First reading
Exodus 32:7–11, 13–14
The Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 50(51):3–4, 12–13, 17, 19
R. I will rise and go to my father.
Second reading
1 Timothy 1:12–17
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.
Gospel acclamation
2 Corinthians 5:19
God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself; and the Good News of reconciliation he has entrusted to us.
Gospel
Luke 15:1–32
There will be rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner.
Images from the Word
- Welcome sinners
- Rejoice with me
- One repentant sinner
- This people of yours
- Inexhaustible patience
Liturgical notes
Now the centre and summit of the entire celebration begins, namely, the Eucharistic Prayer, that is, the prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. The priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the Prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §78
The presiding celebrant invites the community to lift up their hearts. Do we hear this invitation with attention? Our response, ‘We lift them up to the Lord’, is a clear reminder that the assembly has a very significant part to play in the eucharistic prayer. Without this contribution by the assembly of their hearts lifted up to the Lord, there is no content to the prayer proclaimed by the presider. His role is to present to God the many gifts of this assembly, but each of us has to make our contribution. With these many gifts of the community affirmed, the presider begins the preface with the affirmation, ‘It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation.’ Out of this rich offering by the members of the assembly, he continues to lead the prayer.
‘How precious is your mercy, O God! The children of men seek shelter in the shadow of your wings.’
—communion antiphon