A PRAYER SERVICE AT HOME
WHEN ATTENDANCE AT MASS IS NOT POSSIBLE

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time — October 17, 2021

In these times when not all feel free to gather together as a Christian Community to celebrate Mass, let us unite ourselves spiritually to the Mass as it is being celebrated in our churches.

One way you can do this by joining broadcast Masses on radio, television, or via the internet.

This resource is offered to provide a ritual by which families, "the domestic church," can keep the Lord's day holy by joining together to celebrate part of the Church's liturgy at home. Ideally, the head of the family will lead the service; other members of the family should take on roles as readers.

It would be appropriate to celebrate this service at the usual time the family would attend Mass. If possible, prepare a suitable prayer space with a crucifix, holy picture and/or a candle or two. If the family is blessed with musical talent, hymns would be appropriate.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

GREETING

PENITENTIAL ACT

  • Leader:
  • We place our trust in Christ Jesus who gave his life as a ransom.

After a pause for silent reflection, the leader continues.

  • Leader:
  • Lord Jesus, all your work is done in faithfulness.
    Lord, have mercy.

  • All:
  • Lord, have mercy.
  • Leader
  • Christ Jesus, all the earth is full of your love.
    Christ, have mercy.

  • All:
  • Christ, have mercy.
  • Leader
  • Lord Jesus, we wait for you, our help and shield.
    Lord, have mercy.

  • All:
  • Lord, have mercy.

GLORY TO GOD

  • All:
  • 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),
    Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
    in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

COLLECT

  • Leader:
  • Let us pray.

    Almighty ever-living God,
    grant that we may always conform our will to yours
    and serve your majesty in sincerity of heart.
    Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
    who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
    God, for ever and ever. Amen.

  • All:
  • Amen.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

FIRST READING

  • Reader:
  • A Reading from the Prophet Isaiah

    The Lord was pleased
    to crush him in infirmity.
    If he gives his life as an offering for sin,
    he shall see his descendants in a long life,
    and the will of the Lord shall be accomplished through him.

    Because of his affliction
    he shall see the light in fullness of days;
    through his suffering, my servant shall justify many,
    and their guilt he shall bear.

    The Word of the Lord.

  • All:
  • Thanks be to God.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

  • Reader:
  • Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

  • All:
  • Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

  • Reader:
  • Upright is the word of the Lord,
    and all his works are trustworthy.
    He loves justice and right;
    of the kindness of the Lord the earth is full.

  • All:
  • Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

  • Reader:
  • See, the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,
    upon those who hope for his kindness,
    To deliver them from death
    and preserve them in spite of famine.
  • All:
  • Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

  • Reader:
  • Our soul waits for the Lord,
    Who is our help and our shield.
    May your kindness, O Lord, be upon us
    who have put our hope in you.
  • All:
  • Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.

SECOND READING

  • Reader:
  • A reading from the Letter to the Hebrews

    Brothers and sisters: Since we have a great high priest who has
    passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold
    fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who
    is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has
    similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin.

    So let us
    confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and
    to find grace for timely help.

    The Word of the Lord.

  • All:
  • Thanks be to God.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

  • Cantor:
  • Alleluia! Alleluia!
  • All:
  • Alleluia! Alleluia!
  • Cantor:
  • The Son of Man came to serve and to give
    his life as a ransom for many.
  • All:
  • Alleluia! Alleluia!


GOSPEL

  • Leader:
  • A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark

    James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." He replied, "What do you wish me to do for you?" They answered him, "Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left." Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I A.M. baptized?" They said to him, "We can." Jesus said to them,

    "The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I A.M. baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared." When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.

    Jesus summoned them and said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

    The Gospel of the Lord.

  • All:
  • Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

REFLECTION

  • Reader:
  • Daily Meditation: Mark 10:35-45

    Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left. (Mark 10:37)

    James and John didn't quite get it, but then again neither did the other apostles! To their credit, James and John did believe that Jesus would reign in glory. They had heard him predict his passion (Mark 10:32-34), and seemed to believe that some kind of glory would follow whatever suffering Jesus had foretold. And they wanted to be part of it. They wanted to have seats of honor right next to Jesus' throne.

