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Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time) 

Optional Sequence

Gospel acclamation

John 6:51–52

Alleluia, Alleluia!
I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord;
whoever eats this bread will live for ever.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)

Sending forth 

First reading

Genesis 14:18–20
Melchizedek brought bread and wine.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 109(110):1–4
R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.

Second reading

1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord.

Gospel acclamation

John 6:51–52
I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live for ever.

Gospel

Luke 9:11–17
The feeding of the five thousand.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

In the eucharistic prayer, the priest:

Invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the Prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §78 

The priest does not pray this prayer in isolation, but in union with the entire congregation. The priest proclaims the text of this prayer, and the community members confess in their hearts the great deeds of God that they have experienced throughout the past week. From these numerous and diverse events of the week, the assembly is called to bless God. The community thus unites in offering the sacrifice at this celebration.

‘Grant your Church, O Lord, we pray, the gifts of unity and peace, whose signs are to be seen in mystery in the offerings we here present.’ 

—prayer over the offerings

Presider

We place these petitions in the hands of Christ and ask for his blessings. May no one go hungry for the bread of God’s mercy and compassion.

Reader

We pray for Pope Leo and all the bishops and priests of the Church. May they be blessed and supported so that all people may continue sharing in the celebration of the Eucharist.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who hunger and thirst in our world. May all governments continue developing effective programs that ensure the availability of food and water, especially for people in developing countries.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who have been abused by members of our Church, other institutions and government agencies. We pray for their families and for the offenders. May the spirit of love, truth and justice bring healing and inner peace to all affected.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our faith community as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. May we deepen our appreciation for Christ’s body that was given for us and his blood that was shed for us as we live as Jesus showed us.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for …

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the sick of our parish and for all who have asked for our prayers.
We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they now share in the banquet of God’s eternal kingdom.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

Merciful God, creator of heaven and earth, bring your peace, life and love to the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life from heaven.
Amen.

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing. It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

(Luke 9:11–17) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

Jesus' attitude towards the crowd starkly contrasts that of the Twelve. Jesus welcomes all who come to him, patiently explains his message of the kingdom and offers healing to all those in need of it. In contrast, the Twelve are anxious about their paucity of resources and suggest that the crowd be sent away to find their own nourishment. Jesus then presents a model of how they should respond: with generosity and trust in God. Significantly, Jesus hands the food back to the apostles to distribute among the crowd—that is, they are given the ministry of feeding the multitude. For Luke, the Twelve are the foundation of the Church. This Church, founded on the Twelve, must never stop nourishing those who come seeking healing and the kingdom. The Church is founded on its members, so each one of us is responsible for using what resources we have to meet the needs of others.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

This eucharistic feast, as the Church celebrates it today, emerged in the thirteenth century, at a time when people rarely received Holy Communion. In fact, a church law was needed to encourage people to receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season.

For Catholics today, the Eucharist is ‘the source and summit’ of the life of the Church and the faithful.

Symbols and images 

‘The lonely place’ in which the events of the text occur symbolises our own longing to be filled, our yearning to belong. Jesus welcomes all who come, and he cures those in need of healing. For Christians, the Eucharist satisfies all the needs of those who come to the table of the Lord. They are fed and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

Great crowds accompanied Jesus on his way and he turned and spoke to them. ‘If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it? Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish.” Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand? If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace. So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’

(Luke 14:25–33) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

Being a disciple of Jesus involves radical choices! You must be single minded in your commitment to Christ and ensure that nothing else takes precedence over him. The use of the word ‘hate’ in this passage is difficult to understand. Is Jesus calling his disciples to ‘hate’ those who love us? Surely, we glimpse something of the love of God through human love. The problem may stem from the Semitic languages, which lack some of the subtleties of modern idioms. In Hebrew, ‘to hate’ is the opposite of ‘to prefer’. In this text, Jesus is saying that we must prefer to seek God rather than earthly love or relationships. It is our relationship with God that is of utmost value. Furthermore, discipleship comes at a cost—and the cost is the cross. We must be prepared to go the whole way and not leave the task half done. Just as Jesus responded totally to the call of the Father, we too must respond totally to the call to follow him.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

‘So, in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.’ Jesus’ words are best understood as a readiness to renounce worldly wealth if it hinders us from following his way. His words imply the need for an attitude of detachment from worldly things. Those who take special vows to religious life within the Church have a strong tradition of completely renouncing personal belongings; however, all believers are invited to ponder the meaning of Christ’s words and our response to them.

