Fr. VINOD MASCARENHAS SDB
INTRODUCTORY RITES
Gather together as a family/ community. Create an environment appropriate for prayer (dress appropriately – switch off your phones – place lighted candles on the altar or a suitably-covered table…). You may sing or play an appropriate hymn. For instance:Christ, Be Our Light (https://youtu.be/JhQ0_XMUtvQ)The Sign of the Cross
Leader: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God forever.
All: Blessed be God forever.
Leader: Sunday is called the Lord’s Day because it was on this day that Jesus conquered sin and death and rose to new life. While we are not able to celebrate the Eucharist today and receive Communion, let us be united in spirit with the Church around the world and celebrate our redemption in Christ’s suffering, death, and resurrection.We pray especially for all those affected by the corona-virus: for those ailing and those who have died; for healthcare professionals and caregivers; for those at airports; for civic officials…
Opening Prayer
Leader: God of all creation, we gather on this first day of the week made holy by the resurrection of Christ. In the waters of baptism, we were buried with him so that we might also rise with him and so share his victory over sin and death.
You have transformed our lives into the living stones that form your Church with Christ as the foundation stone. Strengthen our community’s bond of communion and peace during this uncertain time, and deepen our solidarity with your Church throughout the whole world.
Fill our homes with the spirit of the Gospel and give us the grace to see the true face of the people with whom we live. In a world torn by fear, sin and division make us instruments of reconciliation and mercy.
May we who celebrate Christ’s resurrection this day share in his eternal glory where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
All: Amen.
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
Readings
The readings and psalm are those assigned for the day in the Lectionary for Mass. Preferably use a Bible to proclaim the readings.1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032220.cfm
Reflection on the Readings
Use one of the following ways to reflect on the Readings.
Lectio Divina
Place yourself in the story of the man born blind. Pick a phrase or a sentence that strikes you (For instance: I was blind and now I see). Silently repeat the phrase. Meditate on what this phrase means to you at this point in your life; or what God is telling you through his word.
Sunday Snippets
Author John Griffin was blinded in an explosion during World War II. Twelve years later, he suddenly began to see what he described as “red sand”. A specialist later told him that a block to an optic nerve had abruptly cleared causing him to see. Commenting on his experience, Griffin said: “You can’t imagine what it is like for a father to see his children for the first time.”
The blind man of the gospel had an experience similar to Griffin’s: after Jesus anoints the man and he washes in the pool, a son saw his parents for the first time! He saw more than his parents; he saw Jesus as his Lord. While his physical sight was instantaneously restored, his spiritual sight grew in stages: Jesus is the man called Jesus, a prophet, a man of God, and finally Lord.
The Pharisees/Jews make an opposite journey; they become increasingly blind. They expel the man from the synagogue. Even his parents disassociate themselves from him out of fear.
For the evangelist, this is not merely another miraculous cure. John is writing to a community that is experiencing rejection from Jewish society. Through this sign, he presents the blind man as a model of spiritual growth to encourage them to continue to “see” Jesus as their Lord.
Like the blind man, we have been anointed and washed in the waters of baptism. Have I grown in my faith response to Jesus: do I “see” him as my Lord… or is he merely a man, a prophet, a man from God? Am I ready to risk rejection in my desire to see Jesus?
Questions to Ponder
Reflect on some (or all) of the following questions (share your reflections if you wish!):
Reading 1: When was a time that a first impression about someone (no names!) or something was proven to be far from the reality? Was there ever a time in your life when something seemingly insignificant made a significant impact? How do you wish to be judged by others? How can we better “look into the hearts” of others?
Psalm: What are the “dark valleys” that we face in our lives right now? What are the “green pastures” and “safe waters” that God has provided? In what other ways have you experienced the abundance of God in your life?
Reading 2: What does it mean to be called “a child of light?” Are there any “fruitless works of darkness” in your life that need to be exposed? How can you continue to grow in your spiritual journey, moving from “darkness” to “light”?
Gospel: Who is someone you admire because they are overcoming a disability? Has there ever been a physical or emotional misfortune in your life that has turned into an opportunity for the demonstration of God’s power? Has your faith ever made you feel outcast? How do you answer the question “Why?” concerning pain or suffering in your life? When did you first see Jesus as the light of your world?
Profession of Faith
Recite either the Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed
Prayer of the Faithful
Leader: With faith in God’s promises, let us now present our needs and petitions.
Reader: For the holy Church: that all of us may serve as beacons of light in this world during difficult times, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For civic leaders: that they may make the right decisions to combat the corona-virus and its effects, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For people living with disabilities: that they may cope with the effects of their disability, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For all healthcare workers, care-givers, and for all who work to heal those suffering from corona-virus in every way: that the Lord protect them from all harm, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For those preparing for the Easter Sacraments: that they may walk in the light of Christ and reflect that light to others, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For all who have died, especially victims of the corona-virus pandemic, and for their loved ones, and for all who have died to rise in glory on the last day, we pray to the Lord…
Reader: For all of us: that we may look beyond appearances and attempt to see the face of Christ in all people, celebrating diversity and promoting the gifts each person brings, we pray to the Lord…
Leader: God of love, our refuge and our strength, hear the prayers of your Church, and grant us what we ask of you in faith. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
All: Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
All: Jesus, I know and believe in your real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist. It is you I desire to love and receive above all things. As I am unable to receive your sacramental presence now, come and be with me in heart and soul. Let my entire self be united with you as I welcome you again and know your loving embrace. Amen.
THANKSGIVING
The act of thanksgiving may be a song, hymn, psalm, canticle, or litany. For instance:Thank You, Lord (https://youtu.be/pQztFd6W1fs)Adapted from the website of the Diocese of Camden.
CRI of Dimapur Zone (CRIDimapur) 