luke 9: 18 – 24

 

A Focus Point or theme in today’s Liturgy:  

 

Who is Jesus Christ for us?  for others?

 

A phrase from today’s Liturgy for prayerful pondering:

 

Jesus, how do I spend my life for your sake?

 

Related Reality:  

 

Are people reluctant to talk about the purpose of life, or the meaning of the word “God”, or the place Jesus Christ has in their lives?

 

Are we interested in each other’s answers?

 

Headings for the Sharing of Reflections. .

 

Who is Jesus Christ for me?

What sayings of Jesus do I remember?

In what ways do I agree with them?

 

What can we do in response to the message in the Liturgy?

 

We can clarify the convictions we have about Jesus Christ and the significance he has for our living.

 

Points  in  the  Readings

 

Very rarely do we hear from the prophet Zechariah in the Liturgy, as we do this Sunday, when the prophet says in the first reading: They will look on the one they have pierced.

 

The psalm is a prayer of confidence in God.

 

The second reading, from Paul’s letter to the Galatians, contains the now famous declaration: There are no more distinctions between Jew and Greek, slave and free, male and female, but all are one in Christ Jesus.

 

We, like Peter as described in today’s gospel, acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. This faith makes demands on the way we live.

 

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.

 

Before the Liturgy begins

 

Who is Jesus Christ for us?  for others?

 

Related Reality:  

 

Are people reluctant to talk about the purpose of life, or the meaning of the word “God”, or the place Jesus Christ has in their lives?

 

Are we interested in each other’s answers?

 

During the sharing of Reflections or homily

 

Who is Jesus Christ for me?

What sayings of Jesus do I remember?

In what ways do I agree with them?

 

What can we do in response to the message in the Liturgy?

 

We can clarify the convictions we have about Jesus Christ and the significance he has for our living.

 

After the proclamation of the scriptures

 

Some more thoughts on the Gospel

 

Following the way of Jesus Christ is not always easy in a world that often places much value on a different vision.

 

Invite the congregation to talk about the difficulty of being a Catholic/Christian in today’s world. Perhaps ask some questions to probe into the essence of such difficulties: Why is it difficult? How do we feel as we face such difficulties? How is it that we as Catholic/Christians have different priorities from many other people? Or, how is it that they have different priorities and different attitudes to what constitutes a good, enjoyable and purposeful life.

 

For Jesus, being the Christ was not a dignity to be claimed but a mission to be fulfilled. So it is for us, being a Catholic/Christian is not a privilege to brag about, but a purpose in life to be fulfilled. It entails carrying our cross (and everybody has a cross) in a particular, positive way. It means seeing ourselves within the community realm of God’s wonder, beauty, life, freedom and love, rather than as self-indulgent individuals.

 

As always, encourage the congregation to exchange reflections on insights gained from the gospel, and also to mention applications of these insights in our day-to-day living.

 

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 Readings.

 

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 Readings.

 

Other very useful background scriptural resources can be found at:

http://catholic-resources.org/

 

Prayer  of  the  Faithful

or

General Intercessions

 

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 Cana, as described in the gospel according to John: 2: 1 – 10. 

 

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.

 

 

Suggested  Text  for  a  Prayer  of  the  Faithful

 

General Intercessions

 

 

Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time  ::  23 June 2013

 

Leader:            We trust in God who is interested in us

and who cares for us.

So we call to mind our concerns in prayer.

                                     

Reader:          Many people in the world

are deprived of basic necessities for a decent life –

things like sufficient nourishing food,

clean water, good education and security.

We pray.  (10 second pause for silent prayer)       Lord, hear us.      

(R:  Lord, hear our prayer.)

 

Winter conditions can be particularly difficult

for poor people and for the frail and elderly.

We pray.  (10 second pause for silent prayer)       Lord, hear us.      

(R:  Lord, hear our prayer.)

 

With humility and grace

the church community

has to exemplify and communicate

the vision of Jesus Christ.

We pray.  (10 second pause for silent prayer)       Lord, hear us.      

(R:  Lord, hear our prayer.)

 

We are called to support each other

as we bear the burdens of life.

We pray.  (10 second pause for silent prayer)       Lord, hear us.      

(R:  Lord, hear our prayer.)

 

 

                        Local or personal issues.

 

Add alternative or other intentions.

 

 

Leader:            God of all goodness,

you invite us to imitate your Son Jesus Christ

in the way we face up to challenges

in our day-to-day living.

May the teaching and inspiration of Jesus

guide our decision-making and our actions

now and always.      Amen.

 

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

for the way Jesus fulfilled his mission

as saviour of the world,

and we rejoice in being invited

to share in that mission.

Introducing  the  Concluding  Rite

or “Dismissal”

with a “missioning” statement

 

With Christian confidence,

but with humility and grace,

may we be able to share with others

some of the advantages

of living within a Christian vision of the purpose of life.

 

Free Clipart for each Sunday available at: http://www.servicioskoinonia.org/cerezo/indexBgraf.html

Other material for liturgy, including more clipart: www.textweek.com

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