Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

First Reading: Jas 3:13 –18

Beloved:
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his
works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your
hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Wisdom of this
kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual,
demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there
is disorder and every foul practice. But the wisdom from above
is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of
mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. And
the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who
cultivate peace.

Responsorial Psalm: Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 15

R./ The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R./ The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
R./ The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R./ The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Let the words of my mouth and the thought of my heart
find favor before you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
R./ The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Gospel Reading Introduction
Jesus heals a man who is possessed. He demands faith and trusting prayer, otherwise we are closed to God's action. Mark describes the healing of the possessed boy in terms of a raising up, like the cure of the mother-in-law of Peter or the raising up of the daughter of Jairus. By his touch Jesus heals and restores life.

Gospel Reading: Mk 9:14 – 29

As Jesus came down from the mountain with Peter, James,
John and approached the other disciples, they saw a large crowd
around them and scribes arguing with them. Immediately on
seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up
to him and greeted him. He asked them, “What are you arguing
about with them?” Someone from the crowd answered him,
“Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute
spirit. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams
at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your
disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so.” He
said to them in reply, “O faithless generation, how long will I
be with you? How long will I endure you? Bring him to me.”
They brought the boy to him. And when he saw him, the spirit
immediately threw the boy into convulsions. As he fell to the
ground, he began to roll around and foam at the mouth. Then
he questioned his father, “How long has this been happening
to him?” He replied, “Since childhood. It has often thrown
him into fire and into water to kill him. But if you can do
anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to
him, “‘If you can!’ Everything is possible to one who has faith.”
Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!”
Jesus, on seeing a crowd rapidly gathering, rebuked the
unclean spirit and said to it, “Mute and deaf spirit, I command
you: come out of him and never enter him again!” Shouting
and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out. He became
like a corpse, which caused many to say, “He is dead!” But
Jesus took him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up. When
he entered the house, his disciples asked him in private, “Why
could we not drive the spirit out?” He said to them, “This kind
can only come out through prayer.”

Commentary

Like the small amount of yeast in the dough, a little bit of faith can have a powerful effect. The prayer of the man in the Gospel could easily be our own: "I do believe, but help the little faith I have."

We pray thus whenever we are conscious of our inability to save ourselves. We are as powerless to achieve our own salvation as the man was to do anything to help his son. Yet Jesus is just as present to us as He was to that dear man. Our own cries for help will not go ignored, for the Lord never leaves disappointed those who place their trust in Him.

General Intercessions

- Lord, help us to raise up the downhearted from their discouragement by our friendship and our comforting Words, we pray:

- Lord, bless doctors, nurses, and those who care for the sick, that they may succeed in raising from their illnesses those who seek their help, we pray:

- Lord, raise from the dead all those dear to us who died with faith and hope in the resurrection, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God,
here are your own gifts of bread and wine.
Touch them with the power of the Holy Spirit
to change them into Christ,
our brother and Savior,
that we may share in his victory
over suffering, sickness and death.
We ask this in the name
of him who came to raise us to a higher life,
Jesus Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

God of mercy and compassion,
let us share in the healing power
of your Son Jesus Christ.
Give us a spirit of prayer and penance
to make us humble and strong,
and above all a sense of deep faith,
that we can do great things
if we believe in him
and let work in us
his power of raising up people
from their miseries and helplessness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Blessing

Touching people, taking them by the hand, freeing them from their isolation and raising them up from their sadness and hopelessness is also our task, as we continue the work of Jesus. Let us do so with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.