Presider’s Page for 30 October (Ordinary Time 31)
SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘Abide with Me’; ‘The Lord Will Heal the Broken Heart’; ‘Grant to Us, O Lord’; ‘How Great Thou Art’.
Opening Comment
Zacchaeus is the star of today’s Gospel, the man who has been called ‘everybody’s favourite underdog’. Zacchaeus took Jesus at his word and changed his life. We worship God, whose mercy for all people never fails.
Penitential Rite
As we prepare to hear this Good News, we recall our need of divine forgiveness: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another and to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your Father: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Just and merciful God,
true Lord of every house,
sure delight of every heart,
come into our midst today to speak your word and satisfy our hunger.
Enable us to see you clearly,
to welcome you with joy,
and to give justice and mercy a place in our lives.
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.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Wisdom 11:22 to 12:2 God loves all of creation and encourages those who sin to repent.
2 Thessalonians 1:11 to 2:2 Paul writes of his pleasure at the faith of the community. But he also wants to reassure those disturbed by a false claim that Christ is about to return.
Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus welcomes his saviour into his house and decides to change his ways.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Sisters and brothers, let us turn to God who raises those who are bowed down with grief or worry.
- For all who follow Christ— that, like Zacchaeus, they may declare their sins and find peace (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have never known God’s love — that divine mercy may be all around them (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For the suffering people of Aleppo and Syria — that God may defend and protect them (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For refugees and migrants — that Christians may welcome them (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us
- For the people on the edge of our communities — that they may find Christ is close to them (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
- For all those in need, the sick and the worried — that the care of friends may bring them peace (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For all the faithful departed (especially N and N) and for those of our community who have died since last November, that they may know God’s compassion eternally (short pause for quiet prayer). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God our King, you support your people in all their needs: show us your kindness, we pray, through Christ our Lord.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
let this sacrifice
be a pure and spotless offering to you,
and let it bring to us
the rich outpouring of your mercy.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER for MASSES of RECONCILIATION I
Holy Father,
compassionate and good,
it is right to give you thanks and praise,
for you never cease to call us
to a new and more abundant life.
Though we are sinners,
you constantly offer us pardon
and ask us to trust in your mercy alone.
Time after time, when we broke your covenants,
you did not cast us aside;
but through the incarnation of Jesus, your Son,
you bound the human family to yourself
with a new and unbreakable bond.
In Christ you give your people
a season of reconciliation and grace:
a time to draw new breath
for our journey back to you,
a time to open our hearts to your Spirit
and respond to the needs of all.
In wonder and gratitude
we join our voices with the choirs of heaven,
as we proclaim with joy the power of your love
and sing the endless hymn of your glory: Holy, Holy, Holy……
From the beginning, O God,
all you have done for the human family
you have done for our good,
that we may be holy, as you yourself are holy.
Look with kindness, then,
on your people gathered before you.
Send forth your Spirit in power,
that these gifts may become for us
the body + and blood of Jesus Christ, your beloved Son,
in whom we too are your children.
When we were lost
and our hearts were far from you,
you showed the depth of your love:
your Son, who alone is the Just One,
gave himself into our hands
and was nailed to the wood of the cross.
Before he stretched out his arms between heaven and earth
as the lasting sign of your covenant,
he desired to celebrate the Passover
in the company of his disciples.
While they were at table,
he took bread and gave you thanks and praise;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
At the end of the meal,
knowing he would reconcile all things in himself
by his blood poured out on the cross,
he took the cup filled with wine;
again he gave you thanks,
and, handing the cup to his friends, he said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith……
We remember Jesus Christ, our Passover and our lasting peace,
we celebrate his death and resurrection,
we await the blessed day of his return.
And so we present to you, God ever faithful and true,
the offering that restores the world to your grace.
Merciful Father,
look with love on those you draw to yourself
through their sharing in the sacrifice of Christ.
By the power of your Spirit,
may they become the body of your risen Son,
in whom all divisions are healed.
Keep us in communion of mind and heart,
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop.
Help us to work for the coming of your kingdom,
until at last we stand in your presence
and take our place among the saints,
with the Virgin Mary and the apostles,
and with our departed brothers and sisters,
whom we commend to your mercy.
Then, in the glory of your new creation,
freed from the sting of death,
we shall sing to you the hymn of thanksgiving
which rises from Christ the living Lord. Through him…….
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord,
increase within us the work of your saving power,
that our lives may be renewed by these holy mysteries
and your grace may prepare us for the blessings they promise.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.