    Maybe these two saw Jesus' passion and death as just one step in the process — a sad but necessary step toward their own glory. They seemed to miss the fact that giving himself up for us defined the mission of Jesus, and it characterized his kingdom. Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). He wanted James and John — and all his followers — to understand that his glory was at its height when he emptied himself. His followers would be counted as great to the extent that they imitated his attitude, humbling themselves and becoming the servants of all (10:43-44).

    So what will it look like when Jesus comes in glory? The Book of Revelation describes a heavenly throne room with Jesus looking like a lamb that had been slain (5:6). In heaven, he still bears the marks of his sacrifice, and the angels and saints praise him for the beauty of his humble self-gift. The lofty throne James and John were imagining was actually more like an altar of sacrifice than a seat of government.

    As you come to Mass today, know that the glorious Lord, the Lamb of God, is offering himself to you once again in the sacrifice of the Eucharist. There is glory in this sacrifice, in his life poured out for you. Let it inspire you to go and pour yourself out for others.

    Lord, let me see your glory today!

PROFESSION OF FAITH

  • All:
  • 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:

    [All bow during these two lines:]
    and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
       and become 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.

GENERAL INTERCESSIONS

  • Leader:
  • As a community called to love and service,
    let us approach the Lord with confidence.

  • Reader:
  • The response will be: Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the Church: (pause)
    that we embrace both the dying and the rising in our daily lives
    and grow into a fuller sharing of new life in Christ.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the Synod on Communion, Participation, and Mission: (pause)
    that we may open our hearts to Holy Spirit
    and participate in furthering the life and mission of the church.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For all who exercise authority: (pause)
    that they may use their authority to free those
    who are unjustly restrained, call forth the gifts of others,
    and lead others to wholeness and service.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the grace of detachment: (pause)
    that God will free us from the bonds of our egos
    and attachment to power and prestige
    so that we may make service of others our priority.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the grace to surrender pride: (pause)
    that we may honestly appreciate our gifts and weaknesses, and surrender our false sense of self to God who heals all weaknesses.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For a deeper identification with Christ: (pause)
    that in times of temptation we may look to Christ who was tempted
    in every way but who remained the faithful Child of God.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the sick, especially those for whom
    we have been asked to pray, particularly,
    those who are placed in quarantine and isolation, (pause)
    that God's healing touch may bring them comfort and peace.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For all our sisters and brothers who have died, especially, . . . (pause)
    that they experience the joy of God's heavenly family for all eternity.

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Reader:
  • For the prayers we now make in the silence of our hearts, (pause)

    We pray to the Lord.

  • All:
  • Lord, hear our prayer.
  • Leader:
  • God Most High, you heard the cry of your suffering servant.
    We rely on your mercy and favor as we seek help in time of need.

    We ask this through Christ our Lord.

  • All:
  • Amen.

LORD'S PRAYER

  • Leader:
  • Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us.
  • All:
  • 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.

    Amen.


SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

  • All:
  • My Jesus, I believe that you are present
       in the most Blessed Sacrament.
    I love You above all things
       and I desire to receive You into my soul.

    Since I cannot now 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.

    Amen.

PRAYER OF BLESSING

  • Leader:
  • St Michael, the Archangel, Protect and Pray for us.
  • All:
  • Amen.
  • Leader:
  • The Lord bless us and keep us; the Lord make his face shine on us and be gracious to us; the Lord turn his face toward us and give us his peace both now and forever.
  • All:
  • Amen.
  • Leader:
  • In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
  • All:
  • Amen.
SOURCES

Lectionary for Sunday Mass
© 1998, 1997, 1970, Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, DC

Prayers at Home When Gathering for Mass Is Not Possible
© 2020, the Diocese of Clonfert and the Diocese of Elphin, Ireland

The Roman Missal © 2011, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC

Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest: Leader's Edition
© 2007, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC

The Word Among Us, © 2020 The Word Among Us.