The Lord has gathered us here,
however different we may be from one another,
to become one in him and to be a sample
of the unity in variety of the whole Church.
May the one Lord of all unite us
and be always with you. 

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Who Will Be Saved?

We are accustomed to go to Mass on Sundays and we hear the Lord speak his Word to us in the readings of the scriptures. Is that an insurance good enough to make us faithful Christians, to prove that we belong to the Kingdom of God? Outward practices and statements are not enough. We belong there if we try to be good Christians who do their best to live their faith. Jesus’ message and life must become visible in us by the way we love God in our everyday life, and serve him in our neighbor. This is the way, whoever we are, from wherever we come, that Jesus will recognize us as his disciples.

B. Many Will Come From East And West

Everyone likes to go to a house where the doors are always open in welcome. That is how Jesus wants the Church to be: a house of welcome open to anyone. Jesus says of himself that he is the gate or the door. He welcomes all who seek him and even goes out of his way to look for people. But at the same time the door is narrow. We have to make an effort to become like Jesus and to serve and love God and people with him and to live in the spirit of the Gospel. With Jesus we now thank the Father, and ask that we too may be open to all.

First Reading                                      Isaiah 66:18-21  

A reading from the book of Isaiah

Thus says the LORD: I know their works and their thoughts, and I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory.  I will set a sign among them; from them I will send fugitives to the nations: to Tarshish, Put and Lud, Mosoch, Tubal and Javan, to the distant coastlands that have never heard of my fame, or seen my glory; and they shall proclaim my glory among the nations. They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the LORD, on horses and in chariots, in carts, upon mules and dromedaries, to Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the LORD, just as the Israelites bring their offering to the house of the LORD in clean vessels.  Some of these I will take as priests and Levites, says the LORD.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 117:1, 2

Response: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Praise the LORD all you nations; glorify him, all you peoples!
Response: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

For steadfast is his kindness toward us, and the fidelity of the LORD endures forever.
Response: Go out to all the world and tell the Good News.

Second Reading                                       Hebrew 12:5-7, 11-13

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters, You have forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: “My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges.” Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it.

So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                           Luke 13:22-30

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough. After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from. And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’ Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.  Depart from me, all you evildoers!’ And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God. For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting

Glory and honor to our Risen Lord,
whose victory over death
was shared first by her
who was closest to him,
his Mother, the Virgin Mary.
May her Son, the Lord Jesus, be always with you. 

Introduction by the Celebrant (Three Options)

A.     Faithful To The Word
We are happy to celebrate today Mary’s Assumption. Here is someone we love very much, someone who lived our everyday life in a way that totally responded to God’s plan. If only we too, like Mary, could recognize in the events and tasks of every day the Word and the call of God! In this Eucharist let us ask Jesus that like Mary we may be close to him and that she may inspire us to be completely open to the Lord.
(or)

B.     Mary Victorious With Her Son
On today’s feast of the Assumption we honor Mary not merely for a great privilege. We celebrate God’s victory in her faith, her poverty, and her unassuming service. As she was sure of God’s love, her faith prompted her to accept the unexpected. Humbly and without reservation she served God’s plans. She followed her Son in his life and his passion. This is why she is the first of all believers and the model of what the Church is called to be and what is in store for us. This is why she was the first to share in the total victory of her Son over death and is with him in heaven, body and soul. Let us thank God today for Mary.
(or)

C.     Mary’s Song Is Also Ours
Today we rejoice for one of us who has reached her destination. It is Mary’s great feast, the feast of her Easter, Our Lady’s Assumption. On earth she went the way of Jesus, she lived the beatitudes wholeheartedly, and now she shares in Jesus’ glory. The Assumption is for us a sign of hope. It reminds us that we too are called to share with her in Jesus’ victory if we are willing to share with her in the humble faith and service of the poor and the lowly in the kingdom of God. Let us celebrate!

