Greeting (See Second Reading)
God chose us specially long ago and destined us to become true images of his Son, so that Jesus might be the eldest of many brothers and sisters. May our brother Jesus be always with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. What Do We Treasure Most?
To understand what is most precious to you, do not think of your usual concerns and cravings, for they are on the surface of things. Think of a moment of crisis in your life, when you have to choose the only thing that counts. What is it? You, things you have, or the Lord? Do you have the courage to make the right choice? Ask the Lord to let you choose him and his kingdom. All the rest does not count.
B. For What Do I Risk Everything?
People often dream of finding a treasure or winning the first prize in the state lottery. The message of today asks us: to you, Christian, is your faith, your Christian living, your closeness to God the treasure of your life? Are you willing to risk everything for this treasure? God’s kingdom, the Gospel, our faith are the pearl and the treasure that we have to find and keep. Let the Lord make you rich with these.
Penitential Act
We ask now the Lord to forgive us that too often our heart was not fixed on him but rather on ourselves, on possessions and power (PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you have brought us the treasure of the love of the Father: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, by your death you have won for us the treasure of forgiveness and life: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy. Lord Jesus you have left us in the Eucharist the treasure of your presence and strength: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy. Lord, in your immense kindness forgive us all our sins. Lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray God our Father for discerning hearts (PAUSE)
Lord God, our Father, our heart remains restless until it has discovered the peace you offer us in your Son Jesus Christ. Help us to put our trust and joy not in brittle, perishable things but in your Son, his Good News and the kingdom he came to build among us. Make us poor and receptive, give each of us an attentive and wise heart that keeps seeking until we have found you in Jesus and in people, and love you and rest in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word First Reading Introduction: God’s Treasure Of Wisdom
Those who seek the wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong and to do God’s will as the highest gifts are blessed by God. This was Solomon’s experience.
Second Reading Introduction: The Holy Spirit Helps Us In Our Weakness
Those who seek the wisdom to discriminate between right and wrong and to do God’s will as the highest gifts are blessed by God. This was Solomon’s experience.
Gospel Introduction: God’s Kingdom Is The Most Precious Treasure
God’s kingdom is worth more than anything else in the world. We should be ready to give up everything else for its sake. General Intercessions
The ministry entrusted to us, the Church, is to pray for everyone and all, that they may discover the treasure of faith. Let us say: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For all Christians, that they may hold dear their faith and their life in Christ and keep living up to their convictions, let us pray to the Lord: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For people everywhere, that they may open their eyes and their hearts to the Good News of Jesus Christ, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For the leaders of nations, that as they work for prosperity and progress they may not lose sight of what is essential, that is: people, and the deepest human values, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For those who are rich in possessions and talents, that they may put their gifts and goods at the service of people, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For the sick and the poor among us, that they may discover in the loving care of people something of the goodness of God himself, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
• For our young people, that their parents and the Church may hand on to them their living faith and the spirit to serve God and people well, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear your people.
Lord, we thank you that in you we have found the treasure that makes our life worthwhile. Keep us in your love, now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Prayer Over the Gifts
Lord our God, create between you and us a holy communion of love. Come among us in Jesus Christ in this Eucharist and in daily life. Reign in us, take possession of us to rule and forgive, to sanctify and enlighten, to lead us and to renew us by your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, we give thanks to the Father for the treasure he has given us in our faith and the pearl of his kingdom.
Invitation to the Lord’s Prayer
With Jesus our Lord we pray first of all to our Father in heaven that his kingdom come and that we may do his will.
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from our concentration on material needs and security and make us truly concerned to seek always your will and to work for the coming of your kingdom. Keep us free from discouragement when your justice and truth are slow in coming, and keep alive our joyful hope that one day we shall see the full coming among us of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus, the Lamb of God, whose image we are called to become. Happy are we to be invited to eat his bread of life and to share in his glory.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father, in this Eucharistic celebration you have given us again your own Son. Let him nourish in us the growth of your kingdom. May he open our eyes to the goodness and yet the relative value of the things of this earth May he help us realize that our human personality and existence are nothing else than the concrete manner in which we respond to your call and build up your kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
At the end of this celebration perhaps the answer has become clearer what it is that really matters in our life. Where do our real and lasting joy lie? Is it in God, his kingdom, in the love and mercy he shows us in Christ? We know it is a joy for him that we are here as his people. May he be our joy and treasure too, now and always. May Almighty God bless you and be your happiness, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen. Let us go in the peace and the joy of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.