The Church teaches that the earth and its riches belong to all people. No one has an intrinsic right to more of the earth’s goods than another. At the same time, everyone has the right to own property, to guarantee their personal freedom and dignity and to provide for their needs. We must manage the inherent tension between meeting our own material needs and the needs of all other people on earth. Our attitudes to our own property must be governed by moderation, concern for justice and a sense of solidarity with those who have less (see the Catechism of the Catholic Church, §§2426–2463).

Symbols and images 

The cross is the central symbol for all Christians. For the Romans, it was an instrument of torture and disgraceful death. Despite its association with shame and disgrace, the cross remains the greatest symbol of hope and vindication for followers of Jesus. It was through his death on a cross that Jesus triumphed over death itself.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

On a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

(Luke 14:1,7–14) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

The Gospel of Luke describes how Jesus often shared meals with people who were not considered appropriate table companions at that time and in that culture—such as publicans, tax collectors, sinners and women of dubious reputation. In the meal described in today’s text, Jesus reveals more about the radical reversal that is characteristic of God’s way. He challenges how the Pharisees perceive their own standing in society as a people of status; he urges them to instead take the humbler positions at table and to allow the host, or God, to choose those who should be exalted. He also shatters the Pharisees’ idea of table fellowship by urging them to share their festive table with those who are the least important, or those who were societal outcasts. The way to God cannot be organised according to human priority! It is in the ultimate humiliation of crucifixion that Jesus is exalted in resurrection and ascension.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

Just as Jesus challenged the social norms and leadership of his day, the Church continues to challenge society in the present day. The social teaching of the Church is often called its best-kept secret! In the modern period, the great landmark document Rerum Novarum, issued in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, marked the beginning of what has become a long and illuminating tradition for the Catholic Church. Successive popes have added to this tradition of offering a critique of social, political and economic structures through the lens of the Gospel.

The Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference has nominated several Sundays throughout the year to focus on and raise awareness about marginalised groups and people in our society, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday and Refugee and Migrant Sunday. They have also nominated Sundays to focus on issues of importance to all, such as Social Justice Sunday.

Symbols and images 

The Gospel of Luke often portrays Jesus at table and sharing a meal. Meals play a significant role in human interaction and celebration. In today’s text, Jesus challenges both the conventions of his society and the understanding of who should be considered ‘important’ and be given the highest place. That is, he invites the Pharisees—and us—to consider the poorest and most in need as our table companions, just as he did.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

Through towns and villages Jesus went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem. Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them, ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets” but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men!”

‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside. And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

(Luke 13:22–30) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

As the chosen people, the Jews believed that they were in a privileged relationship with God. In this text, Jesus shatters some illusions. There is no privileged or exclusive entry into the kingdom of God for those who consider themselves ‘religious insiders’. This idea is equally directed to the disciples. It is not enough that they have shared a meal with Jesus or have heard his word; they must respond to that word and act on it. They must enter by the narrow door, which requires great effort, or else those who believe they were ‘inside’ could find themselves ‘outside’, and ‘the outsiders’ will find a way ahead of them. This radical reversal of values and expectations would have shocked those who thought they were on the ‘inside’.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

‘Who will be saved?’ is a difficult question to answer. There is no doubt that God wants all people to be saved, and that Jesus died to save all people.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, ‘Believing in Jesus Christ and in the One who sent him for our salvation is necessary for that salvation’ (§161). This quotation prompts many questions and points for discussion, such as:

Some of the questions that may arise in response to the concept of having faith to be saved will not be easy to answer—but the conversation is important!

Symbols and images 

The feast or banquet is one of the most common images of the kingdom of God. A feast is not simply a meal; it is an abundant celebration of something wonderful from which people draw nourishment, life and vitality. Such is the kingdom of God.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already! There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three; the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

(Luke 12:49–53) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

This is a difficult text to read because it challenges our notions of what Jesus was like. The imagery of fire that Jesus uses has a long history in the Old Testament, which frequently mentions people passing through the fire of testing and judgment. John had prophesied about the one who would come bringing a baptism of fire and judgment—but it never occurred to him that the same one would be the first to undergo that baptism! Furthermore, the rare glimpse into Jesus’ mind reveals an agonising mixture of impatience and reluctance. Knowing that God’s redemptive plan requires him to bring the fiery baptism of judgment upon earth—not by inflicting it on others but by undergoing it himself—Jesus feels restricted and thwarted until this mission can be accomplished.