First Reading                                      Revelation 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab  

A reading from the book of Revelation

God’s temple in heaven was opened, and the ark of his covenant could be seen in the temple.  A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth. Then another sign appeared in the sky; it was a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on its heads were seven diadems. Its tail swept away a third of the stars in the sky and hurled them down to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman about to give birth, to devour her child when she gave birth. She gave birth to a son, a male child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. Her child was caught up to God and his throne. The woman herself fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed One.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 45:10, 11, 12, 16

Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

The queen takes her place at your right hand in gold of Ophir.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

Hear, O daughter, and see; turn your ear,
forget your people and your father’s house.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

So shall the king desire your beauty; for he is your lord.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

They are borne in with gladness and joy; they enter the palace of the king.
Response: The queen stands at your right hand, arrayed in gold.

Second Reading                                       1 Corinthians 15:20-27

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians

Brothers and sisters: Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through man, the resurrection of the dead came also through man. For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end, when he hands over the Kingdom to his God and Father, when he has destroyed every sovereignty and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death, for “he subjected everything under his feet.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 1:39-56

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” And Mary said: “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant. From this day all generations will call me blessed: the Almighty has done great things for me and holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation.  He has shown the strength of his arm, and has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever.” Mary remained with her about three months and then returned to her home.

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See Heb 3:14)

The Lord Jesus is here with us.
We are all partners with him
if we hold on to the trust
we had in the beginning.
May he always be with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Stand Ready In Faith

It is surprising how many people live in fear: fear of illness, fear of losing their beloved ones, fear of their own death, fear of today, fear of tomorrow. Jesus assures us: “Do not fear! Do not give up your hope! Have faith!” Even when we go through difficult days, we should never give up our faith and hope; we should always stay alert to the Lord and to his loving coming among us. In this Eucharist we ask the Lord to keep us always attentive to his presence.

B. God Is With Us

If we knew from the beginning the difficulties we would have to cope with before we could bring something to a good end, would we have had the courage to begin the work? And even then we fail at times. Yes, we would have done it and do it again if we had faith and hope and strength of character. That is what faith and hope are all about: to do what we have to do, to go on even if we are working in the dark, for if we have faith we know we are not alone. God is with us, there is a promise and a future, and the dawn will come. In this Eucharist we ask the Lord to sit with us at table and to give us strength.

First Reading                                                  Wisdom 18:6-9  

A reading from the book of Wisdom

The night of the passover was known beforehand to our fathers, that, with sure knowledge of the oaths in which they put their faith, they might have courage. Your people awaited the salvation of the just and the destruction of their foes. For when you punished our adversaries, in this you glorified us whom you had summoned. For in secret the holy children of the good were offering sacrifice and putting into effect with one accord the divine institution.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 33:1, 12, 18-19, 20-22

Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance.
Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him, upon those who hope for his kindness, To deliver them from death and preserve them in spite of famine.
Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us who have put our hope in you.
Response: Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.

Second Reading                                       Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-12

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Hebrews

Brothers and sisters: Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen. Because of it the ancients were well attested.

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; he went out, not knowing where he was to go. By faith he sojourned in the promised land as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs of the same promise; for he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and maker is God. By faith he received power to generate, even though he was past the normal age —and Sarah herself was sterile—for he thought that the one who had made the promise was
trustworthy. So it was that there came forth from one man, himself as good as dead, descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sands on the seashore.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 12:32-48

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.

“Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.  Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.”

Then Peter said, “Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?” And the Lord replied, “Who, then, is the faithful and prudent steward whom the master will put in charge of his servants to distribute the food allowance at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master on arrival finds doing so. Truly, I say to you, the master will put the servant in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, to eat and drink and get drunk, then that servant’s master will come on an unexpected day and at an unknown hour and will punish the servant severely and assign him a place with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Readings – 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

01 Aug. 2010

Greeting (See Second Reading)

There is only Christ:
he is everything
and he is in everything.
He has brought us back to true life.
May his grace and peace be with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. What Are We Living for?

What do we consider most important in life? The message of today confronts us with this question. And it is basic for our Christian living. Are there more important things for us than money, goods, and power? Do we find love of God and neighbor, friendship and affection, and concern for each other greater and lasting and worthy of living for? What is the answer we give Jesus today?

