LITURGY FOR MISSION SUNDAY 2015

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1 INTRODUCTION: LITURGY FOR MISSION SUNDAY 2015 Readings: Zec 8:20-23; 1Tim 2:1-8; Mk 16:15-20 Today s celebration of Mission Sunday deeply concerns all of us, for mission is the task given to all. The whole Church is mission. We want Christ to be brought to all peoples, that all may be united with him and through him praise the Father of all. The Church will enrich the nations by giving them Christ and his Good News and they will enrich us with the gifts of their culture which they have received from the Lord. Then together we can praise the Lord with one symphony of many voices. OPENING PRAYER: Let us pray. (Pause) God our Father, you desire all men and women to be saved and come to the knowledge of your truth. Send workers to your harvest that the gospel may be preached to every creature. May your people, gathered together by the word of life and strengthened by the power of the sacraments, advance in the way of salvation and love. We ask this through Christ our Lord. LITURGY OF THE WORD: First Reading: (Zec 8:20-23): Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. A reading from the Book of the Prophet Zechariah Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, Come! let us go to implore the favour of the Lord. and, I too will go to seek the Lord. Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favour of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you. - The word of the Lord.

2 Responsorial Psalm: (96:1-2, 3, 7-8, 9-10) R. All you peoples of the earth proclaim the wonders of God. Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all you lands. Sing to the Lord; bless his name. (R) 2. Announce his salvation, day after day. Tell his glory among the nations; among all peoples, his wondrous deeds. (R) 3. Give to the Lord, you families of nations, give to the Lord glory and might; give to the Lord the glory due his name! (R) 4. Bring gifts and enter his courts; bow down to the Lord, splendid in holiness. Tremble before God, all the earth; say among the nations: The Lord is king. (R) Second Reading: (Tim 2:1-8): There is one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as ransom for all A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy Brothers and sisters: First of all, then, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our saviour, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all. This was the testimony at the proper time. For this I was appointed preacher and apostle, teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. It is my wish then, that in every place the men should pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or argument. - The word of the Lord. Gospel Acclamation: (Mk 16:15) Alleluia, alleluia! Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Alleluia! Gospel Reading: (Mk 16:15-20): Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark Jesus said to his disciples, Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned. These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.

3 So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. But they all went forth and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the word through accompanying signs. - The Gospel of the Lord. R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ. PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL: Celebrant: In Baptism God has called us all to be missionaries spreading his message of love, mercy and forgiveness to the ends of the earth, let us therefore pray for wisdom, understanding and love in our hearts to be able to carry out God s mission and bring the Good News to all people: 1. We pray for the Church: that it may play a vital role in bringing peace in the world. Lord hear us. 2. We pray for our brothers and sisters in consecrated life: that they may be faithful to the Gospel and spread the Good News to the ends of the earth by their words and actions. Lord, hear us. 3. We pray for all those who are suffering due to war, violence, hunger and homelessness and especially for the refugees from Syria who do not know what the future holds in store for them and their children. Lord, hear us. 4. We pray for the countries in Europe who are coping with the influx of people trying to escape persecution in their home countries: we ask you to give the leaders and citizens of those countries the generosity and understanding to welcome these refugees. Lord, hear us. 5. We pray for ourselves: Lord in your love and kindness you have given us all we need, help us to extend a helping hand to those who do not have as much as we do. Lord, hear us. 6. We pray for the leaders of our world: that they may have the wisdom and courage to stand up for what is right. Lord, hear us. 7. We pray for families who are torn apart by misunderstanding, hate, revenge and addictions: Lord help them to heal and comfort them in your great mercy. We also pray for those who are sick, suffering and dying. Lord, hear us. Celebrant: Father, you sent your Son among us as a missionary to reveal your wonderful plan of salvation. Through our sharing of the gifts you give us, may we continue to grow in communion with our brothers and sisters throughout the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS: Lord, the suffering and death of Christ your Son won salvation for the world. May the prayers and gifts of your Church come before you and be pleasing in your sight. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

4 Preface VII of the Sundays in Ordinary Time: 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 you so loved the world that in your mercy you sent us the Redeemer, to live like us in all things but sin, so that you might love in us what you loved in your Son, by whose obedience we have been restored to those gifts of yours that, by sinning, we had lost in disobedience. And so, Lord, with all the Angels and Saints, We, too, give thanks, as in exultation we acclaim: Holy, holy, holy Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer: As we join Jesus in his sacrifice, we dream of the day and pray for it that all peoples and nations may be united with us to praise God with one voice. Introduction to the Lord s Prayer: Let us pray to the Father of all that all may know that God is their Father and that his kingdom may come to them. R/ Our Father... Prayer for Peace: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Make all peoples aware that they belong together as your brothers and sisters, under the one Father of all. May they know then that they are called to live in the peace and unity of the kingdom of justice and peace and love where you live with us for ever and ever. Communion Antiphon: Go and tell the people all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age. (Mt 28:20) PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION: Let us pray Lord, make us holy by the Eucharist we share at your table. Through the sacrament of your Church may all peoples receive the salvation

5 your Son brought us through his suffering and death, for he is Lord for ever and ever. SOLEMN BLESSING: Deacon: Bow your heads for God s blessing. (The priest says the solemn blessing with hands outstretched over the people.) - P. May the Lord protect you always and free you from every evil. - - P. May he inspire you to proclaim and witness the good news. (R) - P. May he bless your endeavors for the spread of the Gospel. (R) - p. May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. (R) Let us go in peace to love and serve God and one another.