Presider’s Page for 29 January (4th Sun. Ordinary Time)

0 Comments
|

Opening Comment
We gather to celebrate the resurrection of our Saviour and to remember his beautiful teachings. In the Beatitudes, which we read at Mass today, Jesus describes the kinds of people who are blessed in God’s eyes. We hope to join the company of all these saints in the heavenly liturgy.

Penitential Rite 
Jesus has shown us the way to walk: let us remember when we sought other paths (pause):
Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you have given us the consolation of the truth: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy.

Alternative Opening Prayer for Year A (1998 ICEL Missal)
O God,
teach us the hidden wisdom of the gospel,
so that we may hunger and thirst for holiness,
work tirelessly for peace,
and be counted among those
who seek first the blessedness of your kingdom.
We ask 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
Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 — Zephaniah describes the kind of people who find favour with God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-31 — Paul reminds us that we are to rely not on our own efforts, but on God’s power.
Matthew 5:1-12 — Today we begin to read from a section in Matthew’s Gospel which describes the Sermon on the Mount.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) We bring our prayers to God, who raises up those who are bowed down.

  1. That Christians may learn to be poor in sprit, relying on God’s power (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
  2. That those who suffer persecution for their faith may receive the gift of courage, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
  3. That good people who hunger and thirst for justice may see it come to pass, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
  4. That peacemakers may succeed in ending hatred between people and nations, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
  5. That those who suffer from illness may be healed, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us
  6. That all who mourn may experience comfort, we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us

The Presider prays for the dead: That those who have died may receive a great reward in heaven (especially N and N), we pray (reflect quietly for a moment). Lord, hear us

Conclusion (by the Presider) Lord our God, you keep faith with people in any kind of need: hear the prayer we make to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Other Liturgical Suggestions
Preface of Sundays in Ordinary Time 8 and Eucharistic Prayer 3, or Eucharistic Prayer 4 with its own preface.

Suggested Songs
Any song based on the Beatitudes, or ‘Be Thou My Vision’, ‘Ag Críost an Síol’, ‘Seek ye first’, ‘Let us Build the City of God’.

Join the Discussion

Keep the following in mind when writing a comment

  • Your comment must include your full name, and email. (email will not be published). You may be contacted by email, and it is possible you might be requested to supply your postal address to verify your identity.
  • Be respectful. Do not attack the writer. Take on the idea, not the messenger. Comments containing vulgarities, personalised insults, slanders or accusations shall be deleted.
  • Keep to the point. Deliberate digressions don't aid the discussion.
  • Including multiple links or coding in your comment will increase the chances of it being automati cally marked as spam.
  • Posts that are merely links to other sites or lengthy quotes may not be published.
  • Brevity. Like homilies keep you comments as short as possible; continued repetitions of a point over various threads will not be published.
  • The decision to publish or not publish a comment is made by the site editor. It will not be possible to reply individually to those whose comments are not published.