Opening
Prayer
Lord
our God,
to go to the poor and to set them free,
your disciples must be credible
as people who are free themselves.
We pray you today for a spirit of poverty
that makes us free and available
to all those imprisoned
by the forces of evil.
May we thus become authentic witnesses
of the gospel of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
Liturgy
of the Word
First
Reading Introduction
Our religion today is
not inspired or instilled by the fear of the terrifying signs of Mount
Sinai but rests on Christ our mediator of the new covenant who sacrificed
himself for us.
First
Reading: Heb
12:18-19, 21-24
What
you have come to is nothing known to the senses: nor heat of a blazing
fire, darkness and gloom and storms, blasts of trumpets or such a
voice that the people pleaded that no further word be spoken.
The
sight was so terrifying that Moses said: I tremble with fear.
But
you came near to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, to the
heavenly Jerusalem with its innumerable angels. You have come to the
solemn feast, the assembly of the firstborn of God, whose names are
written in heaven. There is God, Judge of all, with the spirits of
the upright brought to perfection. There is Jesus, the mediator of
the new covenant, with the sprinkled blood that cries out more effectively
than Abel's.
Responsorial
Psalm: Psalm 48:2-4, 9-11
R.
O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Great is the LORD and wholly to be praised
in the city of our God.
His holy mountain, fairest of heights,
is the joy of all the earth.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Mount Zion, “the recesses of the North,”
the city of the great King.
God is with her castles;
renowned is he as a stronghold.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
As we had heard, so have we seen
in the city of the LORD of hosts,
In the city of our God;
God makes it firm forever.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
O God, we ponder your mercy
within your temple.
As your name, O God, so also your praise
reaches to the ends of the earth.
Of justice your right hand is full.
R. O God, we ponder your mercy within your temple.
Gospel
Introduction
Jesus wants his disciples
to be without security and power, so as to be free to go to people in
their own life situation and to be free to preach and witness to the
gospel without ambiguity. Would that the Church today could give such
an unambiguous witness.
Gospel
Reading:
Mk
6:7-13
Jesus called the Twelve to him and began
to send them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.
And he ordered them to take nothing for the journey except a staff;
no food, no bag, no money in their belts. They were to wear sandals
and were not to take an extra tunic.
And he added, “In whatever house you are
welcomed, stay there until you leave the place. If any place doesn’t
receive you and the people refuse to listen to you, leave after shaking
the dust off your feet. It will be a testimony against them.”
So they set out to proclaim that this was
the time to repent. They drove out many demons and healed many sick
people by anointing them.
Commentary
THE
disciples have seen Jesus heal, and now they are sent out to the
villages with the authority to heal and cast out any spirit that
hinders people from living as the children of God, imitating his
own work. They go with nothing extraneous to their mission: no food,
no money, no bag, no money for things they might need, only a staff
and sandals, no extra tunic for protection. This is the way of the
pilgrim, the healer, the itinerant preacher who proclaims Jesus'
presence and power with word of hope, the call to repent and healing
touch that strengthens and turns people away from doing evil. As
believers, this is our work, our calling together-some for a lifetime,
others for a time of apprenticeship and learning, others to encourage
and sustain those on the road for the Lord. Those who have this
authority must live more simply, more truthfully and more in the
service of others. Let us pray we obey the words of our Master-healer
and speaker of the Truth.
General
Intercessions
–
Lord, they were only stammerers and timid people, but you called Moses
and Jeremiah to speak out and lead their people. Make us voice your
word without hesitation, even to people not well disposed to listen,
we pray:
–
Lord, they were only fishers cleaning their nets, but you called your
apostles to spread your good news. Make us fearless to speak your
word, we pray:
–
Lord, they are only teachers or parish priests or employees, but you
call leaders and members in our communities to tolerate no injustice
and to defend the poor. Speak through them and through all of us what
is right and good, we pray:
Prayer
over the Gifts
Lord,
almighty God,
you want your Son to come among us
not with splendor and power
but in the poverty of the ordinary,
in everyday food and drink.
May
we too not attach ourselves
to things that tie us down
and that give us a sense of false security.
Keep reminding us
that we are people on the way
to you and to one another
and give us our food for the road,
your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Prayer
after Communion
Lord
God, our Father,
your Son sent out his disciples
to bring his good news and healing
to people in their everyday lives.
Help those in the Church who teach and celebrate liturgy
always to link faith and worship
to the realities of daily living,
that the unity of what we are and do
may be the gospel and life of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Blessing
Jesus
sent out his apostles to bring his message to people. They should
not wear useless baggage and depend on the people’s hospitality. They
are sent to heal and save. May your lives speak the message of the
gospel, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit.
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