First reading
Ecclesiasticus 3:19–21, 30–31
Behave humbly, and you will find favour with the Lord.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 67(68):4–7, 10–11
R. God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
Second reading
Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24
You have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God.
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 11:29ab
Take my yoke upon you; learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart.
Gospel
Luke 14:1, 7–14
Everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled.
Images from the Word
- Closely
- Places of honour
- Invite the poor
- Be gentle
- Citizen of heaven
Liturgical notes
Sacred buildings and requisites for divine worship should, moreover, be truly worthy and beautiful and be signs and symbols of heavenly realities.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §288
This week, the Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that we ‘have come to the city of the living God’. As we gather faithfully Sunday after Sunday, we witness to everyone around us how we are caught in the mystery of ‘God with us’. This is why we deeply care about the building that houses God’s people. We are grateful to all who help care for our building—our gardeners, cleaners and decorators. They each contribute their precious gifts to our community, so that we can recognise the presence of our living God.
‘May this sacred offering, O Lord, confer on us always the blessing of salvation, that what it celebrates in mystery it may accomplish in power.’
—prayer over the offerings