AD SENSE

14th Sunday C: Liturgical Prayers

 Greetings (See Second Reading)

Peace and mercy to all
who become new in Christ.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
R/ And also with you.


Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Disciples Must Be Missionaries
How many people belong to our Church? Catholics number less than 18% of the world population. Yet Luke says what Jesus tells us today: "The harvest is rich but there are few laborers. Pray to the Lord to send us harvesters." And then, whom does Jesus send? Not just the leaders, but the disciples too. And where are they sent? To all nations and to all peoples, for they are seventy-two, as many as there were peoples known in those days. And how are they sent? In all humility receiving the people's hospitality and kindness and proclaiming to them the Kingdom of God. Let us ask Jesus to make us suitable messengers.

B. Without Means of Power
When Jesus sends out his disciples, they are not sent with powerful means to impress people or to buy their allegiance. No force, no money, not even people who are influential, renowned, and learned. Just simple disciples, ordinary people. They have to go out with no other riches than the Good News of Jesus, his message of joy to the poor. They also should not be choosy to whom they go: in all simplicity they present themselves to anyone willing to listen, depending on the goodwill of people and their hospitality. Let us become missionaries of Jesus by the way we live.

Penitential Act
We are messengers of Jesus.
Does the way we live make him known and loved?
Let us examine ourselves before the Lord.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, you send us out
to heal those sick in any way
and to announce the kingdom of God:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you tell us
to go to people very discreetly
and to accept what they offer us:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you assure us
that nothing will hurt us
and that our names are written in heaven.
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Give us the enthusiasm to make you known,
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer
Let us pray
that our life may proclaim the Gospel
(pause)
Our God of peace and joy,
you want all people to live
in your covenant of peace and mercy.
Keep calling your whole Church
and everyone of us
to bring to the world a message of peace
and of restored love and justice.
Disarm us of our fears, and send us
by the power of your Spirit,
so that all may recognize and accept
our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ,
now and for ever. R/ Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction: A River Of Peace
      
In times of war and trials, a prophet says boldly: "God is our mother who will give us peace."

Second Reading Introduction: We Must Become New In Christ
      
Even when we have to suffer, like the Lord, we can have peace, if we try to become new and better in Christ.

Gospel Introduction: Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
      Jesus sends his disciples into the world to bring to all those willing to listen to the message of God's peace. Those who welcome this message will have peace.

General Intercessions
Since we are his disciples, Jesus sends us out to share his message of peace and joy. Let us bring before him the desire of all people for peace and hope and let us say: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That the pastors and lay people in the Church may untiringly an-nounce the Good News as the source of happiness and peace for all, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That the leaders of nations may give up the senseless race for arms, and set aside pride and hunger for power to seek genuine and lasting peace, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That we may find peace within ourselves, learn to accept ourselves and seek the justice and peace of God's kingdom, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That peoples, races, and cultures may rejoice in one another's riches and give, even to the least, access to work, material and spiritual goods, and human dignity, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• That in our homes and communities we may bring the peace of understanding and compassion to the sick, the handicapped and the neglected, and that we may do so in a spirit of love and service, let us pray: R/ Listen to your people, Lord.
Lord Jesus Christ, makes us lovers and sharers of your Good News, for you are our peace and hope, now and for ever. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
let your Son break for us
his bread of peace
and pour for us his wine of joy.
Let him go with us
to speak words that bring peace
and to have the courage
to seek the peace of justice,
forgiveness and hope,
today and every day, for ever. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus we now praise and thank the Father for having saved us by his Son's death and resurrection. As his disciples may we work faithfully to bring all into God's kingdom.

Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
As disciples concerned about God's kingdom,
we pray to our Father in heaven
that this kingdom may come to all people. R/ Our Father...

Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil
and grant us your peace in our day.
Free us from all self-complacency
that encloses us within ourselves.
Help us to share the joy and hope
of the good news of the Gospel
with all people eager for it
and also with those who are indifferent to it
because they do not know its riches.
May we all work together
for the coming among us
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...

Invitation to Communion
This is the Lord who says:
"Come to me, all you who are weary
and find life hard to bear,
for I will refresh you."
Come, let us taste and see
the goodness of the Lord:
R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion
Our God and Father,
you have broken for us
the one bread of your Son
and poured for us the wine of his one cup.
May we all be and remain
the one body of Christ,
in unity, love, and peace,
Send us to bring your peace to all,
as lovers and instruments of your peace.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Blessing
The message of today
should stir the People of God
—all and each of us—
to become a missionary Church,
open to all, reaching out to all,
because only Christ and his Gospel
can bring real joy and true peace.
We are all part of that Church
and so our task is to make visible
that Christ is alive among us.
May Almighty God bless you for this mission:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in the peace of Christ
and share that peace with all. R/ Thanks be to God.