Liturgy Alive, Models of Celebrations

Opening Prayer

Our loving God,
your Son Jesus has revealed you to us
as more warmhearted, tender and compassionate
than any mother could ever be.
Be near to all who are wounded in life,
care for the little people trampled upon.
Make all those who follow your Son
people who can forgive and heal,
who make themselves like nourishing bread
for all who are hungry in any way.
Make us care for one another
as you care for us through Jesus
your Son and our Lord for ever.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction
In a final exhortation the author of Hebrews sums up what he had said for the practical living of Christians. This is the blessing he wishes to his people.

First Reading: Heb 13:15-17, 20-21

Let us, then, continually offer through Jesus a sacrifice of praise to God, that is the fruit of lips celebrating his name. Do not neglect good works and common life, for these are sacrifices pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are concerned for your souls and are accountable for them. Let this be a joy for them rather than a burden, which would be of no advantage for you.

May God give you peace, he who brought back from among the dead Jesus our Lord, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, whose blood seals the eternal covenant.
He will train you in every good work, that you may do his will, for it is he who works in us what pleases him, through Jesus Christ, to whom all glory be for ever and ever. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 23:1-6

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose.
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Introduction
What a pity if our world would become so heartless as to do away with compassion? We hear in today’s good news that God shows in Jesus that he cares for us with a love deeper and more tender that that of a mother for the child to which she had given life. He is particularly close to those who need him most: the weak, those who suffer, the abandoned, and those who count for nothing. That is the love he showed us in Jesus; that is the love he invites us to have for one another: deep, tender, lasting, and not afraid of showing itself.

Gospel Reading: Mk 6:30-34

The apostles returned and reported to Jesus all they had done and taught. Then he said to them, “Go off by yourselves to a remote place and have some rest.” For there were so many people coming and going that the apostles had no time even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a secluded area by themselves.

But people saw them leaving and many could guess where they were going. So, from all the towns they hurried there on foot, arriving ahead of them.

As Jesus went ashore he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began a long teaching session with them.

Commentary

THE death of John distraught the crowds of people who had looked to him in hope and they surge around Jesus and the disciples. Jesus sends the disciples off together in a boat to rest but the people see them leaving and know where they're going and follow on foot. They are desperate, afraid and bereft without John's words. Jesus sees them and has compassion on them-they are like sheep without a shepherd. And he turns into the core of his life, accepting responsibility for all of them, herding them together, preaching them and teaching them, giving them life and hope in him. This is his way of life, the disciples' way of life and we too are called to be those who hold the people together, preach Good News and daily, life-long teach hope, a way to live in the face of murder, power run amok, injustice and violence. Let us pray that we shoulder our burden of the gospel and learn the compassion of a shepherd for so many without a sense of life's meaning and goodness.

General Intercessions

–   That we may be grateful to God for all the mercy and compassion he shows us, we pray:

–   That God’s people may learn to be a compassionate community to all those who suffer and to those who are trampled upon, we pray:

–   That we may be people of peace, who try to understand one another and seek reconciliation when we are divided, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts

Lord our God, compassionate Father,
in these signs of bread and wine
we welcome your Son Jesus Christ
as our Good Shepherd who died for us
to give direction to our life.
Let us feel how much he is familiar
with our weariness and our miseries,
that he listens when we turn to him,
that he is present when we need him.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Prayer after Communion

Our loving and caring God,
we thank you with all our hearts
for giving us a sure guide
who feels with us
and knows where he leads us,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Keep giving to your Church today
pastors in the image of your Son.
Let them be full of compassion and vision,
sensitive to people and their needs,
open to the demands and potentials
of the gospel and of our times.
Make them good shepherds
in the image of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Blessing

In the Bible to have compassion means literally “to feel in the depth of one’s bowels.” We would say in the depth of our heart. To be close in fidelity and compassion to others. That is God’s way with us. Let it be our way with one another, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.