B. What Brings Us Happiness That Lasts?

We all need the things that are necessary for life, but our human experience keeps reminding us again and again of what Jesus told us in the Gospel long ago: accumulating riches does not bring happiness! The joy of living does not depend on full granaries or fat bank accounts. The quality of life and its joy depend rather on how much we love the Lord and one another and on how far we can share what we have. That is how we become rich in the sight of God. In this Eucharist we ask our Lord that he bring us joy and happiness along with his friendship.

First Reading                                      Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23  

A reading from the book of Ecclesiastes

Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities!  All things are vanity!

Here is one who has labored with wisdom and knowledge and skill, and yet to another who has not labored over it, he must leave property. This also is vanity and a great misfortune.  For what profit comes to man from all the toil and anxiety of heart with which he has labored under the sun? All his days sorrow and grief are his occupation; even at night his mind is not at rest. This also is vanity.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                                        Psalms 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17

Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.”

For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past, or as a watch of the night.
Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

You make an end of them in their sleep; the next morning they are like the changing grass, Which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and fades.
Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants!
Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness, that we may shout for joy and gladness all our days. And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours;
prosper the work of our hands for us! Prosper the work of our hands!
Response: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Second Reading                                               Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians

Brothers and sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Stop lying to one another,
since you have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all and in all.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 12:13-21

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”  Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land produced a bountiful harvest.  He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall tear down my barns and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!”’ But God said to him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Readings – 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

25 July 2010

Greeting (See Rom 8:14-15)

Those are sons and daughters of God
who are led by the Spirit of God.
We have received a Spirit
who makes us God’s children
and who make us cry out: Father!
May this Spirit be always with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Speaking To Our Father

The first lengthy prayer we learned as children, and the prayer we still pray most often, is probably the “Our Father.” Is it more than a formula to us? Is it to us, as it was for Jesus, a word of warmth and tenderness, and a cry of trust and close relationship? With Jesus we stand here before our Father and with the Spirit in our hearts we call out: “Father, our Father!”

B. Put Your Life In Your Prayer

It would perhaps be much easier for us to pray if prayer would not be just a compartment in life, some moments we reserve for certain places and occasions and times of special needs. Prayer is less a way of obtaining favors from God than a way of expressing to our Father in heaven, to Jesus or to the Spirit our trust in God, speaking about our life, our difficulties and our joys, entrusting to God those who are dear to us in life or in death and even recommending to him those who cause us trouble. And remember, in praying we do not try to bend God to our will but we ask that we may do his will. How long ago have we prayed this way?

First Reading                                                  Genesis 18:20-32  

A reading from the book of Genesis

In those days, the LORD said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.”

While Abraham’s visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham.  Then Abraham drew nearer and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?  Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” The LORD replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”  Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! What if there are five less than fifty innocent people?  Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” He answered, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.” But Abraham persisted, saying “What if only forty are found there?” He replied, “I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty.” Then Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on.  What if only thirty are found there?”  He replied, “I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there.” Still Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?”  The LORD answered, “I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.” But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                                        Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise.

When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me; against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Second Reading                                                 Colossians 2:12-14

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians

Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 11:1-13

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See Rom 8:14-15)

Those are sons and daughters of God
who are led by the Spirit of God.
We have received a Spirit
who makes us God’s children
and who make us cry out: Father!
May this Spirit be always with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Speaking To Our Father

The first lengthy prayer we learned as children, and the prayer we still pray most often, is probably the “Our Father.” Is it more than a formula to us? Is it to us, as it was for Jesus, a word of warmth and tenderness, and a cry of trust and close relationship? With Jesus we stand here before our Father and with the Spirit in our hearts we call out: “Father, our Father!”

B. Put Your Life In Your Prayer

It would perhaps be much easier for us to pray if prayer would not be just a compartment in life, some moments we reserve for certain places and occasions and times of special needs. Prayer is less a way of obtaining favors from God than a way of expressing to our Father in heaven, to Jesus or to the Spirit our trust in God, speaking about our life, our difficulties and our joys, entrusting to God those who are dear to us in life or in death and even recommending to him those who cause us trouble. And remember, in praying we do not try to bend God to our will but we ask that we may do his will. How long ago have we prayed this way?

