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First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea
all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:2-4, 5-6, 7-8
R./ Lord, show us your mercy and love.
You have favored, O Lord, your land;
you have brought back the captives of Jacob.
You have forgiven the guilt of your people;
you have covered all their sins.
You have withdrawn all your wrath;
you have revoked your burning anger.
R./ Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Restore us, O God our savior,
and abandon your displeasure against us.
Will you be ever angry with us,
prolonging your anger to all generations?
R./ Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Will you not instead give us life;
and shall not your people rejoice in you?
Show us, O Lord, your kindness,
and grant us your salvation.
R./ Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:46-50
While Jesus was speaking to the crowds,
his mother and his brothers appeared outside,
wishing to speak with him.
Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside,
asking to speak with you."
But he said in reply to the one who told him,
"Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?"
And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said,
"Here are my mother and my brothers.
For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father
is my brother, and sister, and mother."
Opening Prayer
God, Father of all,
you know and you love us;
whatever happens to us,
we are in your hands.
Wherever you lead us,
you know where you want us to go.
We ask you for faith and trust.
Make your will our will,
that you may lead us to your home
under the guidance of him,
who did your will in everything,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
Introduction to the First Reading
The Prophet Micah assures God's people that God forgives them in their infidelity. The people answer with a hymn of praise and trust.
Introduction to the Gospel
Jesus assures us that what brings us close to God and makes us his relatives is doing the will of the Father. This is all that matters, more than ties of blood. This mission was the core and meaning of Jesus' life and death. Let us pray that his faithfulness may also be ours.
General Intercessions
– That the people of God may always pray that they may seek your will rather than try to force you to do their will, we pray:
– That the Lord may give us the insight to discern his will in the events of life, we pray:
– That we may be true sons and daughters of God by seeking and doing his will in everyday life, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Father,
this bread and this wine
are signs that with Jesus, your Son,
we are ready to seek your will.
Allow us to share in his table
as his brothers and sisters
and to follow him on his loyal way
to you, our God for ever.
Prayer after Communion
God our Father,
you have given us a world
to master and to develop
according to your wise plans
and to build up the body of Christ
in solidarity.
May we do so by the strength
of Jesus himself
and make this Church and this world
a communion of faith and hope,
of love and peace,
as a sign and a way
to your joy that lasts for ever.
Blessing
Brothers and sisters of Jesus… We pray very often the Our Father and ask him that his will be done on earth as in heaven. That's what we pray for, so that's what we are committed to do. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
