Liturgical Leaflet for an Active Participation in the Celebration of the Eucharist

20 August 2023 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

GOD’S LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS

T he theme of this 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time and Jesus’

merciful attitude toward the Canaanite woman in today’s
Gospel remind us that God’s love knows no boundaries. He is
the Father of all human beings. Consequently, we are all brothers
and sisters. This is the basic truth that grounds the second great-
est commandment, and the challenge we are called to live up to
every day.
Unfortunately, we seem to remember this truth almost only
when disasters strike and victims plead for help. Just as our univer-
sal brotherhood is a reality of every moment, so should its practical
manifestations of solidarity, respect, and love be a characteristic of
our entire life. Let our participation in this Eucharistic celebration
make the universal love of God our inspiration and encouragement
to love everybody at all times.

the Eucharist, let us call to mind and on earth peace to people of

what makes us unworthy to par- good will. We praise you, we bless
ticipate in it, especially our fail- you, we adore you, we glorify
ure to live the commandment you, we give you thanks for your
Entrance Antiphon of universal love preached by great glory, Lord God, heavenly
(To be recited only when no Christ. (Pause) King, O God, almighty Father.
Entrance Hymn is sung.) Lord Jesus Christ, Only Be-
P –You have revealed the love
Turn your eyes, O God, gotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of
of God for all human be- God, Son of the Father, you take
our shield; and look on the face ings. Lord, have mercy!
of your anointed one; one day away the sins of the world, have
All – Lord, have mercy! mercy on us; you take away the
within your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere. P –You came to call all peoples sins of the world, receive our
to conversion. Christ, have prayer; you are seated at the right
Greeting mercy! hand of the Father, have mercy
All –Christ, have mercy! on us. For you alone are the Holy
P – In the name of the Father, One, you alone are the Lord, you
and of the Son, and of the Holy P –You plead for us at the right
alone are the Most High, Jesus
Spirit! hand of the Father. Lord, Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
All – Amen! have mercy! in the glory of God the Father.
P –May the love and peace of All – Lord, have mercy! Amen!
God our Father, the Lord Jesus P –May almighty God have
Christ and the Holy Spirit be mercy on us, forgive us our sins, Collect (Opening Prayer)
with you all! and bring us to everlasting life.
All – And with your spirit! P –O God, who have prepared
All – Amen!
for those who love you good
things which no eye can see,
Penitential Act Gloria fill our hearts, we pray, with the
P –As we prepare to celebrate All – Glory to God in the highest, warmth of your love, so that, lov-

