TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Lectionary #147
We need to pray, but prayer is more than a matter of words. Like the Gospel, it should be on our lips, in our minds, and in our hearts. Like Moses, we may even need to embody prayer.
General Intercessions: A Reminder
Since this Sunday's readings underscore the importance of incessant and insistent prayer, today presents an opportunity to evaluate the way in which the general intercessions are prayed in our communities. The prayer of these intercessions is found not so much in the intentions that are announced by the deacon or reader, but rather in the response that is made by the assembly. The litany form of the intercessions suggests strongly that this response should normally be sung, so that the assembly's prayer ("the prayer of the faithful") may have prominence.
Most of the major service books contain simple settings of the assembly's response. The response should not be varied too often, perhaps on a seasonal basis. The deacon or cantor may sing each intercession; or the deacon or reader may read each intention, while the cantor sings a brief invitation to the response.
In preparing the liturgy for this Sunday, ask whether the general intercessions in your parish form a strong litany, and whether they express the community's incessant and incessant prayer to God.
Exodus 17:8-13. The ancient posture of prayer, assumed by Catholic priests for the Eucharistic Prayer, is standing before God with hands raised in petition. Moses assumes this position, but he needs help to maintain himself in prayer, just as we do.
Psalm of the Day: Ps (120) 121. A pilgrimage hymn, sung on the way up into the mountains toward Jerusalem . The psalmist knows that God does not dwell only in the high places or in the Temple , but God is the one who will come to help the faithful.
El Auxilio Me Viene del Señor (Contreraz) Cantos 77
El Auxilio Me Viene del Señor (Manzano) FYC 260
Our Help Comes from the Lord (Joncas) GC 119/RS 164
Our Help Is from the Lord (Cotter) PCY3 49
Our Help Is from the Lord (Guimont) LPMG 147
Our Help Is from the Lord (Janco) PMB 728/WS 197/PRM C99
Our Help Is from the Lord (Murray/Black) CBW 198
Our Help Is from the Lord (Olawski) JS 100/GP 267/MI-BB/SP2 60
Our Help Is from the Lord (Schiavone) JS 1034/LP 179
Our Help Is from the Lord (Schiavone/Gelineau) WOR 951/LPGG 956
Suggested Common Psalm
Ps (129) 130: With the Lord There Is Mercy
2 Timothy 3:4–4:2. Remain rooted in the Scripture. Proclaim the Gospel. If necessary, use words.
Luke 18:1-8. In this parable of contrast, Jesus tells about a judge who is finally worn down by persistent petition and, in the end, acts with justice. God, on the other hand, “will see to it that justice is done . . . speedily.”
Songs for the Liturgy
A Praying Spirit (1,G) LMGM 213
Ask and You Shall Receive (1,G) WC 818/PMB 432
Christian, Do You Hear the Lord? (1,G) WOR 594
*Do Not Be Afraid, v 3 (Ps) JS 731/GP 630/MI-BB
Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ (1,G) HG 23
Faith of Our Fathers (2) WOR 571/CBW 446/WC 799/MI-BB/GC 600/JS 698/RS 726/GP 592/PMB 421/WS 563
God Is My Great Desire (1,G) WOR 581
God's Holy Mountain (1,G) WC 862/PMB 467
Great God of Mercy (1,G) WOR 746/CBW 361
Hold Me in Life (G) JS 702/GC 599/MI-BB/GP 596
How Shall They Hear the Word of God (2) WOR 629
I Call on You, Lord (G) CBW 65
*I Lift My Eyes to the Quiet Hills (Ps) CBW 484
*I Lift My Heart (Ps) WC 804/PMB 437
If You Believe and I Believe (1,G) GC 722/RS 825/JS 839/WC 730/WS 518
Lead Me, Guide Me (1,G) LMGM 168/GC 574/WC 770/RS 712/PMB 397/WS 539
Lord, You Give the Great Commission (2) WOR 470/WC 746/GC 456/CBW 691/JS 452/MI-BB/RS 607/GP 401/PMB 382/WS 528
O God, Our Help in Ages Past (1,G) WOR 579/CBW 644/WC 823/MI-BB/GP 613/LMGM 230/GC 614/JS 705/RS 735/PMB 435/WS 589
O Lord, Hear My Prayer (1,G) GC 586/LMGM 217/CBW 491/RS 718/WC 821/WS 582
Ps 25: To You, O Lord (1,G)
Ps 91: Be with Me, Lord (1,G)
Ps 138: On the Day I Called for Help (1,G)
Remember Your Mercy, Lord (G) MI-BB/GC 885/GP 476
Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (G) WOR 580/CBW 704/WC 819/MI-BB/GC 615/JS 720/RS 728/GP 608/PMB 433/WS 581
Shelter Me, O God (E) MI-BB/GC 636/JS 724/RS 765/CBW 372/GP 626
Song of Good News (2) CBW 561/WC 757/WS 531
Standin' in the Need of Prayer (1,G) LMGM 216/GC 579
Take Christ to the World (2) JS 836/MI-BB/GP 549
Take the Word of Christ with You (2) JS 838/MI-BB/GP 543
The Bearers of the Living Word (2) JS 679
The Church of Christ in Every Age (G) WOR 626/WC 920/JS 843/RS 803
*The Lord Is Near -- Dameans, v 1 (1,Ps,G) GP 606/GC 609
There Is a Longing (1,G) JS 692/GP 620/MI-BB
*We Lift Our Eyes unto the Hills (Ps) CBW 494
Word of God, Come Down on Earth (2) PMB 367
World Peace Prayer (1,G) GC 732
You Are All We Have (1,G) RS 643/GC 505
Your Word Went Forth (2) RS 655