Greeting The Lord Jesus, the light of the world, gathers us together. May our faces reflect his light and may he always be with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
What is striking in today’s message is how much trust Christ puts in us, perhaps more than we do in him. He entrusts to us the mission of being his light shining in the world, the salt that preserves and spices the world with the aroma of the Gospel, the mission of being a city of light that attracts people to the Lord. What a responsibility! Today, let us ask Jesus to kindle his light in us.
Penitential Act
How little the light of Christ has shone in us! Let us seek the Lord’s pardon. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you are the true light that enlightens all people: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you said of yourself: I am the light of the world; anyone who follows me will have the light of life: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you tell us: You are the light of the world. Your light must shine in people’s sight: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Lord, let the light of your mercy take away from us the darkness of sin. Give us the light of life and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that we may do the good works that lead people to God (pause)
Loving Father, we are important to you, for you keep entrusting to us the mission of making your name and your love known. Strengthen us in our weakness, make us savor the message of the Gospel, that in the footsteps of your Son Jesus we may bring your light and taste to the world and carry out this task with great joy. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading Introduction:
Let Your Light Shine On All People
The prophet tells us today: God will be near to you and you will shine with his light if you are near to the needy around you.
Second Reading Introduction:
I Bear Witness To The Crucified Christ
St Paul reflects on his mission: it is not by philos-ophizing and making speeches that I preach Christ but by bearing witness to the crucified Lord.
Gospel Introduction:
Salt And Light Of The World
According to Jesus, our task in the world is to live according to the Gospel, so that God’s light can shine in the world.
General Intercessions
Let us now pray to the Father of light that we may truly become the salt and the light of the world.
Let us say: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us.
• That there may be more love on earth, Lord, we ask you to dispose people to be more understanding and friendlier to one another and to share more readily with those in need, we pray: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us.
• That there may be greater justice on earth, dispose governments and public officials to make room in their priorities and budgets for the socially deprived and those out of jobs, we pray: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us.
• That there may be more peace on earth, dispose all nations to put an end to words of hatred and threats of revenge, we pray: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us.
• That there may be more joy on earth, dispose all those who follow your Son to show sympathy and affection to one another, to be faithful in our friendships and concerned about our communities, we pray: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us. • That there may be more faith on earth, dispose all your sons and daughters to live as children of light before you and in the sight of people, we pray: R/ Lord, let your light shine in us. Lord God, we pray that your light may shine on all the earth. However limited we are, let our words and actions reflect the light of your love, in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen. Prayer over the Gifts
Our God and Father, your Son Jesus gives himself to us in these signs of bread and wine as our tasty food and our drink of joy. By the power that is in him, help us to bear witness that life is meaningful and worth living. Make us people-for-others with Jesus, that our sense of justice and sharing may give a taste for life and love to those around us, that they may see that your Son is here with us, now and for ever.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
Let us give thanks to the Father in heaven that he has let the light of Jesus shine in us so that we too can become lights to the people around us.
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
Aware that we are dependent on God, we pray the trusting prayer of his own Son, Jesus.
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil and set us free from the fear of letting the light of your Son shine in the darkness of the world. However dim and wavering, may our timid lights shine, until you let us encounter for ever the true light of earth and heaven, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord. He said of himself: I am the light of the world. He says to us: You are the salt that should give taste to the life of the people around you. You are the light of the world that should not remain hidden. Happy are we, for the Lord trusts us and invites us to receive him.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God, you have given us the salt and light of your Word and the bread of life. May they make your Christian community a city of light on a hill-top to bear witness to your integrity, love and justice in this world. Accept our humble thanks for calling us to praise your name and sustain us by the power of him who is the light of the world, Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
May our love be like salt that makes life tasty and worthwhile. May our Christian living be a light to those who live in darkness. May our Christian communities be cities of light to be seen from afar as signs that God lives and works in his people. And may God bless you all for this mission: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen. Go now, and let the light of Christ shine on all those who live around you.. R/ Thanks be to God.
