|

Ordinary Time, 20th Sunday (17 August)

Opening Comment
Everyone is welcome in God’s house, everyone who loves God’s name. We gather to experience the warmth of this embrace.

Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God of the nations,
to your table all are invited
and in your family no one is a stranger.
Satisfy the hunger
of those gathered in this house of prayer,
and mercifully extend to all the peoples on earth
the joy of salvation and faith.
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
Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 — God’s laws are simple to understand: even foreigners can live by them. Our God is the god of all people.
Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 — Paul longs to see the Jews realise that Jesus is their Messiah, even though he admits God’s plan is beyond our understanding.
Matthew 15:21-28 — The Canaanite woman was persistent, a reminder that persistent faith is fruitful.

BIDDING PRAYERS

Introduction (by the Presider) God sheds his light on us, so we bring our prayers with confidence:

  1. That people of every nation, race, colour and religion may be united in working for justice and integrity (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  2. That those who follow Christ may never forget that all are welcome on God’s holy mountain (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  3. That in our daily lives, we may show love to the people from other countries who live in our midst (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  4. That those who receive exam results at this time of year, may find happiness in life, with a deep faith to guide them. (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  5. That all who suffer, in mind, body or spirit, may experience Christ’s healing power (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.
  6. That those whose faith is known to God alone may come at the end of their lives to God’s holy mountain (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

The priest prays for local needs: For our brothers and sisters who have died (especially N & N) that all may be united in their heavenly home (pause for silent prayer). Lord, hear us.

Conclusion (by the Presider) Gracious God, all the nations find their help in you: teach us to trust in your love as you grant our petitions, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 SONGS AT MASS (Suggestions) ‘All the ends of the earth’; ‘Glory and Praise to our God’; ‘Sing a New Song’.

Similar Posts

Presider’s Page for 22 November (Christ the King)

Editor's Choice, Liturgy, Presider's Page
0 Comments

Today we celebrate the feast of Christ the King. At the end of time, this king will come in glory to judge the living and the dead. He will ask how we treated the hungry and thirsty, the stranger, the naked, those sick or in prison. But in the meantime, he will bind our wounds and revive our sometimes-drooping spirits, like a Good Shepherd.

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.