Liturgy Alive Monday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
GOD’S VINEYARD
Introduction
Probably written by someone belonging to the group of Peter’s disciples in the 2nd century, the author of 2 Peter warns against false teachers and against fear of the coming of Christ in the Parousia.
The parable of the wicked farmers or tenants who rent and cultivate the vineyard describes first of all in moving terms how God loves his chosen people (Israel, but also us) as a winegrower does his vineyard. It is a theme dear to the Scriptures. He plants and tends it with care. God’s love comes first. Then he leaves his work to be continued and developed by people, entrusts it to them, and wants to see it bear fruit. He sends even his beloved Son. Israel did not yield the expected produce. Do we?
Opening Prayer
God, you love us.
You ask of us today: my people, answer me:
What more could I have done for you?
Teach and help us to respond with our whole being
to your daily forgiveness and patience,
to the riches of life brought us by Jesus,
to the prompting of the Holy Spirit,
that we may be a people that bears lasting fruits.
May we bring to all a justice animated by love;
may we learn to share as you do with us.
Show us your mercy through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Intentions
– For the Church, which we are together, that it may always remain young and faithful and inspire its members and even the world with a sense of hope and deep love, we pray:
– For the whole Christian people, that we may show patience and compassion to people who go astray, to those who disappoint us, and accept them as the Lord accepts us, we pray:
– And for all in our Christian community here, that we may be grateful that the Lord has made us his vineyard and the tenants from whom he expects much, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Faithful God,
we bring these gifts before you
to celebrate how you have made
with us, your chosen people,
a new and everlasting covenant
through the death and rising of your Son.
Do not allow us to become proud
of being the people you love,
but help us to be worthy of your trust
and to give you a response
of deep faith expressed in service.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord, mighty God,
in this eucharist your Son has been
your encouraging word and your food of strength
for building up your kingdom among your people.
Deepen our trust that Christ will stay with us
and that he is the foundation on which we build.
Make us inventive and creative
in sharing with all who are willing to listen
the good news we have received
and to respond to your faithful love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Blessing
We are God’s vineyard, God’s cherished people. We are answerable to God and sent by him to make his good news known by our words and deeds, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