First Reading                                                  Genesis 18:20-32  

A reading from the book of Genesis

In those days, the LORD said: “The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great, and their sin so grave, that I must go down and see whether or not their actions fully correspond to the cry against them that comes to me. I mean to find out.”

While Abraham’s visitors walked on farther toward Sodom, the LORD remained standing before Abraham.  Then Abraham drew nearer and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?  Suppose there were fifty innocent people in the city; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it for the sake of the fifty innocent people within it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to make the innocent die with the guilty so that the innocent and the guilty would be treated alike! Should not the judge of all the world act with justice?” The LORD replied, “If I find fifty innocent people in the city of Sodom, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”  Abraham spoke up again: “See how I am presuming to speak to my Lord, though I am but dust and ashes! What if there are five less than fifty innocent people?  Will you destroy the whole city because of those five?” He answered, “I will not destroy it, if I find forty-five there.” But Abraham persisted, saying “What if only forty are found there?”
He replied, “I will forbear doing it for the sake of the forty.” Then Abraham said, “Let not my Lord grow impatient if I go on.  What if only thirty are found there?”  He replied, “I will forbear doing it if I can find but thirty there.” Still Abraham went on, “Since I have thus dared to speak to my Lord, what if there are no more than twenty?”  The LORD answered, “I will not destroy it, for the sake of the twenty.” But he still persisted: “Please, let not my Lord grow angry if I speak up this last time. What if there are at least ten there?” He replied, “For the sake of those ten, I will not destroy it.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                                        Psalms 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with all my heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth; in the presence of the angels I will sing your praise; I will worship at your holy temple and give thanks to your name.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Because of your kindness and your truth; for you have made great above all things your name and your promise.

When I called you answered me; you built up strength within me.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

The LORD is exalted, yet the lowly he sees, and the proud he knows from afar.
Though I walk amid distress, you preserve me; against the anger of my enemies you raise your hand.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Your right hand saves me. The LORD will complete what he has done for me;
your kindness, O LORD, endures forever; forsake not the work of your hands.
Response: Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.

Second Reading                                                 Colossians 2:12-14

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians

Brothers and sisters: You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.  And even when you were dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he brought you to life along with him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us, with its legal claims, which was opposed to us, he also removed it from our midst, nailing it to the cross.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 11:1-13

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See First Reading)

May the Word of God be very near to us
in our mouths and in our hearts,
and may Jesus, the living Word and our Lord,
always be with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. The Law Is In Your Heart

Love is the core and meaning of life; it is also the summit of the commandments. We know this. But the question is: How genuine and deep is our love? The test will be how far we are willing to be inconvenienced by it, to “lose” time for it, to go out of our way for it, and to have a heart for strangers and misfits too. Jesus is with us here: he was moved with compassion at the sight of sinners, the sick and the suffering. Let us ask him, the first Good Samaritan, to make us good neighbors to all who need us.

B. Prove Yourself A Neighbor

It is easy to pray for all the people who are suffering and in need, but Jesus asks of us today: “What do you do for them?” It is easy if we have the means to just write a check and send it, for then we are not bothered any further. But Jesus asks us: “Are you willing to make personal contact and to make your hands dirty for them?” We ask Jesus today for the heart and the will to make ourselves the neighbors of the needy.

First Reading                                                  Deuteronomy 30:10-14  

A reading from the book of Deuteronomy

Moses said to the people: “If only you would heed the voice of the LORD, your God, and keep his commandments and statutes that are written in this book of the law, when you return to the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul.

“For this command that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you.  It is not up in the sky, that you should say, ‘Who will go up in the sky to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ Nor is it across the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and tell us of it, that we may carry it out?’ No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts; you have only to carry it out.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                Psalms 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37

Response: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God!

In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.

Answer me, O LORD, for bounteous is your kindness:

 in your great mercy turn toward me.
Response: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. 

