SOCL, Sunday22B

Sunday September 01, 2024

This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

See

As disciples, we all need a kind of personal “rule of life” and we are supported by the community of faith and its practices. But the externals of religions—the very supports we need— risk becoming merely cultural, an empty shell, if our heart is not in it. All three readings this Sunday underline the point: Pure, unspoilt religion is this: coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it.

Listen

Deut 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15 (14); James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Reflect

(Mar-k 7:1-8; 14-15; 21-23)

-Certain sections of the Jewish people put great store on the importance of rules and conventions as a measure of the goodness of a person. Jesus challenges this view. How have you found that getting appearances right did not necessarily make you a good person?

-Even fidelity in religious practice is not enough. “This people honours me with their lips, but their heart is far from me”. How have you experienced the importance of carrying your faith beyond attendance on Sundays? When have you seen that in others? What brought this home to you?

-What Jesus seeks are followers whose faith is whole-hearted and warm, people whose religion is not primarily in dutiful observance but in their enthusiasm for life and their care for one another. It is good to be with them. Think of the contrast between a dinner party at which everything is just right but very formal, and another party which is rather haphazard and casual but full of great warmth.

-“It is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come.” It is also from within that good intentions come. We do have choices. When have you been faced with the choice between good and evil? When did you realize the importance of accepting responsibility for your own life and choices? How has this helped your growth as a person?

Pray

Father of light, giver of every good and perfect gift, bring to fruition the word of truth sown in our hearts by your Son, that we may rightly understand your commandments, live your law of love, and so offer you worship that is pure and undefiled. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

References

The One Who Does Justice

One another, Sunday22B

September 01, 2024

Deut 4:1-2, 6-8; Ps 15 (14); James 1:17-18, 21-22, 27; Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Our God hears the stirrings of every human heart. With confidence, then, let us now lift up our hearts in prayer:

That our parish’s worship and work together may be a constant celebration of God’s great love: let us pray to the Lord.

That the laws and policies of all governments may honor the sacred character of every man, woman, and child as sons and daughters of God: let us pray to the Lord.

That the new school year may be, for our children, a time of discovery and growth in the wisdom of God: let us pray to the Lord.

That a commitment to justice and an awareness of social responsibility may guide all businesses and banking institutions in the conduct of their financial affairs: let us pray to the lord.

That the generosity and compassion we extend to the poor, the hungry, and the homeless may be an offering of thanksgiving for God’s many blessings to us: let us pray to the Lord.

That the faithful who have died [especially _________], may share in the eternal life of the Risen Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

That the Father will hear the prayers we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

May your Word of life and love take root in our hearts, O God, that these prayers we offer may become a harvest of justice and peace. In Jesus’ name, we pray.

References-

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024b, September 1). Twenty-second Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090124.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

One another, Sunday21B

August 25, 2024

Joshua 24:1-2, 15-18; Psalm 34 (33); Ephesians 5:2,25-32; John 6:60-69

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” With Peter’s simple expression of faith echoing in our hearts, let us pray:

For our Church and parish community, that we may endure in our vocation to be God’s holy people: let us pray to the Lord.

For our bishops, priests, deacons, and ministers, that they may speak Jesus’ words of spirit and life: let us pray to the Lord.

For married couples, that the love of Christ may be the center of their life together: let us pray to the Lord.

For those whose lives are in turmoil, for families in crisis, that the Spirit of God may instill in them renewed hope and lead them to fulfillment and purpose: let us pray to the lord.

For the sick, the suffering, and the dying, that, in their pain and anguish, Christ may be present to them in our compassion and care: let us pray to the Lord.

For those who have died in Christ’s peace [especially _________], that Jesus’ promise of eternal life may be theirs: let us pray to the Lord.

For the prayers we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Gracious God, hear our prayers. Do not let us be discouraged by the crosses of our lives, but let us always carry on in hope, in the certainty of your Son’s words of spirit and life. In his name, we pray.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024bn, August 25). Twenty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082524.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.