First reading
Isaiah 53:10–11
If he offers his life in atonement, what the Lord wishes will be done.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 32(33):4–5, 18–20, 22
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Second reading
Hebrews 4:14–16
Our high priest is one who has been tempted in every way that we are.
Gospel acclamation
Mark 10:45
The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for all.
Gospel
Mark 10:35–45
The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.
Images from the Word
- The cup I must drink
- Indignant
- Slave of all
- What the Lord wishes
- Supreme high priest
Liturgical notes
Holy Communion has a fuller form as a sign when it takes place under both kinds. For in this form the sign of the Eucharistic banquet is more clearly evident and clearer expression is given to the divine will by which the new and eternal Covenant is ratified in the Blood of the Lord, as also the connection between the Eucharistic banquet and the eschatological banquet in the Kingdom of the Father.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §281
As we are offered the cup of the New Covenant in Communion, we are being asked by Christ, ‘Can you drink the cup that I must drink?’ By drinking of this cup and responding ‘Amen’, we ritualise that we are willing to take the path of the New Covenant by daily taking up our cross and following him.
‘To you I call; for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me’
—entrance antiphon