18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 4 August (Presider’s Page)
Opening Comment (for the Presider)
God’s Word calls us to recognise the transience of life, to keep our eyes on what is lasting. Penitential Rite: We gather to ask God’s help and to praise God for forgiving our failures: (pause) You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy. You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy. You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings (for ministers of the Word)
Ecclesiastes 1: 2; 2: 21-23 The Preacher tells us that it is easy to fall into the trap of vanity.
Colossians 3: 1-5, 9-11 Leave sin behind, says Paul, and look to Christ. He is a model worth imitating.
Luke 12: 13-21 St Luke’s warning against greed is accompanied by a reminder of what it means to follow Christ: we must be always prepared.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider): Let us ask our God of endless generations to help us in our needs of today.
- For church leaders, that by their lifestyles and their words, they may lead God’s people (pause). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have little in a world of plenty, that the riches of the earth may be shared among all (pause). Lord, hear us.
- For men and women who work too hard, that they may find some rest during these summer days (pause). Lord, hear us.
- For the people in our community who suffer, in mind or body, that peace and healing may be theirs (pause). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead, those who died during the week (especially Eoghan and Ruairi Chada from Carlow who died in such tragic circumstances this week) and those whose anniversaries occur (and the person/people for whom Mass is offered) that they may enter heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand (pause) Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you have been our refuge, from one generation to the next: hear your people’s prayer today, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
SONGS AT MASS (for Ministers of Music): Be Thou My Vision; O The Love of My Lord; Glory and Praise to Our God; Holy God.