Scripture for Mass
Sirach 24:1-2, 8-12
Psalm 147:12-13. 14-15. 19-20. Response 12a
Ephesians 1:3-6, 15-18
John 1:1-18
PRIEST: We have heard and listened to the word of God and as the crown of splendour in the hand of God we turn to the Lord for the help we need today.
READER: Recognising that we all have special blessings and gifts from the Holy Spirit, we ask the Lord to help us put them to use for the spread his Kingdom. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
We pray for Missionaries throughout the world that they may be seen as a people inspired and led by the Holy Spirit. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Let us pray for Pope Leo and for all young people. May the faith of each be inspired and strengthened and renewed in their vocations, we pray that this new generation may work for peace and reconciliation amongst all nations and peoples. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Let us pray at the beginning of this New year, for the world’s leaders and diplomats that all nations may work together to build a world where justice leads to a real peace and hope. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Let us pray for the poor of the world facing floods, drought and malnutrition, and the effects of the changing climate. May the world’s wealth and abundance be justly shared with all who are in need. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Let us pray for all who are sick and for all who are in hospital that they may be aware that the Lord is with them in their pains. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us.
Let us pray for those who have recently died… and for all our dead… and for all who mourn that they may be comforted. Lord hear us. Lord graciously hear us
Let us ask Mary the Mother of the Lord to pray with us. Hail Mary …
In the silence of our hearts, let us pray for our own families and friends.
PRIEST: Almighty and everliving God, we give thanks for the gifts and blessings of the Holy Spirit. Help us to be ready to share that blessing with all who are in need; we ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) is already impacting our everyday lives in significant ways – and we can only vaguely imagine its potential to dramatically change the future of our world. More and more people are relying on it to draft a written assignment, to prepare a public presentation, or to compose a ‘personal message’ for a particular occasion. Generally, the instantaneous results generated by A.I. in response to these kinds of request are impressive, making us appear well-informed, articulate and expressive. However, deep down we know that such ‘words are cheap.’
In relation to anything that truly matters to us, we want words to convey more than ‘lip service.’ When I ‘give you my word,’ I am not just communicating a message, but I am also committing myself to fulfilling a promise. In our dealings with others, if we ‘can’t count on their word’, then we will experience disappointment, frustration and hurt. On the other hand, by striving ‘to ‘keep our word,’ we build and maintain healthy, trusting relationships. Since such a word, which comes from the core of our being, is life-giving, it is also precious.
God has spoken his Word to our world. That Word, coming from the heart of God, was made flesh in Jesus. We can count on Jesus, therefore, to convey to us the truth about God. Through his life and ministry, his death and resurrection, Jesus makes real and visible to us the unconditional love and mercy of God for all humanity and indeed for all of creation.
God promises us that, through our acceptance of Jesus as God’s own Word made flesh, and by keeping Jesus’ word, we will come to know ourselves as his own children and his heirs. Now, that’s a word that’s worth counting on!
God of wisdom and love, enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we can recognise the extraordinary gift of Jesus, your Word made flesh, whom you have given to our world.
Through our acceptance of your Beloved, grant us the joy of knowing ourselves as your children and your heirs.
During the coming year, deepen our appreciation of the abundant blessings you make freely available to us through our faith in him as our Saviour.
May the darkness of our world be quenched through Christ’s mercy and compassion radiating through us.
We ask this through Christ, our Light.
Amen.
Fr. Tim Mulroy
