As the 'apostolic Church' we have all been sent to proclaim the good news' of the world's salvation by God. We have to do this in a variety of ways -- by explicit preaching, by witnessing to the truth of the gospel in our daily lives and by serving others. But the celebration of the Mass is the most 'apostolic' of all our activities. For it is here that we make it abundantly clear that God alone is the source of man's happiness. Being our act of thanksgiving, the Mass is our supreme witness to God's goodness.
Sin is refusal to respond to God's gift. God has given us the mission to communicate his saving love to the world. We are guilty of sin if we fail to carry out this mission in any of the ways which are available to us. Before we begin to proclaim the gospel in this Mass, let us pause a moment to consider those occasions on which we have failed to carry out the mission which God has entrusted to us. Let us also ask him to renew his prophetic spirit within us.
First Reading (Amos 7:12-15). Unlike the professional prophets of his day, Amos does not preach for material gain. He has been sent by God, and thus cannot obey the dictates of man.
Second Reading (Eph. 1:3-14). The first duty of the apostle is to praise and thank God for his work of salvation in a prayer of blessing which is a summary of God's plan for mankind.
The Gospel (Mark 6:7-13). Jesus sends the 'twelve' on a mission which is identical with his. Like him they are to preach repentance and to work authenticating signs.
God has chosen us all to be his apostles, to carry the good news of his salvation to the farthest corners of the universe. In thanking him for this commission, let us ask him for the light and the strength necessary to carry it out.
Response: Lord, help us always.
Lord, give us a true insight into your plan for the salvation of the world, so that we may know what we are called to preach to the world.
Lord, make us be the first to receive the gospel, so that our preaching may be, above all, a witness to others of our own fulfilment in your love.
Lord, give us the strength to change our lives in conformity with the gospel which we have to preach to others.
Lord, prevent us from wasting our time on trying to maintain our status in the world, and make us forget ourselves in your service.
Lord, open all men's minds to the truth of the gospel and draw them into your Church.
We pray that all men may have the courage to make the changes in their lives which will enable them to hear the good news of salvation and achieve complete fulfilment.
Our mission is to establish God's kingdom in this world. We can succeed in this only if we are God's instruments. Let us ask God to make us his true apostles by actively welcoming his kingdom into our own lives in this prayer.
Before we got to the world with the good news of Christ's peace, let us assure one another that we already possess this peace.
Christ is God's apostle par excellence. He came into this world to accomplish his Father's saving plan for the world. By eating his flesh and drinking his blood in the Mass we necessarily share in this saving mission. Just as he chose his first disciples precisely in order eventually to send them to preach the gospel, so he has chosen us precisely in order to be his apostles. The life which we receive in the Eucharist is the life of one who lived and died for others. We cannot commune properly with him unless we, too, are dedicated to live and die for others. Holy communion is a consecration to the apostolate. It is at this moment - more than at any other - that, being united with the one who loved the world to the point of giving himself for it, we should appreciate the extreme degree of our commitment to the preaching of the gospel.
(See variety in the missal for ordinary time.)
We come to Mass to receive a mission to be commissioned in the cause of peace and reconciliation. The final word of the Mass will be Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord.
We have weakened everybody by our divisions. We all stand in need of reconciliation, nations, families, me. So we pray: Lord, you came to reconcile us . . . (Penitential Rite c. IV).
First Reading (Amos 7:12-15). In jealousy Amaziah from one of the traditional priest families rejects the God-given mission and message of Amos the outsider.
Second Reading (Eph 1:3-14). A hymn of wonder and praise because in his love for us God has made us part of his family.
Gospel (Mark 6:7-13). Christ sends his apostles to his people he sends them to those troubled in soul, in mind and in body
We pray today for the same people that Christ was concerned for the Gospel, for disciples and for those to whom disciples are sent,
For today's disciples, for Pope John Paul, for priests and people, for us all lord that we may remember that you sent us and that you are with us. Lord hear us.
For those whom we travel with on our life mission, our own people -Family and friends, that there may be peace among us and that they may' meet you in us. Lord hear us.
For those who have lost you Lord and are far from you, that they may find you again through us. Lord hear us.
For all people in trouble, for the weary in spirit, for the discouraged and despairing, that new hope may reach them through US. Lord hear US.
For those in pain, for those who suffer from depression or worry that you may heal and comfort them. Lord hear us.
For all those who have died that your final purpose may be fulfilled in them and that they may be with you in Paradise. Lord hear us.
Father, you chose us in love and for your own kind purposes. May we not fail you in the lives we lead, and may we not fail those to whom you have sent us. We ask this through him who sent out the first Christians, through Our Lord Jesus Christ.
We pray now to the Father whose love for us was there at our beginning and will never fail us.
Even as we give our sign of peace we fulfil the mission Christ has asked us to share with him for he came as the Prince of Peace.
Lord you have come to us and we thank you. We are your people, often your forgetful people. So much you have given us that we do not even notice, let alone thank you. We are your people, often your deaf and heedless people. So often we have not heard, or have not listened, when you were calling for our help. Lord we are your people, your fearful people. We are afraid of so much, of the future, of losing friends, of love, afraid for our children, afraid of what you might ask of us. Lord, be with us on our journey, be our protection and the stilling of our fears.
[Reprinted with permission from Scripture In Church. These "Celebrant's Guides" are two of seven (7) which are available on the CD-ROM for this Sunday's liturgy. This resource is available through the Homiletic Resource Center for ($129.95) $119.95. It contains a wealth of commentaries, reflections and liturgical resources for each Sunday AND WEEKDAY of the three-year lectionary cycle. I guarantee you'll find something here to jog your homiletic juices whenever you need it! For more info or to order, just click on the link above.]