First reading
Joshua 5:9–12
The people of God went to the Promised Land and there kept the Passover.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 33(34):2–7
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Second reading
2 Corinthians 5:17–21
God reconciled himself to us through Christ.
Gospel acclamation
Luke 15:18
I will rise and go to my Father and tell him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Gospel
Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
‘Your brother here was dead and has come to life.’
Images from the Word
- Welcomes sinners
- Went back
- I have shared
- Shame
- New creation
Liturgical notes
This people is the People of God, purchased by Christ’s Blood, gathered together by the Lord, nourished by his word. It is a people called to bring to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people giving thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §5
In these days of Lent, we journey as God’s people to welcome new members into the Body of Christ. This journey has begun by God’s work in the redeeming Blood of Christ. In the weekly witness of gathering for Mass, the community is God’s ambassador in offering a tangible example of the good news of reconciliation that God offers to all. We are called to hand on this gift of reconciliation by the unity that is evident in our lives.
‘We place before you with joy these offerings, which bring eternal remedy, O Lord, praying that we may both faithfully revere them and present them to you, as is fitting, for the salvation of all the world.’
—prayer over the offerings