Presider’s Page for 9 February (Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time)

Opening Comment
Over these Sundays, we listen to what Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount. In today’s liturgy, we hear that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Rejoicing in this calling, we praise God who sustains us all our days.
Penitential Rite
Though we are called to be light, sometimes we have chosen darkness. Let us remember our sins (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer for Year A (from 1998 ICEL Missal)
Heavenly Father,
you have called your Church
to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine,
so that all may see our works
and give you the glory.
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
Isaiah 58: 7-10 — Isaiah suggests some ways of living a good life.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 — In Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth, he speaks of his reliance on the power of God.
Matthew 5:13-16 — Jesus calls us to be examples of Christian living.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us bring our prayers to the Lord, in whom we place our trust.

1. That Christians may welcome refugees and immigrants (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
2. That we may do away with the clenched fist and the wicked word (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
3. That all who follow Christ may light up the world (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
4. That hungry and homeless people may be cared for (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
5. That the oppressed may be set free (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
6. That people who are sick may experience God’s healing power (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for those who have died (especially N.& N. who died recently and N. & N. whose anniversaries occur) that they may praise God for ever in heaven (we pray quietly). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) O God, you are the light that makes clear our way before us, listen to the prayers we make, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Lord God,
you have provided food and drink
to sustain our earthly life;
grant, we pray, that this bread and wine
may become the sacrament that gives eternal life.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
PREFACE (Sundays in Ordinary Time I)
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.
Through the mystery of his cross and resurrection
he freed us from the yoke of sin and death
and called us to the glory that has made us
a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
a people set apart to proclaim your mighty works,
for you have called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.
And so, with angels and archangels,
with all the heavenly host,
we proclaim your glory
and join their unending chorus of praise: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sundays in Ordinary Time)
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
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.