Presider’s Page for 24 September (Ordinary Time 25)
Songs at Mass (Suggestions)
‘Be Thou my Vision’; ‘Ag Críost an Síol’; ‘Now Thank We All Our God’; ‘Seek ye first….’
Opening Comment
God’s ways are not our ways. God’s love and generosity are beyond our understanding. We acknowledge all God has done for us, and ask for the grace to grow into God’s likeness.
Penitential Rite
To prepare ourselves to celebrate the generosity of God, let us remember our need of divine help: (pause)
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (from the 1998 ICEL Missal)
God most high,
your ways are not our ways,
for your kindness is lavished equally upon all.
Teach us to welcome your mercy toward others,
even as we hope to receive mercy ourselves.
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 55:6-9 — Both the first reading and Gospel remind us that God’s generosity exceeds our expectations. As high as the heavens are above the earth are God’s ways different from ours, proclaims Isaiah.
Philippians 1:20-24, 27 — Paul tells us that Christ means everything to him.
Matthew 20:1-16 — Jesus uses a story to show that God makes individual arrangements with each of his servants.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) The Lord is close to all who call, so we ask for help in our needs:
- For all who follow the Christian way, that they may appreciate God’s generosity (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For all the nations on earth, that their leaders may deal with each other with tolerance — and prevent war (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For this community, that we may be as generous to others as God is with us (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For workers and those who employ others, that the rights of all may be respected (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For those who cannot find work, that their needs may not be forgotten (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
- For all the members of our families, that we may deal with each other with patience and tolerance (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
The presider prays for the dead: For those who gone before us in faith (especially N and N), that the Lord’s generosity may assure them of a place in the kingdom (stop a moment and pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) God of kindness and compassion, you are close to all who call upon you; hear the prayers we make to you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Take to yourself, O Lord, the gifts your people offer,
that in this holy sacrament
we may enter the mystery
which we profess with devotion and faith.
Grant this in the name of Jesus, the Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time VII)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
You so loved the world
that you gave your only Son as our Redeemer.
You sent him as one like ourselves,
though free from sin,
that you might love in us what you love in Christ.
Your gifts of grace, lost when we disobeyed you,
are now restored by the obedience of your Son.
And so we join the angels and saints
in the joyous hymn of your praise: Holy, holy, holy…
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER III
Lord, you are holy indeed,
and all creation rightly gives you praise.
All life, all holiness comes from you
through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord,
by the working of the Holy Spirit.
From age to age you gather a people to yourself,
so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure offering may be made
to the glory of your name.
And so, Lord God, we humbly pray:
by the power of your Spirit sanctify these gifts
we have brought before you,
that they may become the body + and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
at whose command we celebrate this eucharist.
On the night he was handed over to death,
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.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks and praise,
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…..
Calling to mind, Lord God
the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and eagerly awaiting the day of his return,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.
Look with favour on your Church’s offering
and see the Victim by whose sacrifice
you were pleased to reconcile us to yourself.
Grant that we who are nourished by the body and blood of your Son
may be filled with his Holy Spirit
and become one body, one spirit in Christ.
Let him make us an everlasting gift to you,
that we may share in the inheritance of your saints,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles, the martyrs,
[Saint Patrick], and all your saints,
on whose constant intercession we rely for help.
Lord, may this sacrifice
which has made our peace with you
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Strengthen in faith and love your pilgrim Church on earth:
your servant Pope Francis, our Bishop N.,
all bishops, priests, and deacons,
all ministers of your Church,
and the entire people your Son has gained for you.
Merciful Father,
hear the prayers of the family you have gathered here before you,
and unite to yourself all your children
now scattered over the face of the earth.
Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters
and all who have left this world in your friendship.
We hope to enjoy with them your everlasting glory,
through Christ our Lord,
through whom you give the world everything 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
Lord,
support with your unfailing help
those you nourish with this sacrament,
that we may feel the power of your redemption
in the celebration of the eucharist
and in the conduct of our lives.
Grant this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
About the Bidding Prayers:
Time out of number I have listened to one reader or another race through these prayers with hardly a pause or indication that what is being said is a heart-felt prayer. And nearly always the most important words – “Lord, hear us” are reduced to a throw-away line.
As if the reader just wanted to get through it as quickly as possible and get back to his/her seat.
If the celebrant accepts this as the status quo then he is reducing at least this part of the liturgy to the mundane.
What should be a cry of the heart – an invocation of the spirit – becomes a whimper…