First reading
Exodus 20:1–17
The Law given at Sinai.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 18(19):8–11
R. Lord, you have the words of everlasting life.
Second reading
1 Corinthians 1:22–25
The crucified Christ, the power and wisdom of God.
Gospel acclamation
Isaiah 61:1 (Luke 4:18)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me; he sent me to bring Good News to the poor.
Gospel
John 3:16
God loved the world so much, he gave us his only Son, that all who believe in him might have eternal life.
Images from the Word
- Money changers
- A whip
- Zeal
- Lord your God
- God’s weakness
Liturgical notes
Moreover, they are to form one body, whether in hearing the Word of God, or in taking part in the prayers and in the singing, or above all by the common offering of the Sacrifice and by participating together at the Lord’s table. This unity is beautifully apparent from the gestures and bodily postures observed together by the faithful.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §96
Clearly the holy people of God come to Sunday Mass with a high expectation of being served by many ministries. However, all ministers can be consumed by their own importance and lose sight of their call to service of others. The moneychangers of today’s Gospel had a specific liturgical role to play in the temple, but their greed and avarice prevented them from fulfilling their liturgical role and so were condemned. We too need to ensure that we are constantly working selflessly to build the one Body of Christ.
‘My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor’ —entrance antiphon