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ing you in all things and above and bless us; may he let his face Gospel Mt 15:21-28
all things, we may attain your shine upon us. So may your Although Jesus is the Savior
promises, which surpass every way be known upon earth; of all mankind, his earthly mis-
human desire. among all nations, your salva- sion was confined to the people
Through our Lord Jesus tion. R. of Israel. Occasionally, however,
Christ, your Son, who lives and * May the nations be glad as we learn from today’s Gospel
reigns with you in the unity of and exult because you rule the passage, he knew how to make
the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and peoples in equity; the nations an exception, thereby showing
ever. on the earth you guide. R. that he was, indeed, the Savior
All – Amen! of Jews and non-Jews alike.
* May the peoples praise
you, O God; may all the peo- P –The Lord be with you!
ples praise you! May God bless All –And with your spirit!
us, and may all the ends of the P –A proclamation from the
earth fear him! R. holy Gospel according to
1st Reading Is 56:1.6-7 Matthew
God intends to gather all 2nd Reading Rom 11:13- All – Glory to you, O Lord!
peoples in a family of nations 15.29-32 At that time, Jesus with-
which “observe what is right and Last Sunday, the apostle drew to the region of Tyre and
do what is just,” love His name, Paul expressed his deep pain Sidon. And behold, a Canaa-
and worship Him in His Temple. over the fact that the Israelites nite woman of that district
Such is the grand plan outlined have not accepted the Gospel. came and called out, “Have
by the prophet Isaiah in today’s Today, he reflects on what this pity on me, Lord, Son of David!
First Reading. can mean in God’s long-term My daughter is tormented by
R – A proclamation from the plan and the fact that, in His a demon.” But Jesus did not
Book of the Prophet Isaiah mercy, God wants all to reach say a word in answer to her.
salvation. His disciples came and asked
Thus says the Lord: “Ob- him, “Send her away, for she
serve what is right, do what is R – A proclamation from the
Letter of Paul to the Ro- keeps calling out after us.” He
just; for my salvation is about said in reply, “I was sent only
to come, my justice, about to be mans
to the lost sheep of the house of
revealed. Brothers and sisters:
Israel.” But the woman came
The foreigners who join I am speaking to you Gen-
and did Jesus homage, saying,
themselves to the Lord, minis- tiles. Inasmuch as I am the
apostle to the Gentiles, I glo- “Lord, help me!” He said in
tering to him, loving the name
ry in my ministry in order to reply, “It is not right to take
of the Lord, and becoming his
make my race jealous and thus the food of the children and
servants – all who keep the sab-
bath free from profanation and save some of them. For if their throw it to the dogs.” She said,
hold to my covenant, them I rejection is the reconciliation “Please, Lord, for even the
will bring to my holy moun- of the world, what will their dogs eat the scraps that fall
tain and make joyful in my acceptance be but life from the from the table of their mas-
house of prayer. Their burnt dead? ters.” Then Jesus said to her in
offerings and sacrifices will be For the gifts and the call reply, “O woman, great is your
acceptable on my altar, for my of God are irrevocable. Just faith! Let it be done for you as
house shall be called a house of as you once disobeyed God but you wish.” And the woman’s
prayer for all peoples.” have now received mercy be- daughter was healed from that
cause of their disobedience, hour.
The Word of the Lord!
so they have now disobeyed The Gospel of the Lord!
All – Thanks be to God!
in order that, by virtue of the All – Praise to you, Lord Jesus
Responsorial Psalm Ps 67 mercy shown to you, they too Christ!
may now receive mercy. For
R –O God, let all the nations God delivered all to disobedi- Homily
praise you! ence, that he might have mercy
upon all. Profession of Faith
The Word of the Lord! (Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed)
All – Thanks be to God! All –I believe in one God, the Fa-
ther almighty, maker of heaven
Gospel Acclamation Mt 4:23 and earth, of all things visible
All – Alleluia! Alleluia! and invisible.
Jesus proclaimed the I believe in one Lord Jesus
Gospel of the Kingdom Christ, the Only Begotten Son
and cured every disease of God, born of the Father be-
among the people. fore all ages. God from God,
* May God have pity on us Alleluia! Alleluia! Light from Light, true God from
20 August 2023
true God, begotten, not made, to their commitment to serve thanks, Lord, holy Father, al-
consubstantial with the Father; all citizens without discrimina- mighty and eternal God, through
through him all things were tion and unfair favoritism. Let us Christ our Lord.
made. For us men and for our pray! R. For by his birth he brought re-
salvation he came down from C –For our parish community newal to humanity’s fallen state,
heaven, (bow)* and by the Holy and our families: May we all trea- and by his suffering, canceled
Spirit was incarnate of the Vir- sure dialogue, be ready to listen out our sins; by his rising from
gin Mary, and became man.* to others and do our best to help the dead he has opened the way
For our sake he was crucified those in need, following the ex- to eternal life, and by ascending
under Pontius Pilate, he suf- ample of Jesus. Let us pray! R. to you, O Father, he has unlocked
fered death and was buried, and the gates of heaven.
rose again on the third day in C –For all of us: May the And so, with the company of
accordance with the Scriptures. thought of God’s great mercy to- Angels and Saints, we sing the
He ascended into heaven and is ward us move us to show mercy hymn of your praise, as without
seated at the right hand of the to everyone at all times. Let us end we acclaim:
Father. He will come again in pray! R. All –Holy, holy, holy Lord, God
glory to judge the living and the C –Let us pray in silence for our of hosts. Heaven and earth are
dead and his kingdom will have personal intentions. (Pause) full of your glory. Hosanna in
no end. Let us pray! R. the highest!
I believe in the Holy Spirit, Blessed is he who comes in
the Lord, the giver of life, who P –Lord God, give us a heart as the name of the Lord. Hosanna
proceeds from the Father and loving as yours, that we may be in the highest!
the Son, who with the Father able to accept, respect and love
and the Son is adored and glori- everybody as our brother and Memorial Acclamation
fied, who has spoken through sister, regardless of social, racial,
political or religious differences. P –The mystery of faith!
the prophets. All –Save us, Savior of the
I believe in one, holy, cath- You who live and reign for
ever and ever. world, for by your Cross
olic and apostolic Church. I
All – Amen! and Resurrection you
confess one Baptism for the
forgiveness of sins and I look have set us free.
forward to the resurrection of
the dead and the life of the world
to come. Amen!

Prayer of the Faithful Preparation of the Gifts All – Our Father . . .

