Liturgy Alive Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Opening Prayer

Lord our God,
your Son Jesus was born of a Jewish mother;
he loved his people and his country
and wept over Jerusalem.
We pray you today for men and women
willing to give the best of themselves
to our people and country
and capable of building community.
Help them to use their potentials
for bringing out the best in others
to the benefit of all.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Liturgy of the Word

First Reading Introduction
In the Old Testament, too, we find enthusiastic, dedicated leaders, giving the best of themselves to God and country. Nehemiah has a good, secure function at the court of Artaxerxes, as butler - often a confidential job. Hearing alarming reports about the disorganized Jews in Palestine after the exile, he does not want to keep his administrative competency to himself or to serve at a pagan court. He asks the king for permission to give the best of himself to his people and country. He goes to Jerusalem, rebuilds the walls of Jerusalem and the Jewish community, works for social justice, and gets the city and country of God's people going again.

Gospel Introduction
Jesus gave himself totally to his mission. He asks the same radical commitment to the kingdom of God of justice and love not only of his apostles but also of all who "follow" him - of us. A "radical" commitment is asked, that is, going to the roots in the depths of our being; it must be consistent, it is a commitment that does not look back but that has its eyes on both the present and the future.

General Intercessions
- For our public officials, that they may respect God's laws, work for the well-being of all citizens and guests, and commit themselves to justice and integrity, we pray:
- For all our people, even the humblest, that they take an active interest in public affairs, vote for honest, responsible and capable leaders, respect just laws and promote peace, we pray:
- For our beautiful country, so rich in human and natural resources, that all may fully use their talents to make us great and be good stewards of nature's bounty, we pray:

Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
you give us your Son Jesus Christ
as the model and source
for being ourselves in his image.
Make us aware of our riches,
of our potentials and also our liabilities,
that we may mobilize all our energies
to commit ourselves to the adventure
of becoming and being a people.
And may we be your people, Lord,
now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we dream of authenticity,
of our identity as a people,
of seeing our human aspirations fulfilled.
May our values and hopes
be in conformity with yours;
perfect and surpass them in Christ
and keep us open to all that is great and good,
that we may take with dignity
our place in the concert of nations
and in the unity in diversity
of your people on earth.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.

Blessing
We are not only citizens of heaven but also citizens of our own country. We love it. May also you serve it as best as you can, with the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.