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Introduction
The Gospel of today speaks of the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry. He preaches his Gospel of repentance-conversion, first to the semi-pagan Jews of Galilee: he becomes their light.
The signs that the kingdom of God has begun with him are, that the sick are cured, that he goes to the poor and the suffering. John says, in the first reading, that our love of neighbor and our obedience to the commandments will also be signs that the kingdom has come among us.
Opening Prayer
Lord, our God,
your kingdom began to take shape
when your Son showed his care for the sick
and for all those who suffer.
Help us to love people and to care for them,
especially for the poor, the dispossessed,
and the misfits of life.
Let this be the sign
that his Spirit is working in us
and that your Son is present among us,
he who is our Lord for ever.
Liturgy of the Word
Intentions
That the people of God may be in this world like a great light shining in the darkness, as men and women committed to a better world of compassion and mercy, we pray:
– That the leaders of the world may bring rays of hope into the lives of those who suffer by giving justice to the oppressed and human dignity to every person, we pray:
– That those who search and grope their way in life may discover Christ as the answer to their quest for love, goodness, and truth, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord, our God,
the bread and wine on this table
express that we are ready
to let your kingdom grow among us.
Give us the Spirit of your Son
to share our possessions and ourselves
with the less fortunate,
not in a spirit of condescension
but as your people,
to whom every poor person
appears with the face of Jesus Christ,
your Son and our Lord for ever.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, our God,
let the Gospel of your Son, Jesus Christ,
bear fruit among us, ordinary people.
Let your Son be the light
that brightens our lives
and do not allow us to hide its luster
from the people around us.
May they recognize him
in the simplicity of our love
and in our care for one another,
that with our help he may be seen and experienced
in this world as our Lord for ever.
Blessing
Jesus commanded us to love one another and he himself was our model by healing those who were sick and in pain. May we continue his work, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
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