Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

Introduction

“Come and see,” says Jesus to the two disciples of John who were curious about him. They came and saw their Savior and followed him. “Come and see.” Would that we could say the same to people today and show them Christ present in our midst. Would they find him among us? And do we ourselves recognize Christ passing among us?

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
your Son passes among us
as the saving Lamb,
and often we are not aware of his presence.
Give us eyes of faith
that we may see a glimpse of him
in the love and compassion of people around us,
in their encouragement and help,
in their concern for justice.
For in their goodness you show yourself
through your Son Jesus Christ,
who lives with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading: 1 Jn 3:7-10

My little children, do not be led astray; those who do what is right are upright, just as Jesus Christ is upright. But those who sin belong to the devil, for the devil sins from the beginning.

This is why the Son of God was shown to us, he was to undo the works of the devil.

Those born of God do not sin, for the seed of God remains in them; they cannot sin because they are born of God.

What is the way to recognize the children of God and those of the devil? The one who does not do what is right is not of God; so, too, the one who does not love his brother or sister.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 98:1, 7-9

All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

O sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his holy arm have gotten him victory.

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.

Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy

at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Gospel Reading: Jn 1:35-42

John was standing in Bethabara beyond the Jordan with two of his disciples. As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and said, "There is the Lamb of God." On hearing this, the two disciples followed Jesus. He turned and saw them following, and he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They answered, "Rabbi (which means Master), where are you staying?" Jesus said, "Come and see." So they went and saw where he stayed and spent the rest of that day with him. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon.

Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard what John had said and followed Jesus. Early the next morning he found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means the Christ), and he brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John, but you shall be called Cephas" (which means Rock).

Commentary

The gentle words of Jesus, "Come and see," are addressed not only to the apostles, but also to you and me. The Lord invites you to come with Him along the path of life, and to see things from His perspective. He teaches you through His Holy Word that people are more important than things, and that there is no time like the present for doing what is right and good.

Jesus also helps you to see the wisdom of turning away from anything that would distract you from the path of life that He shows you. Other paths might seem more alluring, but only Jesus offers you the path of life.

General Intercessions

–   For those who have heard the special call of Jesus, “Come, follow me,” that they may remain faithful to their vocation, we pray:

–   For those who preach the gospel of Jesus, that their own life may be a constant invitation for people to live according to the gospel, we pray:

–   For our communities, that leaders and members may go together the way of the Lord as companions and friends, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord God, our Father,
you invite us to come and see
your Son Jesus Christ, our Savior,
in these signs of bread and wine.
May he stay with us not only here
in this eucharistic celebration
but in the daily events of life,
that he may brighten their drabness
with his living nearness
and that he may change
the way we look at people and things,
for he is our Lord and Savior for ever.

Prayer after Communion

Lord, living God,
we thank you for having gathered us
around our brother Jesus Christ
and for restoring us with the strength
of his body and blood.
Let him stay with us
as our companion in life,
that we too may say to those we encounter:
“Come and see” Jesus alive among us.
Come and see how we try to love and serve one another.
Come and see how there is among us
justice and hope and trust.
Help us to say and live this in all sincerity
by the power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

“We have found the Savior,” exclaims the apostle. We too have found him. May this be our joy and prompt us to tell others about it. May all of us find him, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.