PRIEST: We hear today how Jesus tries to teach his disciples about the paradoxes of the Gospel: the New Way that Jesus walks – the path of greatness that travels always through the Cross. He urges us to walk with weakness: our own and others, and to discover the joy of serving with humble love. He challenges us to learn from the child that true greatness is love alone! Let us confess the poverty of our love and the violence of our world…
READER: For the wars and violence of our world,
for the angers and aggression in our hearts, `
for the greed of voracious desires…
LORD HAVE MERCY…
For our refusal to serve,
for building up our own esteem at the expense of others’ dignity,
for not wanting to get involved…
CHRIST HAVE MERCY…
For resisting the cross in our lives,
for lacking gentleness with the weakness of others or our own,
for every form of selfishness…
LORD HAVE MERCY…
PRIEST: May the God of compassion embrace us with the tenderness of mercy;
may Jesus forgive us and set us free to serve;
may the Spirit heal us into deeper love and make us ambassadors of reconciliation;
and bring all creation to everlasting life…
AMEN!