Lord,
mighty God,
you lead the world and all humanity
to their destiny in you.
Give to the leaders of the world and of our country
a vision of the future
that is both imaginative and realistic
and respectful of human rights and dignity.
Help us bear witness in everyday life
to the values of the Gospel
and to be involved in the work
of freedom, integrity and justice.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Liturgy
of the Word
First
Reading Introduction
2
Peter deals with the problem of the delay of the coming
of Christ. The old world has to give way to a new heaven
and a new earth. But the concept of time does not exist
for God, and the patient God gives us time for conversion.
First
Reading: 2 Pt 3:12 –15a, 17–18
Beloved:
Wait for and hasten the coming of the day of God, because
of
which the heavens will be dissolved in flames and the
elements
melted by fire. But according to his promise we await
new
heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, since you await these things, be
eager
to be found without spot or blemish before him, at peace.
And
consider the patience of our Lord as salvation.
Therefore, beloved, since you are forewarned, be on
your
guard not to be led into the error of the unprincipled
and to fall
from your own stability. But grow in grace and in the
knowledge
of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory
now
and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Responsorial
Psalm: Ps 90:2, 3– 4, 10, 14 and
16
R./
In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Before
the mountains were begotten
and the earth and the world were brought forth,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. R./ In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
You
turn man back to dust,
saying, “Return, O children of men.”
For a thousand years in your sight
are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night. R./ In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong,
And most of them are fruitless toil,
for they pass quickly and we drift away. R./ In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge. Fill us at daybreak with your kindness,
that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days.
Let your work be seen by your servants
and your glory by their children. R./ In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Gospel
Reading Introduction
Sometimes
the Church is accused of meddling in politics and the
affairs of the state. But the Church has to raise a prophetic
voice to form consciences regarding the moral aspects
of political, social and economic questions, to see to
it that the laws of God and the people's human rights
and dignity are respected. A good Christian must be a
good citizen and take up his responsibilities regarding
the human community.
Gospel
Reading: Mk 12:13 –17
Some
Pharisees and Herodians were sent to Jesus to ensnare
him in his speech. They came and said to him, “Teacher,
we
know that you are a truthful man and that you are not
concerned
with anyone’s opinion. You do not regard a person’s
status
but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
Is it
lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not? Should
we pay
or should we not pay?” Knowing their hypocrisy he said
to
them, “Why are you testing me? Bring me a denarius to
look
at.” They brought one to him and he said to them, “Whose
image and inscription is this?” They replied to him,
“Caesar’s.”
So Jesus said to them, “Repay to Caesar what belongs
to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God.” They were utterly amazed
at him.
Commentary
With
a wisdom far greater than Solomon's does Jesus resolve
the matter at hand. That same wisdom is what we need in
order to settle the vexing question of how we are to act
in a society that is increasingly individualistic, materialistic
and hedonistic. How are we to remain faithful to the Lord
amidst the distractions of our day?
St. Augustine would say that we are to live in the world
but not be of the world, advice that is perennially valid.
We must keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus, lest we be led
astray by the seductive lure of the things of this world.
General
Intercessions
- That
justice, love and responsible freedom may be the basis of
the social order in the world and in our country, that all
may live in peace and security, we pray:
- That all citizens may have a strong sense of civic responsibility
and actively participate toward the common welfare, we pray:
- That the Church in our country may bear witness to God's
kingdom to all the nations of Asia; that our country may
play a role of honor in the family of nations and cooperate
to world peace and unity, we pray:
Prayer
over the Gifts
Lord
our God,
we bring this bread and wine before you
as signs in which your Son Jesus Christ
relives his commitment to us.
May they also become the signs
of our responsibility toward our human community,
that with your Son we may be ready
to bear witness to the values of the Gospel
and how these can lead society
to greater peace and love and friendship.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer
after Communion
Lord
our God,
you are about to send your people
gathered here around your Son
back to the human city
to join forces with all
to build up the city of God as a leaven in the dough.
Make us sensitive to the needs of others
and help us to give to all equal chances in life,
to build up communities of friendship and love
and to warm the earth
with a touch of your gentleness.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
In
this Eucharist we have given thanks and praise to God not
only as his people but also in the name of all humanity.
May we fulfill our task of imbuing this world with the values
of the Gospel, and may God bless you, the Father, and the
Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Claretian Publications MACAU