Celebrating Sunday @ Home

While we cannot gather to celebrate the Eucharist, consider using the resources and structure below to create a Sunday liturgy for you or your family. While you could follow and use each part, see what comes naturally to you. As you begin, this may feel awkward, especially if your household is not used to praying together. That’s okay! Practice will help. Think about adding more meaningful parts to your Sunday liturgy as you go along. 

Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

16 August 2020

Create a Prayer Space

Gather items from around your house to create a prayer space. Consider making it a permanent addition to your home. You might set a table with a beautiful cloth or scarf with a crucifix or cross, statues or images of Jesus or the saints, candles, flowers from the yard (that children can pick and bring), a family Bible or prayer book, holy water, religious images for children to draw or color, paper and pencils or your prayer journal. 

Opening Song

Sing together one of your favorite church songs. You can probably find the words online or search YouTube for music help.

  1. There's a wideness in God's mercy like the wideness of the sea.
    There's a wideness in God's justice which is more than liberty.
    There is plentiful redemption in the blood that has been shed.
    There is joy for all believers in the sorrows of the head.
  2. For the love of God is broader than the measures of our mind.
    And the heart of the eternal is most wonderfully kind.
    If our love were but more faithful, we should rest upon God's word,
    and our lives would be thanksgiving for the goodness of our Lord.

Make the Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

Read Scripture

Assign each member of the household a reading. Or, if there are too many readings, consider reading the Gospel. 

Reflect on Scripture

What is God saying to you today? Find words, phrases or images in the reading that speak to you. Savor the words and pray with them. What could God be inviting you into? Or use the homilies and discussion questions below to help prompt you:

Holy Trinity Homily

Catholic Women Preach Homily

Sunday Reflections from Catholic Theological Union
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Homily from Anne McGowan, PhD (Click link for text)

Reflection Questions for Adults

  • The Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, urges us to "observe what is right, do what is just." Consider and name the injustices in our world, community, workplaces and households. How might God be calling you to advocate for justice in these places? Name one, achievable way you wish to advocate for justice.
  • The Canaanite woman is persistent in her request that Jesus heal her daughter. Where are you called to persistence in prayer? What does such persistence feel like to you? How do you think God receives such persistent prayer?

Reflection Questions for Young People

  • When was a time when you did what was right and avoided what was evil? How did it make you feel? Is it always easy to do what is right?
  • What sacrifices are you willing to make to do what is right and good and to follow God?

Discern God's Invitation

After hearing what God has to say to you, let your reflection move you to action by considering what God is inviting you to do in your relationships with God, with others, and with yourself.

What will you do differently today, this week? 

Music for Reflection

Music often helps us to enter into prayer. Consider listening or singing along to this or another one of your favorite church songs.

 

 

Share Prayer Intentions

Choose someone to read the parish’s Prayers of the Faithful below or, even better, ask your household for whom and for what you should pray. 

That the Church continually reach out to those in need of God’s love and invite them to share in the joy of Christ. We pray to the Lord...

That our nation may experience a healing from the wounds of racism, prejudice, and hate that comes from justice. We pray to the Lord...

That we begin to see our enemies and those who dislike us as children of God. We pray to the Lord...

That those who feel excluded or marginalized in our Church begin to know Christ’s love for all people through us. We pray to the Lord...

That immigrants and refugees find in us a ready welcome, transforming strangers into neighbors. We pray to the Lord...

That the sick know the healing power of God. We pray to the Lord...

That the dead rejoice forever in God’s presence. We pray to the Lord...

Say the Lord’s Prayer

Jesus taught us to pray always, and so we have the courage to say:

Our Father who art in heaven…

Close with Prayer and Gratitude

Close your prayer giving thanks for God’s closeness to you. 

Lord Jesus, we know that you are with us always, until the end of time. Since we are unable to come to the Eucharist today, remind us of your presence that surrounds us at all times. Fill our hearts with the joy of your presence and unite us in love with all people. Make us mindful of those in need and inspire us to help them. Keep us and all of our loved ones in your care. We give you thanks always for your great love. For what are you grateful?

When all have shared, make the Sign of the Cross:

May almighty God bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us one day to everlasting life. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.