The reference to households being divided could have been directed at Luke’s community itself. Faith in Jesus could indeed be the cause of division in families. Although Luke’s community was predominantly Gentile, it did include Jewish Christians. Some Jews failed to recognise Jesus as the Messiah, and in the late first century, they expelled Christians from their synagogues. To persist with a Christian belief would have caused great division.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

The history of the Church contains numerous examples of division caused by faith, as well as numerous examples of an overly zealous defence of the faith. Some of these examples are heroic, while others are shameful to us now.

Symbols and images 

Like many symbols, fire can have both positive and negative connotations. It can be a painful and destructive force, or something to be feared and shunned. It can also be a purifying agent that burns away what is unwanted. Fire is also used in the testing of precious metals. In the Australian context, bushfire is the cause of death and destruction; however, it also causes the regeneration and new birth of many native species of flora.

Fire is also a symbol of passion, and it is often used in turns of phrase and concepts that capture this emotion—such as ‘fire in the belly’ or the fire of one’s love.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit. Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks. Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them. It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready. You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house. You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’ The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward, then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time? Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment. I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns. But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming,” and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk, his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash. The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.’

(Luke 12:32–48) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

The longer version of today’s gospel opens with a sublime promise: ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom’. These words convey such intimacy, not only in regard to Jesus’ relationship with his ‘little flock’ but also in the Father's promise to bestow the kingdom onto the flock. However, this intimate relationship and promise do not remove our responsibility. On the contrary! Our response to this promise—whether we have faith in it or doubt it—will determine our response to the demands that Jesus makes of us: detachment from possessions, readiness for the Lord when he comes and integrity of life. We have been given a great deal, and a great deal will be demanded from us in return. We must be attentive to the Master’s requirements.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

Jesus promised that he would return at the end of time and usher in the new creation of God’s reign. The earliest church communities believed that the Second Coming would occur very soon; however, as time passed, they modified this belief with the realisation that they had to live the life of discipleship in the here and now while they waited for Christ’s return in glory. The Church today still holds this belief, and it is at the heart of our Creed: ‘He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.’ This belief requires us to remain ready.

Symbols and images 

In this text, the imagery of the vigilant servants who remain ready for their master’s return at any hour of the night reminds us to live expectantly and to be prepared for what is to come. Reflect on your own journey towards Jesus so far. Are you now living expectantly as you prepare for what is to come?

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 

Gospel

Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.

A man in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance.’ ‘My friend,’ he replied, ‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’ Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs.’

Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.” Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time.” But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?” So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

(Luke 12:13–21) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

In today’s text, Jesus finds himself in a situation in which he is asked to render judgment on a claim one brother has made against another. In a sense, this request shows that Jesus is recognised as an authority, given that a rabbi was expected to be able to make judgments on all facets of law. According to the law, the firstborn son inherited a double portion of his father’s inheritance—that is, he inherits twice as much as his brothers (Deuteronomy 21:17). Perhaps this man’s brother was not keeping the law. However, Jesus refuses to be drawn into such a debate because it does not align with his mission. He has come to establish a new way, one in which women and men are drawn into God’s reign. The parable of the unwise man makes this point. A person’s life is not made secure by what he or she owns. It is better to store riches in heaven than in the here and now.

I used to think when I was a child that Christ might have been exaggerating when he warned about the danger of wealth. Today I know better. I know how very hard it is to be rich and still keep the milk of human kindness. Money has a dangerous way of putting scales on one’s eyes, a dangerous way of freezing people’s hands, eyes, lips and hearts.

Making connections 

Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer 

Sharing the tradition 

A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ 

For the Church, works of mercy are among the obligations that all Christians must have. The spiritual works of mercy include ‘instructing, advising, consoling, comforting … forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently’; the corporal (bodily) works of mercy include ‘feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned … burying the dead’ and ‘giving alms to the poor’ (CCC, §2447).

Symbols and images 

The quest for material comfort and security can distract us from what is truly important. We become so easily preoccupied with acquiring ‘things’ rather than attitudes and values. Pope John Paul II has said:

It is not wrong to want to live better; what is wrong is a style of life which is presumed to be better when it is directed towards ‘having’ rather than ‘being’. 

(Centesimus Annus, §36)

Similarly, Pope Francis has said that ‘money must serve, not rule’ (address to UNIPAC conference participants, 17 November 2016). Contemplate the image of being ‘rich in the sight of God’.

Living the Word 

Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment 
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