Ordinary Time, 16th Sunday (20 July)

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Opening Comment
We have been called together by the Spirit of God to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. The Spirit teaches us to pray, and moves us to glorify the Lord’s name.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
O God, patient and forbearing,
you alone know fully
the goodness of what you have made.
Strengthen our spirit when we are slow
and temper our zeal when we are rash,
that in your own good time
you may produce in us a rich harvest
from the seed you have sown and tended.
We make our prayer 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.

Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 — God is a lenient judge, who understands our weakness.
Romans 8:26-27 — St Paul teaches that the Spirit comes to help us in our weakness.
Matthew: 24-43 — Within God’s family there will always be faithful and unfaithful members, just as fields yield both wheat and weeds. God will sort them out at the end of time.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, the Spirit helps us choose words to pray properly. Open to the Spirit’s help, let us bring our needs to the Father:

  1. For all who try to live as Christians, that they may have the grace to rise above the evil around them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. For those who have never known faith, that the Good News of salvation may reach them (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. For people who are finding life difficult at the moment, that the goodness of friends may reassure them of God’s care (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. For the young, as they search for truth, that the seed of faith sown in them may bear abundant fruit (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For those whose earthly journey is over (especially N and N), that our forgiving God may welcome them home (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) God of love and compassion, you do marvellous deeds: attend to the sound of our voice and take pity on us, we pray, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

SONGS AT MASS (suggestions) ‘How Great Thou Art’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘Spirit of the Living God’.

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