>>> STS. CORNELIUS and CYPRIAN – Pray for Us!
WOMEN IN THE CHURCH
Introduction
Cornelius (+253) and Cyprian (+258), the first a Pope, the second a Bishop, both asserted the freedom to spread the message of Christ and both paid with their lives for their courage. To them, Christ was worth living for and therefore worth dying for. They preferred their inner freedom, for which Christ had paid the price, to freedom from bodily harm; they witnessed to the right of people to be free from all oppression.
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
your Son Jesus Christ, gave himself totally
for the sake of those he loved – that is for all.
Like him, Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
gave themselves for their flock.
Give us a bit of this unselfish love,
that we too, may learn
that there is more in giving ourselves
than in receiving honor and favors.
May the Spirit make us also so much one,
that we graciously share with one another
our God-given riches and gifts.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen!
1 Reading – 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-20
Brothers and sisters: If Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some among you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then neither has Christ been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then empty too is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. Then we are also false witnesses to God, because we testified against God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised, and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is vain; you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable people of all. But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Responsorial PSALM 17: 1BCD, 6-7, 8B AND 15
R. (15b) Lord, when your glory appears, my joy will be full.
Hear, O LORD, a just suit;
attend to my outcry;
hearken to my prayer from lips without deceit. R.
I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God;
incline your ear to me; hear my word.
Show your wondrous mercies,
O saviour of those who flee
from their foes to refuge at your right hand. R.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings,
But I in justice shall behold your face;
on waking, I shall be content in your presence. R.
Alleluia – Cf. MATTHEW 11:25
Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the Kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel – LUKE 8:1-3
Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources.
Commentary
New Testament scholars confirm that, in comparison with the literary works of the then times, the gospels contain unusually high number of references to women. According to some scholars, of all founders of religions and sects, Jesus is unique in his welcome and affirmation of women. Jesus was humble enough to learn even from a pagan woman – the Syro-Phoenician woman who reminded him that gentiles were not to be excluded from the mercy of God (cf. Mt 15:27). In an age when the testimony of a woman was given only half the weightage of that of a man, Jesus chose Mary Magdalene to be apostle to the apostles, to be the first bearer of the Good News of his Resurrection. Today’s gospel testifies to how women felt free and welcome to be his followers. If Jesus welcomed men and women without any discrimination, our parishes, faith communities, and homes must also become places where women play significant roles in discipleship, evangelization, and leadership.
Intentions
– That the contribution of women to the building up of the community of the Church may be appreciated more, and as well as that of men, we pray:
– That women in the Church may continue to enrich us with the warmth of their gentleness, we pray:
– That women in the Church may inspire us by their sense of welcome, faith and fidelity, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Lord our God,
your Son, Jesus Christ, was close to people
as he is close to you and to us now.
Give us his Spirit,
that we may become close
to those dear to us and entrusted to us,
full of attentions and understanding,
not drawing attention to ourselves
but to him who is in our midst,
Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you made Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
strong and courageous enough
to stand up for their faith
and for the right of their people to worship you.
Give to all of us your Spirit of fortitude
to profess the faith that is our treasure
and to bear witness that we can rely on you,
for we have the promise of Jesus
that he will be with us till the end of time,
and he is our Lord for ever. Amen!
Blessing
The women who accompanied Jesus “served him,” says the Gospel. Jesus was among us as the one who serves, and we, men and women, serve with him. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!