✠In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
We come to God as one from whom no secrets are hidden,
for forgiveness and peace. 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 COLLECT FOR THE DAY
God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, you may nurture in us what is good and, by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. 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: James 1: :17-18. 21-22. 27
It is all that is good, everything that is perfect,
which is given us from above;
it comes down from the Father of all light;
with him there is no such thing as alteration, no shadow of a change.
By his own choice he made us his children
by the message of the truth so that we should be
a sort of first-fruits of all that he had created.
Accept and submit to the word which has been planted in you and can save your souls. But you must do what the word tells you,
and not just listen to it and deceive yourselves.
Pure unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this:
coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it,
and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 14
Response: The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
Lord, who shall dwell on your holy mountain?
He who walks without fault;
he who acts with justice
and speaks the truth from his heart.
The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
He who does no wrong to his brother,
who casts no slur on his neighbour,
who holds the godless in disdain,
but honours those who fear the Lord.
The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
He who keeps his pledge, come what may;
who takes no interest on a loan
and accepts no bribes against the innocent.
Such a man will stand firm for ever.
The just will live in the presence of the Lord.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia, alleluia!
Your words are spirit, Lord, and they are life:
you have the message of eternal life Alleluia!
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
(Mark 7:1-8. 14-15. 21-23)
The Pharisees and some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem
gathered round Jesus, and they noticed that some of his disciples
were eating with unclean hands, that is, without washing them.
For the Pharisees, and the Jews in general, follow the tradition of the
elders and never eat without washing their arms as far as the elbow;
and on returning from the market-place they never eat without first
sprinkling themselves. There are also many other observances which
have been handed down to them concerning the washing of cups
and pots and bronze dishes.
So these Pharisees and scribes asked him,
“Why do your disciples not respect the tradition of the elders
but eat their food with unclean hands?”
He answered, “It was of you hypocrites that Isaiah
so rightly prophesied in this passage of scripture:
This people honours me only with lip- service,
while their hearts are far from me.
The worship they offer me is worthless,
the doctrines they teach are only human regulations.
You put aside the commandment of God
to cling to human traditions.”
He called the people to him again and said,
“Listen to me, all of you, and understand
Nothing that goes into a man from outside can make him unclean;
it is the things that come out of a man that make him unclean.
For it is from within, from men’s hearts, that evil intentions emerge:
fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit,
indecency, envy, slander, pride, folly.
All these evil things come from within and make a man unclean.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ
HOMILY
It seems Jesus and His Disciples got into trouble again.
The Pharisees seemed to make it their business
to police Jesus and His followers.
They were, after all, threatened by this radical, popular teacher,
who seemed to have the knack
of pulling the rug from under their feet,
especially in matters of interpretation of the Law of Moses,
which again and again Jesus appeared to re-interpret,
and not in a way to their liking.
In this morning’s passage from Mark it sounds as if Jesus said
that there was no need for Kosher rules regarding diet.
Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside
cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach,
and goes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he declared all foods clean.)
“Thus He declared all foods clean”
may well have been a later addition, in order to be inclusive
to Jewish and non-Jewish followers of Jesus in the early Church.
This morning’s version of the lectionary is a bit sanitised.
It misses the powerful and graphic way
in which Jesus points out to the Pharisees
the uselessness of tradition practiced without love.
What does it matter,
whether hands are washed in a certain way or not,
as long as the behaviour of a person is motivated by love?
Tradition which ignores the discipleship demand of love in all things
is useless. Jesus says it in this way: (the NRSV captures it better)
Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside
cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach,
and goes out into the sewer?
Actions without love are merely “sewer fodder”.
(Jesus would have said it in a stronger, more-direct fashion!)
You can wash your hands all you like in a Kosher sort of way,
but it’s all to no avail if evil intentions like
fornication, theft, murder,
adultery, avarice, wickedness,
deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly,
any of these, exclude rather than exude love.(Mark 7:20-23).
According to Jesus, rules are important,
but will only be of benefit if love is at the root of them.
Rules regulate the unruly,
but rules administered without love and compassion, are worthless.
James emphasises in the reading we have from him today
the importance of putting what we hear into practice.
“Be DOERS of the word , not just hearers:
Pure unspoilt religion, in the eyes of God our Father is this:
coming to the help of orphans and widows when they need it,
and keeping oneself uncontaminated by the world.
Both James and Jesus are saying the same–
rules are necessary, and if loving purpose is at the root,
then words become good deeds,
and God’s will will be done,
here on earth as well as in heaven.
True faithfulness is not about clean hands,
but a heart shaped by the radical, self-giving love of God in Christ;
a heart, a mind and a will that recognises our need of God.
"God, you have made us for yourself,
and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you…..."
NICENE CREED
I believe in one God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL (Bidding Prayers)
Let us pray to God, who alone makes us dwell in safety:
For refugees and displaced persons, particularly those fleeing Afghanistan:
that God will guide them to safety, protect them on their journeys, and help
them find welcome in new communities;
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For greater respect for and stewardship of earth’s resources:
that we may treasure the natural resources that God has given us
and wisely use them for the good of the human family
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For an end to the pandemic: that God will curtail the surge in the Covid virus,
send healing to all who are ill, and give strength and courage
to all medical personnel
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For safety in schools: that God will watch over teachers and pupils,
protect students from the Covid virus, violence, and bullying,
and help all to grow in knowledge and self-awareness
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For peace: that the Spirit will renew the dedication of those working for peace
and help all to work together to defeat the common enemies of disease,
ignorance, and poverty
Lord, hear us,
Lord, graciously hear us.
For the vulnerable and the fearful, for the gravely ill and the dying, that they may know your comfort and peace: Lord, hear us, Lord, graciously hear us.
We pray for those whom we love but no longer see;
✠ Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord,
and let light perpetual shine upon them.
May they rest in peace, and rise in glory
Pray with us for peace,
Mary, Our Lady of Peace
to the Father,
through your Son,
in the power of the Holy Spirit:
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
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God.
For through the saving Passion of your Son
the whole world has received a heart
to confess the infinite power of your majesty,
since by the wondrous power of the Cross
your judgment on the world is now revealed
and the authority of Christ crucified.
And so, Lord, with all the Angels and Saints,
we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation 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.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
To be there before you, Lord, that’s all.
To shut the eyes of my body,
To shut the eyes of my soul,
And be still and silent,
To expose myself to you who are there, exposed to me.
To be there before you,
the Eternal Presence.
I am willing to feel nothing, Lord,
To see nothing, to hear nothing.
Empty of all ideas, of all images,
In the darkness.
Here I am, simply,
to meet you without obstacles,
In the silence of faith,
before you, Lord.
M.Quoist ”Before You”
I desire to receive You into the poor dwelling that my heart offers You. While waiting for the happiness of sacramental communion, I wish to possess You in spirit. Come to me, O my Jesus, since I, for my part, am coming to You! May Your love embrace my whole being in life and in death. I believe in You, I hope in You, I love You. Amen. (Cardinal Rafael Merry del Val)
A Time of quiet reflection, in which to receive the Lord’s Presence spiritually.
Christ, who nourishes us with himself,
make us one in praise and love,
and raise us up at the last day;
and 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 bless the Lord; Thanks be to God.
Comments