Saint Finbar (c.550 – c.620)
Green
He was Bishop of Cork in the 6th century and is patron saint of the city and diocese.
Entrance Antiphon
I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any distress, I will hear them, and I will be their Lord for ever.
Collect
O God, who founded all the commands of your sacred Law upon love of you and of our neighbour, grant that, by keeping your precepts, we may merit to attain eternal life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.
First reading: Proverbs 30:5-9
Every word of God is unalloyed, he is the shield of those who take refuge in him. To his words make no addition, lest he reprove you and know you for a fraud. Two things I beg of you, do not grudge me then before I die: keep falsehood and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches, grant me only my share of bread to eat, for fear that surrounded by plenty, I should fall away and say, ‘the Lord – who is the Lord?’or else, in destitution, take to stealing and profane the name of my God.
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:28,72,89,101,104,163
R/ Your word is a lamp for my steps, O Lord.
My soul pines away with grief; by your word raise me up. The law from your mouth means more to me than silver and gold.
Your word, O Lord, for ever stands firm in the heavens: I turn my feet from evil paths to obey your word.
I gain understanding from your precepts and so I hate false ways. Lies I hate and detest but your law is my love.
Gospel Acclamation:
Col3:16a,17
Alleluia, alleluia! Let the message of Christ, in all its richness, find a home with you; through him, give thanks to God the Father. Alleluia!
Gospel: Luke 9:1-6
Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there. As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’ So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.
Prayer over the Offerings
Receive with favour, O Lord, we pray, the offerings of your people, that what they profess with devotion and faith may be theirs through these heavenly mysteries. Through Christ our Lord.
Communion Antiphon: Ps 118: 4-5
You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.
Prayer after Communion
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those you renew with this Sacrament, that we may come to possess your redemption both in mystery and in the manner of our life. Through Christ our Lord.
Meditation
The Twelve had to learn the hard way. They had to literally abandon all for the One who is all. In order to carry out this unconditional love and serve towards other people, it requires a radical approach. Detachment from worldly goods can only be achieved if there is attachment on what is above. The Twelve began to preach and to cure because they experienced a life that was lived to the full in Christ Jesus. Jesus was quite aware of the people’s material needs when he sent his apostles out on their first missionary journey. Even though he instructed them to travel unencumbered, taking with them not even a change of clothes, he also instructed them to proclaim the reign of God and to heal the afflicted. The mission of the Church is to pass on this truth about God which God has made known to us. The best way we can teach others about what we believe in is by the witness of how we live, rather than by anything we say. Like St. Francis of Assisi would say : ‘let us go and preach the gospel; and if necessary, use words.’