The Little-Known and Rarely-Done Penitential Rite, Form B

Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you; Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
Assembly: And grant us your salvation.

FILED UNDER: LITURGY

Who Do You Say That I Am?

This is the question Jesus asks his disciples in this Sunday's Gospel. In a similar way, you are being asked the same question when you take up the task of writing invocations for the penitential rite. Who is Jesus for you? Describe Christ for your community? Why is the Son of God important for the world? When you write these invocations, you are putting into words the indescribable relationship between God and God's people through Christ. You are expressing a "christology"--a way of describing, understanding, and knowing Christ. But theology must always start from one's faith, otherwise it's just academic knowledge.

As you practice writing invocations, begin first with prayer and meditative reflection upon the readings. Then ask yourself these questions:

• How do I know Christ? Where and in whom do I encounter Christ?
• Why is Christ important today? for my parish? for our children? for the marginalized? for the poor?
• What are some reasons to give praise to Christ? in my life? in my parish's life? in the world?
• What hurts have been healed? What broken relationships have been mended? What sins have been forgiven? What gives me hope?

Then from out of this spirit of thanksgiving and praise, write your invocations. This exercise may also be a good faith-sharing tool for small groups and families. From the group's reflections, the one responsible for writing the invocations can be inspired and the invocations can be a more authentic confession of praise of the whole community.

FILED UNDER: LITURGY

The LifeBuilder Project

Support…
…Because rulers can be counted, but the impact of homelessness cannot be measured.

EHC LifeBuilders is working hard to reduce the numbers of homeless in our county. In 2004, we helped 13,000 rebuild their lives. Now, we will build a house. In an effort to measure homelessness we will construct a playhouse with 13,000 wooden rulers. By buying a ruler, you become a building block to a better future. For $10, EHC LifeBuilders will dedicate one ruler to the building of the playhouse and send one home with you as a reminder of your role in ending homelessness. For more information or questions please contact Jennifer Porter at jporter@ehclifebuilders.org.

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To purchase rulers please complete this form and include with check or credit card information.

NAME:

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I would like to purchase:
___ Set(s) of Rulers x $10 = $____ Total
___ Set (s) of Gold Rulers x $50 = $ _____ Total
___ Set (s) of Platinum Rulers x $1,000 = $ _____ Total

Credit: (please circle one) Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover

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__Please send my ruler to the above address.
__Please keep my ruler and put it to good use.

Sold by: Bob Dolci

Please mail to: EHC LifeBuilders, Attn: Singles Division, 2011 Little Orchard St., San Jose, CA 95125

FILED UNDER: SOCIAL JUSTICE