I am afflicted and in pain; let your saving help, O God, protect me.
I will praise the name of God in song, and I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
Response: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. 

“See, you lowly ones, and be glad; you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor, and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.”
Response: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live. 

For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah.  

The descendants of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
Response: Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.

Second Reading                                       Colossians1:15-20

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Colossians

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile all things for him, making peace by the blood of his cross through him, whether those on earth or those in heaven.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                             Luke 10:25-37

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” He said in reply, You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” He replied to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.”

But because he wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight. He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them. Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction, ‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you, I shall repay you on my way back.’ Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” He answered, “The one who treated him with mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See Second Reading)

Peace and mercy to all
who become new in Christ.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Disciples Must Be Missionaries

How many people belong to our Church? Catholics number less than 18% of the world population. Yet Luke says that Jesus tells us today: “The harvest is rich but there are few laborers. Pray to the Lord to send us harvesters.” And then, whom does Jesus send? Not just the leaders, but the disciples too. And where are they sent? To all nations and to all peoples, for they are seventy-two, as many as there were peoples known in those days. And how are they sent? In all humility receiving the people’s hospitality and kindness and proclaiming to them the Kingdom of God. Let us ask Jesus to make us suitable messengers.

B. Without Means of Power

When Jesus sends out his disciples, they are not sent with powerful means to impress people with or to buy their allegiance. No force, no money, not even people who are influential, renowned, and learned. Just simple disciples, ordinary people. They have to go out with no other riches than the Good News of Jesus, his message of joy to the poor. They also should not be choosy to whom they go: in all simplicity they present themselves to anyone willing to listen, depending on the good will of people and their hospitality. Let us become missionaries of Jesus by the way we live.

First Reading                                                  Isaiah 66:10-14c  

A reading from the book of Prophet Isaiah

Thus says the LORD: Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad because of her, all you who love her; exult, exult with her, all you who were mourning over her! Oh, that you may suck fully of the milk of her comfort, that you may nurse with delight at her abundant breasts! For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river, and the wealth of the nations like an overflowing torrent. As nurslings, you shall be carried in her arms, and fondled in her lap; as a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; in Jerusalem you shall find your comfort.

When you see this, your heart shall rejoice and your bodies flourish like the grass; the LORD’s power shall be known to his servants.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20

Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name;
proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. 

“Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!”
Come and see the works of God, his tremendous deeds among the children of Adam.
Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy. 

He has changed the sea into dry land; through the river they passed on foot;
therefore let us rejoice in him. He rules by his might forever.
Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me.
Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his kindness!
Response: Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

Second Reading                                       Galatians 6:14-18

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  For neither does circumcision mean anything, nor does uncircumcision, but only a new creation.  Peace and mercy be to all who follow this rule and to the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make troubles for me; for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                 Luke 10:1-9

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

At that time the Lord appointed seventy-two others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. He said to them, “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest. Go on your way; behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves. Carry no money bag, no sack, no sandals; and greet no one along the way.  Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a peaceful person lives there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.  Stay in the same house and eat and drink what is offered to you, for the laborer deserves his payment. Do not move about from one house to another. Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you, cure the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God is at hand for you.’”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ has called us to freedom,
to serve God and one another.
May his liberating Spirit be always with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. On The Way With Jesus

A farmer who looks back while he is plowing will certainly make crooked furrows and perhaps not plow some parts of the field at all. Jesus invites us again today to follow him and to do so by going his way, not our crooked one. Once we have accepted his invitation, we should not look back to regret our choice or to dwell on past mistakes. Let us go ahead with Jesus, also when the going is rough. We ask the Lord to give us the strength to follow him all the way.

B. Radical Discipleship

When we hear the radical demands that Jesus makes on those who want to follow him, we think perhaps that these are for people with special vocations, like missionaries and religious. They are meant for every disciple. Once we follow him, we have to be consistent. We have to love even when it demands sacrifices. We have to love even enemies. We have to be honest through and through. But if we can do this, we will see how happy and free this makes us. We ask the Lord that we may follow him always.

First Reading                                                  1 Kings 19:16b, 19-21  

A reading from the first book of Kings

The LORD said to Elijah: “You shall anoint Elisha, son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah, as prophet to succeed you.”

