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
The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us, this week, that we ‘have come to the city of the living God’. As we gather faithfully Sunday after Sunday, we are witnessing to all around that we are caught up in the very mystery of God-with-us. That is why we give great attention to the building that houses the people of God. We are grateful to all who help to care for our building—our gardeners, our cleaners, our decorators. They each bring to our community their precious gift 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