Presider’s Page for 23 August (Ordinary Time 21)
Songs for today: ‘Be Thou My Vision’; ‘Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise’; ‘Be Not Afraid’.
Opening Comment
This hour of worship brings us into the presence of the God whose mystery we can never comprehend. All we have comes from the Lord, and we can only bow down in awe, and bring forward the praise that is due to the Almighty.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves for the worship of God, let us call to mind our sins:
I confess …
Alternative Opening Prayer (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Living God,
you sent your Son among us
to reveal your wisdom
and make known your ways.
Increase our faith,
that we may confess Jesus as your Son,
take up his work on earth,
and trust his promise to sustain the Church.
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
Isaiah 22:19-23 — God exercises his authority, removing one leader and replacing him with another.
Romans 11:33-36 — Paul reminds us that God is beyond our understanding, that no one can claim to have figured out the mind of God.
Matthew 116:13-20 — Peter is given authority on the basis of his act of faith.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers into God’s presence, remembering that God’s love for us is eternal.
- For our Pope Francis and our own bishop (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For our leaders — that they may be gentle (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For those who have suffered through the abuse of power (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For people who travel — that they may be safe (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For all who are returning to school in the coming days (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
- For the people who are sick and suffering (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
The Presider prays for the dead: For the leaders of the Church who have died, and all the faithful departed (especially N and N), that they may join their saintly predecessors in the Father’s house (pause for prayer/reflection). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of love, you never discard the work of your hands: hear the prayers we make to you, in trust, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord,
by the offering of Christ,
made once and for all,
you adopted a people as your own;
graciously bestow on your family, the Church,
the gifts of unity and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time IV)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
His birth brought the human race a new beginning;
by his suffering he wiped away our sins;
by rising from the dead he opened the way to eternal life;
and by his ascension to you, Father, he unlocked the gates of heaven.
And so we join the throng of saints and angels
as they sing the unending hymn of your praise:
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
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.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and 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…..
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
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
Complete within us, Lord,
the healing work of your mercy,
and by your grace transform and strengthen us,
that we may please you in all that we do.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
SOLEMN BLESSING (invoking St Peter)
Bow your heads for God’s blessing.
May God, who built the Church on the foundation of the apostles,
bless you through the merits and intercession of Saint Peter
R. Amen.
May God, who has enriched you by the guidance and example of the apostles, give you their strength
to bear witness before the world to the truth of Christ.
R. Amen.
May God, who has confirmed your faith through the teaching of the apostles,
lead you by their prayers to your true and eternal home.
R. Amen.