First reading
Jeremiah 38:4–6, 8–10
‘Do not let the prophet die.’
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 39(40):2–4, 18
R. Lord, come to my aid!
Second reading
Hebrews 12:1–4
We should keep running steadily in the race we have started.
Gospel acclamation
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
Gospel
Luke 12:49–53
How I wish it were blazing already!
Images from the Word
- Fire
- Division
- Disheartening
- A wicked thing
- Witnesses
Liturgical notes
Through him the Angels praise your majesty, Dominions adore and Powers tremble before you. Heaven and the Virtues of heaven and the blessed Seraphim worship together with exultation. May our voices, we pray, join with theirs in humble praise, as we acclaim.
—Order of the Mass, §42
With the new translation of the Roman Missal, we regularly hear in the preface the invocation of all creation—in heaven and on earth—as we prepare to join in singing God’s praise. This eschatological quality takes us beyond ourselves and invites us to join the many witnesses in creation and sing God’s praise.
‘Receive our oblation, O Lord, by which is brought about a glorious exchange, that, by offering what you have given, we may merit to receive your very self.’
—prayer over the offerings