SONG: Come to me © by Gregory Norbet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAW5G8u-nWsCome to me all who labour and are heavy burdened, and I shall

give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of

heart, and you’ll find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my

burden is light.You God are my shepherd I shall never be in need.Fresh and green are the meadows where you give me rest

Beside peaceful waters you restore my true self,There you lead my to walk in the path of new life.

SIGN OF THE CROSS: In name of the Father… OR Ki te ingoa…Tēnā Koutou Katoa . Welcome everyone. Today is the 22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time and Tuesday this week, the 1st of September, is World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation” – and the start of “Season of Creation. Pope Francis has invited us, the faithful, to participate in this annual “season of increased prayer and effort on behalf of our common home”.

READER: Let’s now come thoughtfully before our God who is generous in every way. For times we have not noticed nature’s beauty; Lord have mercy (All) Lord have mercyFor times we have neglected gratitude; Christ have mercy

(All)Christ have mercyFor times we have forgotten the incarnate presence; Lord have mercy (All) Lord have mercy

Liturgy of the Word 22nd Sunday Ordinary TimeLectio Divina – Holy Listening

Lectio Divina, or Holy Listening is promoted as a way of hearing God’s Word. It is listening with the heart.1. Listen attentively as the Word is read, or as you read it.2. Notice any word or phrase that seems to stand out or makes you think or feel something. Hold on to it mentally.3. When the reading is finished, steadily repeat that word of phrase in your mind, almost as if you are taking it for a walk.4. When that time of prayer is ended, just let the words go.In this prayer, we come to meet our God who walks with us. When we encounter the Word

Liturgy CentreCatholic Diocese of Auckland August 30th

READER: These photos are all taken in Auckland. Discuss. What can we say about the place God has given us to live?READER: Let’s pray.READER: Wonderful God ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: You are present in the whole universe ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: And in the smallest of creatures ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: With tenderness you embrace all that exists ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: You give us the power of your love ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: So that we might share your work ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: Of loving and protecting life and beauty ALL: we praise you and thank youREADER: For the wonder of creation, the joy of appreciation, and the call to share your work of giving and protecting life, Wonderful God, we give you thanks and praise, ALL: AmenPause for a time to reflect.

COLLECT/OPENING PRAYER: Let us now bring to mind all we want to pray for. (Allow silence, 1 minute) God of might, giver of every good gift, put into our hearts the love of your name, so that, by deepening our sense of reverence, and by your watchful care, keep safe what you have nurtured. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. All: Amen.

FIRST READING: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Allow a time of silence after the reading. (1-2 minutes).You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped;you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.All the day I am an object of laughter;everyone mocks me.Whenever I speak, I must cry out,violence and outrage is my message;the word of the LORD has brought mederision and reproach all the day.I say to myself, I will not mention him,I will speak in his name no more.But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,imprisoned in my bones;I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.ALL: Thanks be to God: Silence: Consider: Have I ever felt like Jeremiah feels in this passage?

PSALM: Psalm 63 My soul is thirsting, my soul is thirsting, my soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgFoPDyc8aI

SECOND READING: Romans 12:1-2 Allow a time of silence after the reading (1-2 minutes).I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.Do not conform yourselves to this agebut be transformed by the renewal of your mind,that you may discern what is the will of God,what is good and pleasing and perfectALL: Thanks be to GodSilence: What does ‘renewal of your mind’ mean?

GOSPEL: Matthew 16:21-27Jesus began to show his disciplesthat he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatlyfrom the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,and be killed and on the third day be raised.Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,“God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.”He turned and said to Peter,“Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”Then Jesus said to his disciples,“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny themself,take up their cross, and follow me.For whoever wishes to save their life will lose it,but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.What profit would there be for one to gain the whole worldand forfeit their life?Or what can one give in exchange for his life?For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory,and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”The Gospel of the Lord.ALL: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.

SILENT REFLECTION: Recall a few words from the readings that seemed to stand out as you read or listened. Sit quietly and let these words go over and over in your mind – Lectio Divina.THEN, DISCUSS / CONSIDER: We are called transformation, to continual conversion. Taking up our cross or losing one’s life for Christ’s sake are both calls to an ongoing journey of conversion. Am I open to this call? What makes it hard? What do I want to hold back? How do the calls to ‘take up our cross’ and ‘care more for our planet’ relate to each other? End with a little more time in silence.

Prayer of the Faithful – we pray for the needs of the *Church and the world.For the Church – that the Word of God is always proclaimed with confidence and clarity and received with openness. (Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.For world leaders – that they ensure the religious freedoms of all people within their countries. (Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.For all Christian people – that as they take up their cross and follow Jesus, they overcome what separates them and become more manifestly, the one Body of Christ.

(Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.For people who suffer from the pandemic – that the grieving be consoled, the sick healed, the jobless employed and the pandemic ended. (Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.For Aotearoa New Zealand in this election year – that those standing for election act with integrity, are motivated by a desire to serve, and seek to build a society that is just and cares for its most vulnerable.(Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.For a greater response to care for our Common Home - that each of us will act to protect creation and actively seek to live more sustainable lifestyles. (Silence) Reader: E te Ariki All: Whakarongo mai rā ki a mātou.O God hear our cry. May our minds be renewed and may we, through our lives speak your Word and follow your lead. We ask this through Christ in the unity of the Holy Spirit … Amen

READER: Let’s pray together ‘A Prayer for our Earth’ which is from From Laudato Si’. All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures. You embrace with your tenderness all that exists. Pour out upon us the power of your love, that we may protect life and beauty. Fill us with peace, that we may live as brothers and sisters, harming no one. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER: We pray the prayer Jesus gave us.

COLLECTION: Part of our commitment as Christian is to give to those in need. Think about what you might like to make a donation to or offer to

help in another way. Below are some ideas.

Thank you for your kindness. Thank you for your participation. Let us go in peace to love and serve God –All: Thanks be to God.

SONG: The Blessing Aotearoa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZQPifs2kjo

- Your Parish: your parish and presbytery still have operating costs.- The Caring Foundation Covid-19 appeal to donate, click here- Catholic Social Services Auckland to donate, click here- The Catholic aid agency Caritas to support their work, click here- St Vincent de Paul contact your parish or click here