First reading
Deuteronomy 30:10–14
The Law is not beyond your strength or beyond your reach.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 68(69):14, 17, 30–31, 33–34, 36–37
R. Turn to the Lord in your need, and you will live.
Second reading
Colossians 1:15–20
All things were created through Christ and for Christ.
Gospel acclamation
cf. John 6:63c, 68c
Your words, Lord, are spirit and life; you have the words of everlasting life.
Gospel
Luke 10:25–37
The good Samaritan
Images from the Word
- My neighbour
- Half dead
- Compassion
- Obey
- Unseen God
Liturgical notes
The celebration of Mass is to be planned
with due regard for the nature and the particular circumstances of each liturgical assembly, the entire celebration is planned in such a way that it leads to a conscious, active, and full participation of the faithful both in body and in mind, a participation burning with faith, hope, and charity, of the sort which is desired by the Church and demanded by the very nature of the celebration, and to which the Christian people have a right and duty by reason of their Baptism.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §18
Participation by all the faithful at Mass is at the heart of its celebration. This needs to be much deeper than simply doing things. Rather, what we do needs to touch our hearts—we need to be ‘living with faith, hope and charity’ as we are engaged by the celebration. From the celebration, we need to move into life, similarly burning to recognise and serve the Christ among us.
‘Look upon the offerings of the Church, O Lord, as she makes her prayer to you, and grant that, when consumed by those who believe, they may bring ever greater holiness.’
—prayer over the offerings