Liturgy Alive 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time - B -

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Sunday, September 26, 2021

 

Greetings (see 1 Cor 12:4-7)

There is a variety of gifts,
but they come from the same Spirit,
all sorts of service, but to the same Lord,
many forms of work, but all of them, in all people,
the work of the same God.
In each one the Spirit manifests himself
for the good of all.
May the Lord Jesus give you this Spirit
and always be with you. R/ And also with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. No Monopoly on the Spirit

How easily we become suspicious of those who are different from us, particularly people of other religions. He or she is a Moslem or a Jew or a Protestant - or a foreigner. For some, perhaps many, this is enough to discredit that person or the good he or she does. Here comes Jesus, whose heart beats for all people, and he tells us to be open-minded and to recognize all the good there is in people and their deeds, whoever they are. The same Spirit is working in us who works in all who do good. Let the Lord open our minds today.

B. Many Gifts, One Spirit

A strong curse of humanity is its clannishness: my family or clan first, and the others do not count; my country above all, my tribe or race and not the rest, my social clique and I look down on the rest; even my religion, for the others are heretics or pagans. Hence wars, rivalries, condemnations. Where is the universality of the Church? Do we accept the Spirit working everywhere? That is what Jesus wants us to do. Let us ask him in this eucharist to open our minds and hearts to all and to recognize his Spirit doing good wherever people seek what is right and just, whether they know it or not.

Penitential Act

A. No Monopoly on the Spirit

Let us ask the Lord to forgive us
our jealousies, our prejudices, our small-mindednes.
(PAUSE)

Lord Jesus, 
your Spirit blows where he wants;
he inspires and moves many:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ,
your Spirit generously pours out his gifts
on whoever is open to his breath of life:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus,
your Spirit gives wisdom and insight
where and when we least expect it:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord,
and forgive us our sins 
of self-sufficiency and intolerance.
Open us to the force of your Spirit
and lead us to everlasting life. . R/ Amen.


B. Many Gifts, One Spirit

Let us ask the Lord to forgive us
that we have been narrow-minded.
(PAUSE)
Lord Jesus, you want us to be free.
Open the boundaries of our minds and hearts:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Jesus Christ, open our eyes
to the humble and to the poor,
to people on whom we have looked down:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, make us see with you
all the good there is in people,
even if they are different from us:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.

Have mercy on us all, Lord,
and forgive us our sins.
Make us one in you
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.

Opening Prayer

Let us pray that the Spirit of God
may be alive in us and in all people
(PAUSE)
God our Father,
pour out on us and on all people
the life-giving Spirit of your Son.
Let him open our minds,
that we may see your beauty and truth
in an ever-new light.
Let him open our hearts
that we may receive from him every day
a fresh provision of courage.
Let him pour out in all people
a love that is respectful and tolerant.
All this we dare to ask you
in the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. R/ Amen.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction: No Monopoly on God's Gifts!
      The Spirit of God inspired not only Moses but also others. God's gifts are for the good of all, not to be jealously guarded by a few.

Second Reading Introduction: Riches are a Responsibility

      In no uncertain terms, James warns the rich in goods and talents that on the day of judgment their possessions will testify against them if they have not been used well for others.

Gospel Introduction: Appreciate the Good Others Do

      Jesus teaches his disciples to appreciate the good done by others, whoever they are, and never to give scandal.

General Intercessions

Let us pray to the Father of all for all people far and near, known and unknown, and let us say: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

- For the Church we love, that it may bring forgiveness and love to all, welcome all, care for all, inspire all with the gentle power of the Holy Spirit, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

- For political leaders, bankers and economists, that they may be concerned about rich and poor alike, and let all people and nations have a just share in the riches of this earth, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

- For people who are persecuted for their faith, for prophets inspired by the Spirit who remind us in season and out of season of what is really important in the eyes of God, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

- For lawmakers, that the Spirit may prompt them to make good laws that are fair to all; for those who promote justice and freedom that people may respond to their efforts, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

- For outcasts and victims of discrimination, that our communities may accept them fully and make our love so spontaneous and warm that they feel accepted and at home among us, let us pray: R/ Lord, your kingdom come to all.

Father, make our love as generous and wide as the love you have shown us in Jesus. Let your Spirit open us to all. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Prayer over the Gifts

Our God and Father,
you invite us to eat with your Son
his meal of communion and peace.
Pour out on us gathered here
the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ,
that we may all be one
and cooperate with all people of good will
to stand up with courage
for freedom and justice everywhere.
May your Spirit work thus in all
to offer you glory and praise for ever. R/ Amen.

Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer

Gathered with our Lord Jesus Christ, let us give thanks to the Father for uniting us by his Holy Spirit as one Church and one voice of praise to God.

Invitation to the Lord's Prayer

With all the variety of our personalities and tasks,
let us be one in the Holy Spirit
to pray to our Father the prayer of Jesus: R/ Our Father...

Deliver Us

Deliver us, Lord, from every evil
and grant us peace in our day.
In your mercy keep us free
from our self-opinionated ways,
our clannishness and jealousies.
Make us recognize and appreciate
whatever good there is in people
as we wait together in joyful hope
for the coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...

Invitation to Communion

This is the Lamb of God
who takes away the sins of the world.
Happy are we to be invited
to eat the Lord's body
and to receive his Holy Spirit
of strength and unity. R/ Lord, I am not worthy...

Prayer after Communion

God our Father,
you send us out into the world
by the strength of the Holy Spirit
given us here in this eucharist
by you and by your Son.
Let him blow not only in us
but in whomever he wills
and in the direction you want us to go,
toward your future and your kingdom
of integrity, truth and love.
Grant us this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.

Blessing

It was already the wish of Moses
that the whole people of God
could be a prophetic people
inspired by God's Spirit.
Christ made us a people
filled with his Holy Spirit.
May this Spirit guide us
to renew this world
and may we recognize him at work
in all the good done by people.
May almighty God bless you all:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.

May Christ fill you with his Spirit
to keep you united in love. R/ Thanks be to God.

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