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First Reading: Hebrews 9:2-3, 11-14
A tabernacle was constructed, the outer one,
in which were the lampstand, the table, and the bread of offering;
this is called the Holy Place.
Behind the second veil was the tabernacle called the Holy of Holies.
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come to be,
passing through the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands,
that is, not belonging to this creation,
he entered once for all into the sanctuary,
not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own Blood,
thus obtaining eternal redemption.
For if the blood of goats and bulls and the sprinkling of a heifer’s ashes
can sanctify those who are defiled
so that their flesh is cleansed,
how much more will the Blood of Christ,
who through the eternal spirit offered himself unblemished to God,
cleanse our consciences from dead works to worship the living God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9
R./ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
All you peoples, clap your hands,
shout to God with cries of gladness,
For the Lord, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy;
the Lord, amid trumpet blasts.
Sing praise to God, sing praise;
sing praise to our king, sing praise.
R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
For king of all the earth is God:
sing hymns of praise.
God reigns over the nations,
God sits upon his holy throne.
R/ God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.
Gospel Reading: Mark 3:20-21
Jesus came with his disciples into the house.
Again the crowd gathered,
making it impossible for them even to eat.
When his relatives heard of this they set out to seize him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
Opening Prayer
Our saving God,
you have shown your people mercy
in your Son, Jesus Christ.
May we belong to him,
that we may come to love him deeply
and in this way, know him as he is,
and also know you as our Father.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: He entered once for all into the Sanctuary with his own Blood.
The Temple worship of the Old Covenant could not save because it did not demand personal commitment of the one who sacrificed. But the sacrifice of Jesus was deep and total. He sacrificed himself. His blood brought us salvation.
Gospel Introduction: They said, “He is out of his mind.”
The few verses of today’s Gospel tell us no more than that the crowd was so eager to hear Jesus’ message that they left him and the disciples not even the time to eat.
General Intercessions
– That the pope, Peter’s successor, may be our rock of faith, our model of healing and mercy, and thus the sign of unity in the Church, we pray:
– That our apostles today, our bishops, may exercise their authority as a service for community building, we pray:
– That missionaries may discover all the good there is in the hearts and minds of people and their culture, to heal, ennoble and perfect them in Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God, our Shepherd,
with bread and wine we celebrate
that your people are the body of Christ
which you wish to nourish
with the body and blood of your Son.
Sanctify us and accept our offering,
which we join to that of your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Father,
with your whole Church, we give you thanks
for entrusting to us the Good News of Christ
and strengthening us with his body.
May the whole People of God,
which you have called to life
spread the Good News of Jesus,
and give you all praise and glory
for all the love you have shown us,
in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
In his lifetime, Jesus chose the Twelve Apostles. All along history he continued to choose many to do his work. His work has to continue, and today he calls many to be our leaders and guides. May we fully cooperate with them, with the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