Elijah set out and came upon Elisha, son of Shaphat, as he was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen; he was following the twelfth. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak over him. Elisha left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, “Please, let me kiss my father and mother goodbye, and I will follow you.” Elijah answered, “Go back! Have I done anything to you?” Elisha left him, and taking the yoke of oxen, slaughtered them; he used the plowing equipment for fuel to boil their flesh, and gave it to his people to eat. Then Elisha left and followed Elijah as his attendant.

 The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11  

Response: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge; I say to the LORD, “My Lord are you.

O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup, you it is who hold fast my lot.”

Response: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

I bless the LORD who counsels me; even in the night my heart exhorts me.

I set the LORD ever before me; with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.

Response: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, my body, too, abides in confidence

 because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,

nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.

Response: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

You will show me the path to life, fullness of joys in your presence,

the delights at your right hand forever.

Response: You are my inheritance, O Lord.

Second Reading                                       Galatians 5:1, 13-18

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.  For you were called for freedom, brothers and sisters. But do not use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh; rather, serve one another through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement, namely, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. But if you go on biting and devouring one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. I say, then: live by the Spirit and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh. For the flesh has desires against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you may not do what you want. But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                 Luke 9:51-62

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

When the days for Jesus’ being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, and he sent messengers ahead of him.  On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they journeyed to another village.

As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”  Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”

And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.” But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead. But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” To him Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See Second Reading)

We are all sons and daughters of God
through faith in Christ Jesus;
we belong to Christ.
May we also follow Christ our Lord
and may his strength be with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Jesus’ Identity And Ours

Jesus asks of us, his disciples today, “You, who do you say I am?” I hope that we can say with Peter that for us he is Jesus, our Savior. This is a very important question for us, for our own identity depends on it. Who are we? We are Christians, followers of Christ, and therefore people who try as much as we can to become like him. And that will include also at times that we have to bear the cross with him. But don’t you worry: he is our “com-pan-ion” in life, literally, the one who breaks bread with us.

B. No Following Jesus Without The Cross

Everyone without exception meets in life pain, sickness, suffering, and at the end, death. Do we have to say that these are good or look at them as the will of God? The will of God is our happiness! With Jesus going through his agony in the garden, we do not glorify suffering. But with him we learn to accept it where it can help us to grow as persons, where it can serve our love for God and people. And we are sure that pain does not have the last word. We ask Jesus that we may follow him all the way.

First Reading                                                  Zechariah 12:10-11; 13:1

A reading from the second book of Samuel

Thus says the LORD: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo. On that day there shall be open to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, a fountain to purify from sin and uncleanness.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                            Psalms 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9  

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 

O God, you are my God whom I seek; for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts like the earth,

parched, lifeless and without water.

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary to see your power and your glory,

For your kindness is a greater good than life; my lips shall glorify you.

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. 

Thus will I bless you while I live; lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.

As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied, and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

You are my help, and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.

Response: My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Second Reading                                       Galatians 3:26-29

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters: Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person,

there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                 Luke 9:18-24

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”

Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” 

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

Greeting (See Second Reading)

It is not our own life we should live
but the life of Christ who lives in us.
Christ loves us
and he sacrificed himself for our sake.
May his forgiveness and peace be always with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. A Meal Of Forgiveness

We know from experience that a meal is a great opportunity for reconciliation and forgiveness. Sharing the same table means accepting one another, forming community, letting bygones be bygones. The meal of the Eucharist is an encounter with the forgiving Christ and with one another in peace. This is why we have in the Eucharist a penitential act, the Our Father, an acclamation to the Lamb of God who takes our sins away, the sign of peace. At the very heart of the celebration we remember how Christ shed his blood so that sins may be forgiven. Let us celebrate this Eucharist in a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation.

B. Friendship Forgives

If we admit a person into our home and especially when we invite him or her to eat with us, it means that we fully accept this person. Is this always true? Here at the table of our Lord Jesus, he accepts all of us, the weak and the strong; he brings forgiveness and life to all and calls us all to praise the Father with him. He does not judge us, for he simply wants to be with us and to be our companion in life. Do we welcome one another in the same way?

