Presider’s Page for 16 February (Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Opening Comment
Today’s readings ask for decisions, challenging Christians to choose the right path. We gather to worship God, who can help us in all our choices.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves for the challenges of God’s Word, let us call to mind the good and bad choices of the week just gone, for the Lord leads us and guides us (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.
Opening Prayer for Year A (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
All-seeing God,
you alone judge rightly our inmost thoughts.
Teach us to observe your law from the heart
even as we keep it outwardly.
Purify our desires,
calm every anger,
and reconcile us to one another.
Then will our worship at your altar
render you perfect praise.
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
Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 7:17-37
The Beatitudes were part of the Gospel two weeks ago; today’s Gospel elaborates on their meaning. The first reading invites us to make the choice that will bring us life, while the second reading tells us we have great wisdom available to us.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Brothers and sisters, let us pray to God, the source of all wisdom.
- For all who follow Christ, that they may make good choices every day (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For the peoples of the Amazon region, that the rights of the poor may be respected (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For our migrant brothers and sisters, that their needs may be considered (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For all victims of human trafficking, that their cries may be heard (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For the formation of a good government for our country (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For the gift of wisdom for all who need it (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For all who have died, (especially N & N), that they may have life without end (pause for a moment of reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Gracious God, you lead your people along the right path; hear our prayers and give us the help we need today, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
may this holy sacrifice cleanse us from sin,
renew us in spirit,
and gain for us the eternal reward
promised to those who do your will.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER IV (with its own preface)
Father most holy,
it is right for us to give you thanks,
it is right to give you glory,
for you are the one God, living and true.
Before time began and for all eternity
you dwell in unapproachable light.
Source of life and goodness, you have created all things,
that they may abound with every blessing
and rejoice in the radiance of your light.
Countless hosts of angels stand before you
and gaze upon your splendour;
night and day they serve you
and worship you without end.
We join with them
and, giving voice to every creature under heaven,
we acclaim you and glorify your name: Holy, holy, holy….
Father most holy, we proclaim your greatness:
all your works show forth your wisdom and love.
You formed man and woman in your own likeness
and entrusted the whole world to their care,
so that in serving you alone, their Creator,
they might be stewards of all creation.
Even when they disobeyed you and turned away from your friendship,
you did not abandon them to the power of death,
but extended your hand in mercy,
that all who search for you might find you.
Again and again you offered the human race a covenant
and through the prophets nurtured the hope of salvation.
Father, you so loved the world
that in the fullness of time
you sent your only Son to be our Saviour.
Made flesh by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,
he lived as one of us in all things but sin.
To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation,
to prisoners, freedom,
and to those in sorrow, joy.
In order to fulfil your purpose
he gave himself up to death,
and by rising from the dead
he destroyed death and restored life.
And that we might live no longer for ourselves
but for him who died and rose for us,
he sent the Holy Spirit from you, Father,
as his first gift to those who believe,
to complete his work on earth
and renew the world in perfect holiness.
Lord God,
we pray that the same Holy Spirit may sanctify these gifts:
let them become the body + and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that we may celebrate the great mystery
which he left us as an everlasting covenant.
When the hour had come for him to be glorified by you,
Father most holy,
having loved his own who were in the world,
he loved them to the end.
While they were at supper,
he took bread and said the blessing;
he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In the same way he took the cup filled with wine;
he gave you thanks and, giving the cup to his disciples, 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….
And so, Lord God,
we celebrate the memorial of our redemption:
we recall Christ’s death and his descent among the dead;
we proclaim his resurrection and his ascension to your right hand;
and, looking forward to his coming in glory,
we offer you the sacrifice of his body and blood,
an offering acceptable to you,
which brings salvation to all the world.
Lord, look upon the sacrifice
which you yourself have prepared for your Church;
and by your Holy Spirit
gather all who share this one bread and one cup
into one body, a living sacrifice in Christ,
to the praise and glory of your name.
Lord, remember those for whom we make this offering:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N., and all bishops,
the priests, deacons, and other ministers of your Church,
those who take part in this offering,
those here present, all your people,
and all who seek you with a sincere heart.
Remember those who have died in the peace of Christ
and all the dead whose faith is known only to you.
Merciful Father, grant that we, your children,
may enjoy the inheritance of heaven
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and all your saints.
There, together with all creation,
set free from the corruption of sin and death,
we shall sing your glory
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you bless the world with all that is good.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Merciful God,
you have invited us to share
in the one bread and the one cup.
Enable us to live as one in Christ
and to labour gladly for the salvation of all.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.