✠In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The word of God is living and active.
It judges the thoughts
and intentions of the heart.
All is open and laid bare before the eyes of him
to whom we give account.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith:
I confess to almighty God
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
in what I have done and in what I have failed to do,
through my fault, through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
and all the Angels and Saints,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins,
and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
THE GLORIA
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you,
we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
THE COLLECT FOR THE DAY
O God, who cause the minds of the faithful
to unite in a single purpose,
grant your people to love what you command
and to desire what you promise,
that, amid the uncertainties of this world,
our hearts may be fixed on that place
where true gladness is found.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
FIRST READING: Joshua 24
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel together at Shechem; then he called the elders, leaders, judges and scribes of Israel, and they presented themselves before God. Then Joshua said to all the people, ‘If you will not serve the Lord, choose today whom you wish to serve, whether the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are now living. As for me and my House, we will serve the Lord.’
The people answered, ‘We have no intention of deserting the Lord and serving other gods! Was it not the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors out of the land of Egypt, the house of slavery, who worked those great wonders before our eyes and preserved us all along the way we travelled and among all the peoples through whom we journeyed? What is more, the Lord drove all those peoples out before us, as well as the Amorites who used to live in this country. We too will serve the Lord, for he is our God.’.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM - Psalm 33
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
I will bless the Lord at all times,
his praise always on my lips;
in the Lord my soul shall make its boast.
The humble shall hear and be glad.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth.
The Lord turns his eyes to the just
and his ears to their appeal.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
They call and the Lord hears
and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Many are the trials of the just man
but from them all the Lord will rescue him.
He will keep guard over all his bones,
not one of his bones shall be broken.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Evil brings death to the wicked;
those who hate the good are doomed.
The Lord ransoms the souls of his servants.
Those who hide in him shall not be condemned.
Taste and see that the Lord is good.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life;
you have the message of eternal life
Alleluia!
GOSPEL: John 6
After hearing his doctrine many of the followers of Jesus said, ‘This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?’ Jesus was aware that his followers were complaining about it and said, ‘Does this upset you? What if you should see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before?
‘It is the spirit that gives life,
the flesh has nothing to offer.
The words I have spoken to you are spirit
and they are life.
‘But there are some of you who do not believe.’ For Jesus knew from the outset those who did not believe, and who it was that would betray him. He went on, ‘This is why I told you that no one could come to me unless the Father allows him.’ After this, many of his disciples left him and stopped going with him.
Then Jesus said to the Twelve, ‘What about you, do you want to go away too?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘Lord, who shall we go to? You have the message of eternal life, and we believe; we know that you are the Holy One of God.’
HOMILY
What are our values? What is important to us? The Israelites were tempted to serve other gods, for they were in a new land occupied by the worshippers of idols. Joshua challenged them to serve only Yahweh, and they accepted the challenge: “Far be it from us to forsake the Lord for the service of other gods.” Jesus challenged his followers to believe in the one, true God: “Does it shake your faith?” he asked them. Peter responds for the others, saying that they will not forsake Jesus, who has the words of eternal life. Jesus challenges us also to remain faithful to the one God. There are many in the world who worship other gods: power, money, pleasure, comfort, security, self-interest. Our prayer is that “all these attractions of a changing world serve only to bring us the peace of your Kingdom which this world does not give.” We want to say with Joshua and his people: “We will serve the Lord.”
If certain forms of modern ‘imperialism’ were considered in the light of these moral criteria, we would see that hidden behind certain decisions, apparently inspired only by economics or politics, are real forms of idolatry: of money, ideology, class, technology. Pope John Paul II, Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 1987: 37
THE PROFESSION OF FAITH
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son,
our Lord, who was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of the Father,
And he will come to judge the living
and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
For the Church: that we may boldly profess Jesus as Lord
and help others to come to know and follow him
For the grace of awe: that we may recognize
the great generosity of God who invites us out of love
to share in the life of the Trinity
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the grace to be free: that we may trust God's providence
and not be trapped by our plans, dreams, or visions
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Pope Francis, successor to St. Peter: Justin our Archbishop,
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Norman Bishop of Richborough,
The Diocese of Winchester, and all who lead God’s people;
that the Holy Spirit will guide them in proclaiming the Good News,
promoting unity in the Church, and inspiring us
to greater love and service
Lord, hear our prayer.
For Afghanistan, for those who are suffering and in danger under the new regime. For all who exercise authority, whether in business, education, or government: that they may use their power for promoting justice
and the common good.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are beginning a new academic year:
that students and teachers may learn together
as they grow in wisdom and love.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are searching for the keys to new life:
that God will help those who feel locked-in to addiction
or destructive habits, to recognize Christ
as the key that will liberate them.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who have lost much through natural disaster, unemployment,
persecution, or sickness: that God will relieve their pain,
protect them from harm, and give them strength of spirit
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are grieving: that God’s renewing
and healing presence may comfort them
and fill them with hope
Lord, hear our prayer.
For an end to the pandemic:
for those who are developing cures or vaccines.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For all who are discerning God’s call in their life:
that they may recognize the promptings of the Spirit
and be open to how they can best love and serve
in their life commitments
Lord, hear our prayer.
For those who have died……
✠ Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon them.
We ask your prayers, Mary, Mother of God, for our intentions:
Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee;
blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of our death
Protect us, Lord, in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God;
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just to give you thanks, Lord,
to raise to you a hymn of glory and praise,
O Lord, Father of infinite goodness.
For by the word of your Son’s Gospel
you have brought together one Church
from every people, tongue, and nation,
and, having filled her with life by the power of your Spirit,
you never cease through her to gather
the whole human race into one.
Manifesting the covenant of your love,
she dispenses without ceasing the blessed hope of your Kingdom
and shines bright as the sign of your faithfulness,
which in Christ Jesus our Lord you promised would last for eternity.
And so, with all the Powers of heaven,
we worship you constantly on earth, while,
with all the Church, as one voice we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Jesus my Lord and my brother,
who brought divine Life out of human death,
you are meeting me here and now in this place,
in this moment. I pause to remember
that the one thing I desire above all others
is for you to be with me.
Though I cannot receive you here and now
in the Mass, come into my heart,
and open my eyes to your sacred presence…
I offer myself to you in service.
Time to receive the Lord’s Presence spiritually.
“My Jesus, I believe that You are present
in the Most Holy Sacrament of the altar.
I love You above all things, and I desire
to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment receive You
sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my
heart … I embrace You as if You were already
there, and unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from You,”
Eternal God, in Christ you make yourself a guest.
Amid all my cares and concerns
make me attentive to your voice
and alert to your presence,
that I may know your love
that surpasses all else,
and share it with others.
God the Father, who has given to his Son the name above every name, strengthen us to proclaim Christ as Lord; and may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy Spirit, come down upon us and remain with us for ever. Amen.
THE ANGELUS The angel of the Lord brought tidings unto Mary. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord. Be it unto me according to thy word. Hail Mary....
And the Word was made flesh. And dwelt amongst us. Hail Mary...
Pray for us, O holy Mother of God. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts, that as we have known the Incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his Cross and Passion we may be brought unto the glory of his Resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us proceed in peace. Thanks be to God.