P –We are constantly chal- P –Pray, brethren . . . P –Deliver us, Lord . . .
lenged to mirror God’s love for All – May the Lord accept the All –For the kingdom, the pow-
all. Making this universal love sacrifice at your hands, for the er, and the glory are yours, now
the inspiration of our prayer, let praise and glory of his name, and forever.
us address our petitions to the for our good and the good of all
One who is the Father of us all his holy Church. Sign of Peace
and say: Breaking of the Bread
Prayer over the Offerings
All –We beseech You, Lord, All – Lamb of God, you take
hear us! P –Receive our oblation, O away the sins of the world: have
Lord, by which is brought about mercy on us. (2x)
C –For the Church, God’s fam- a glorious exchange, that, by of-
ily on earth: May she appreci- Lamb of God, you take
fering what you have given, we away the sins of the world:
ate all cultures and keep herself may merit to receive your very
open to receive their contribu- grant us peace.
self.
tion in order to purify and enrich Through Christ our Lord.
them with the divine wisdom of Communion
All – Amen!
the Gospel. Let us pray! R. P –Behold the Lamb of God, be-
Preface IV hold him who takes away the sins
C –For the Holy Father, our of the world. Blessed are those
bishops, and the leaders of all P –The Lord be with you! called to the Supper of the Lamb.
other Christian denominations: All –And with your spirit! All –Lord, I am not worthy
May they all be docile to the P –Lift up your hearts! that you should enter under
promptings of the Spirit as He All – We lift them up to the Lord! my roof, but only say the word
leads all toward an ever-greater P –Let us give thanks to the and my soul shall be healed.
unity of faith and action. Let us Lord our God!
pray! R. All –It is right and just! Communion Antiphon
C –For our political leaders and P –It is truly right and just, our (To be recited only when no
all those who hold positions of duty and our salvation, always Communion Hymn is sung.)
authority: May they be faithful and everywhere to give you With the Lord there is mer-
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)
cy; in him is plentiful redemp- and ever. All – Amen!
tion. All – Amen! P –Go in peace, glorifying the
Lord by your life!
Prayer after Communion All – Thanks be to God!
P – Made partakers of Christ
through these Sacraments, we
humbly implore your mercy, P –The Lord be with you!
Lord, that, conformed to his im- All – And with your spirit!
age on earth, we may merit also P –May almighty God bless
to be his coheirs in heaven. you: the Father, and the
Who lives and reigns for ever Son, and the Holy Spirit.

GODÊS ALL-ENCOMPASSING LOVE AND OURS

by Jess P. Balon

G od is “Father” – Father to all human beings.

And He wants all of them to aim and attain
that which He created them: eternal life with
The immediate need that brings them to Him
may be their need to be healed from a grave
illness, or a demonic possession, as we hear in to-
Him. (See 1 Tim 2:4.) Unfortunately, however, day’s Gospel. But what brings these people to Jesus
sin has been a disruptive factor in human history. is something deeper than the immediate need: it is
God’s plan to bring all men to eternal happiness FAITH – the firm conviction that God is at work in
became a “rescue plan,” and the execution of His Jesus of Nazareth, and he can grant the salvation
plan of salvation had to be actualized by stages. they need.
In God’s “rescue plan” there existed a “core Indeed, God’s redeeming love knows no
group,” the people of Israel, for whom He cared in frontiers, and humble and persevering faith is the
a special manner, because it was from them that “bridge” that enables us to reach out to Him and
be saved by His love. But God’s universal saving
the Savior of mankind would come. But the formal love does not simply bring about our salvation. It also
offer of salvation to all other peoples was to challenges us to love in the same way. This means
take place only through the Church, founded that we, too, should love all human beings, and
by Christ and guided and enlivened by the Holy that our love should be directed to their eternal
Spirit. salvation.
This same Holy Spirit, however, has always The devil, always so resourceful in creating ob-
been at work even among the pagans, gradually stacles to the fulfillment of God’s plan, has been quite
directing them to yearn for the salvation that successful in blinding human beings to their com-
comes from Christ. In ways known to Him alone, mon brotherhood, as well as to the way they should
the Spirit has led every individual and every nation, manifest their love. This is how racism, xenophobia,
through the meanders of history, toward the fulfill- exaggerated nationalism, and all forms of rejection,
ment of the Divine Plan. In the mysterious interplay aggressiveness or exploitation – man’s inhumanity to
of human freedom and divine grace, of man’s man – have become part of certain cultures and have
errors and God’s saving interventions, we wit- caused so much suffering in the course of human
ness the unfolding of the design of an all-encom- history, up to the present.
passing love conceived by divine Wisdom and This is not what the Lord wants. As disciples and
actualized at the proper time. followers of the Redeemer of all human beings, we
Today’s Gospel passage verifies this truth as it must share concretely in his universal and practical
conveys in a dramatic way the wonderful message love. We must, first of all, overcome all temptation
that God loves all. His salvation does not exclude to consider ourselves better than others, and
anyone, though its concrete actualization may even more the temptation to use others for our
have “stages” that do not always coincide with own selfish interests. Then we must muster the
courage we need to be “prophets of universal
our expectations. But, in the end, the great truth love” in a world blinded and poisoned by pride,
shines forth: for those who love God and trust arrogance and hatred. We can make a difference.
in Him, everything works out for their greater We must make a difference, even when we are called
good – everything, including illness and suffering! to pay the highest price.

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