First Reading                                                   2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13

A reading from the second book of Samuel

Nathan said to David: “Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king of Israel. I rescued you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your lord’s house and your lord’s wives for your own. I gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were not enough, I could count up for you still more. Why have you spurned the Lord and done evil in his sight? You have cut down Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you took his wife as your own, and him you killed with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.’ Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.”

Nathan answered David: “The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                             Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 7, 11  

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. 

Blessed is the one whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Blessed the man to whom the LORD imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. 

I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. 

You are my shelter; from distress you will preserve me; with glad cries of freedom you will ring me round.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. 

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you just; exult, all you upright of heart.

Response: Lord, forgive the wrong I have done. 

Second Reading                                       Galatians 2:16, 19-21

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians

Brothers and sisters: We who know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. For through the law I died to the law, that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God; for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.  

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                  Luke 7:36-50

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him, and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table. Now there was a sinful woman in the city who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee. Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment, she stood behind him at his feet weeping and began to bathe his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” “Tell me, teacher, ” he said. “Two people were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty. Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both. Which of them will love him more?” Simon said in reply, “The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.” He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”

Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven because she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” The others at table said to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.

16 May 2010

Greeting

The Risen Lord Jesus now lives
in the glory of the Father.
Through the Spirit of courage and love
may he always be with you.

Introduction by the Celebrant

A. Glorious, Yet Still With Us

When someone good and close to us has died, we feel that this person is still with us and keeps inspiring and guiding us. When at his Ascension Jesus left his disciples and passed to the glory of heaven, he became to his disciples more than a memory of a great person who had died. First, he is still alive as the Risen Lord; second, he is gone but he stays with us by his Spirit of strength, wisdom, and love and in this way he is our companion in life. He still speaks his Word to us, he still gives himself to us as our food and drink, and he is alive in our communities. Listen to him present among us here and let him nourish us with his Word and his Body.

B. An End And A New Beginning

Jesus had gone ahead of us and shown us the way in his preaching and the way he lived: this is what should inspire us, this is how we should live, like Jesus. In his death he showed us the way of faithful love. He was the first to rise from the dead and our assurance that we too will rise. In his ascension he went ahead of us to live in the joy of the Father. In all these steps he is a living invitation: Come, follow me where I go. I am waiting for you after you have continued my work. In this Eucharist we say in the Creed: “I believe in the resurrection of the dead and the life everlasting.”

First Reading                                                   Acts 1:1-11

A reading from the book of Acts

In the first book, Theophilus, I dealt with all that Jesus did and taught until the day he was taken up, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. He presented himself alive to them by many proofs after he had suffered, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.  While meeting with them, he enjoined them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for “the promise of the Father about which you have heard me speak; for John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”  When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has established by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. While they were looking intently at the sky as he was going, suddenly two men dressed in white garments stood beside them. They said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.”

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm                             Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9

Response: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

All you peoples, clap your hands, shout to God with cries of gladness,

For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome, is the great king over all the earth.

Response: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

God mounts his throne amid shouts of joy; the LORD, amid trumpet blasts.

Sing praise to God, sing praise; sing praise to our king, sing praise.

Response: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

For king of all the earth is God; sing hymns of praise.

God reigns over the nations, God sits upon his holy throne.

Response: God mounts his throne to shouts of joy: a blare of trumpets for the Lord.

Second Reading                                       Ephesians 1:17-23

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians

Brothers and sisters:  May the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, give you a Spirit of wisdom and revelation resulting in knowledge of him. May the eyes of your hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe, in accord with the exercise of his great might: which he worked in Christ, raising him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens, far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this age but also in the one to come.  And he put all things beneath his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way. 

The word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

Gospel                                                              Luke 24:46-53

The Lord be with you.  And also with you.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.  Glory to you, Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.   And behold I am sending the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

Then he led them out as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and they were continually in the temple praising God.

The Gospel of the Lord.  Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ.