Greeting (See Second Reading)
Thanks to God, you have heard his message through his Son Jesus Christ. It is God’s own message which the Church proclaims, not some human thinking. It gives you strength when you believe it. May Jesus, God’s living Word, be always with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
How ridiculous when someone shows you the way and then gets lost himself! How credible is the politician who makes promises and then does not keep them, the catechist who teaches religion and does not go to church, a priest preaching about justice and not paying his personnel? If we want to be trustworthy and believable, we ourselves must live as we believe, especially those in tasks of leadership and ministries. Let us learn from Jesus, here in this Eucharist.
Penitential Act
Let us ask forgiveness from the Lord and each other for scandalizing others by not living up to the faith we profess. (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to serve, not to be served: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, you yourself took up the cross before you asked people to carry theirs after you: Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, your yoke is light because you have shown us the way: Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Have mercy on us, Lord, and forgive us all our sins. Help us to serve the Father and people with you and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that our life may not turn our faith into a lie (pause) Lord God, our Father, you keep speaking your Word to us through your Son Jesus Christ. Make us listen to that word and welcome it with all that is in us. Let that word change our mentality and our ways, that it may direct our life to make it a lived message of Good News for all to see, to be inspired by, and to follow. Let it be the living power that leads all to give you praise and glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
First Reading: Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 God’s Messengers Who Do Not Speak God’s Word
The prophet speaks hard words against priests who do not speak God’s Word. They mislead the people and violate the covenant. Should they not be the first to be converted to the Word of God?
Second Reading: 1 Thes 2:7b-9,13 Paul, A Good Messenger of the Lord
Paul displays all the qualities of a true messenger of the Gospel. He preaches the Gospel as God’s Word, not his own, is ready to back it up with his life, is affectionate to his people (as a mother, he says).
Gospel: Mt 23:1-12 They Do Not Practice What They Preach
Jesus warns against teachers who do not practice what they preach: Do what they tell you, but do not follow their example. The great danger is that we won’t ever listen to them, for they are not credible.
Intercessions
Let us pray today to the God of truth and love for truthfulness and authenticity in the Church and in the world, and let us say: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For the Church, especially its leaders, that with courage and honesty they may take to heart the task of renewal and reconciliation, so as to become more the true face of Christ the Lord to the world of today, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For priests and religious, that the poverty and love of Christ and people may become visible in them and make their teaching credible, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For politicians and civic leaders, that their concern may not be honor and power but justice, dignity, and the unity of those whom they honestly serve, let us pray: R/ Lord, her our prayer.
– For all who seek God with a sincere heart, for all who search for truth and justice, that their hunger may be satisfied; for reporters of newspapers, television and radio, that the truth may mean more to them than sensationalism and popularity, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
– For all Christian communities, including ours, that we may be truthful and reliable with one another, that our unity and friendship may be genuine, that we may not look down on those who err or doubt, let us pray: R/ Lord, hear our prayer.
God our Father, help us to love and serve you and people in spirit and in truth, through him who is our way to you, Jesus Christ our Lord. R/Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father, in these signs we celebrate the memorial of the death and resurrection of your Son. He showed us how deep and reliable was his love for you and for us. Make our love as genuine as his, open to your presence in each of us, capable of forgiving injuries, and always willing to share the best of ourselves. Make this come true in our lives, that our offering may express what is in us in spirit and in truth. We ask you this in the name of Jesus the Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
With Jesus, who came among us as the servant of all, we give thanks to the Father. R/ Our Father...
Introduction to the Lord’s Prayer
We have only one Father, the One in heaven. To him we pray with Jesus. R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, from false appearances and pretences that we are better than we really are. Rip off our masks and place on our lips words full and rich with the warmth of friendship, that among us love may not be just a word but a gesture of hope in the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is Jesus the Lord, who says: anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live because of me. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
God, who are we to boast or pretend? It is you who have chosen us and filled us with your gifts. Even our capacity to do good comes from your kindness. By the strength of this Eucharist make us unaffected and humble before you and the good there is in people. May we serve you with joy in the simplicity of our hearts and proclaim our faith with living deeds. Grant this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Blessing
You have only one Father, the One in heaven. You have only one Master, Jesus our Lord. Serve one another in the Spirit of truth and love. May the living and faithful God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Go in peace, live as you believe, and serve one another. R/ Thanks be to God.
