Once Jesus was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’
He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray:
‘“Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come; give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”’
He also said to them:
‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves, because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”; and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you.” I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.
‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish? Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg? If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’
(Luke 11:1–13)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
In Jesus’ time, there were many teachers who offered a spiritual path to their followers—a particular ‘way’. In this text, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them his ‘way’ to the Father.
We can understand the reluctance of the man in the parable to get up and help his friend if we understand the houses of the time. Animals often occupied the ground floor at night while the family spread out their sleeping mats on an overhead platform. The door was often difficult to bolt. To get up and help his friend, the man in the parable would have had to disturb his entire family and flock.
Exploring the Word
The God in this gospel text is not vague and distant; he is a God who shares an intimate and fatherly relationship of love. If ordinary parents know what is good for their children and want to give them all that is good, then how much more will our Father in heaven give us what we need. Asking our Father for what we need (rather than what we want) is an expression of our dependence on God. To ask for something is to place ourselves in a state of cooperation with God. We must also commit ourselves to working towards what we pray for, or else prayer becomes a way of evading responsibility, and we make God into some kind of Santa Claus.
We often abuse this privilege of asking God for what we need. In what ways can this happen? In what ways can we turn prayer and petition into something inappropriate?
Persistence is praised in this text. Have you ever felt like giving up on your journey? What has kept pushing you to persevere?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find.’ What are you searching for? Have you found any answers yet?
What would you ask God for at this point in your journey?
Have you ever had to refuse someone’s request for your help? Why? What were the circumstances? How did you feel? Did your refusal alter your relationship with the petitioner? Do you regret your decision? Share your stories.
Live out the ‘Our Father: Honour God’, give thanks for your daily bread and forgive others who wrong you.
Learn the Lord’s Prayer by heart, if you do not already know it. Pray it often and carefully this week. Be attentive to each petition as you pray.
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 Lord’s Prayer is one of the oldest and most cherished prayers of the Church. Reflect on the meaning of each phrase.
Our Father
In what ways do you experience God as loving Father?
Hallowed be your name
How do you give homage to God’s name?
Your kingdom come, your will be done
Explore the meaning of the kingdom or reign of God. How can we know God’s will? What is our responsibility in terms of helping to build the kingdom?
Give us this day our daily bread
What do we need daily?
Forgive us … as we forgive
How easy or difficult do you find forgiveness?
Lead us not into temptation
What are the temptations in your life?
A more in-depth commentary on the Lord’s Prayer can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§§2759–2853).
Symbols and images
The Old Testament often refers to God as the Father of his covenant people, Israel, and as the one who will act to deliver his people. However, when Jesus addresses God as Father, he expresses his unique, personal and filial relationship to God. Through Jesus, the disciples can know God as a gracious and loving Father.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
Try to live all aspects of the Lord’s Prayer this week. Ask God for what you need (not for what you want!).
Use an image of Jesus at prayer as a focus. Invite catechumens to use the style of a prayer of intercession. You could respond to each prayer using the Taizé refrain, ‘O Lord, hear my prayer’ (GA 431). Conclude with the blessing in the RCIA at §97C.
Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking. Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’ But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things, and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’
(Luke 10:38–42)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
Mary’s attitude in this text is one of discipleship. To sit at the feet of the Master is to be a follower or disciple. In Jesus’ time, such an attitude was often reserved for men.
Mary and Martha, the sisters of this text, are also mentioned in the Gospel of John. Although Luke does not name the village in which they live, John notes that they live in Bethany, just outside Jerusalem, with their brother, Lazarus.
Exploring the Word
After our first reading of this text, many of us would sympathise with Martha, who is left to do all the work. However, a more careful reading of the text uncovers the real problem. Martha is ready ‘to welcome Jesus into her house’. And yet, she becomes so preoccupied with the fuss of preparing food that she fails to do what she had originally intended: to offer welcome to the person of Jesus. In contrast, Mary is attentive to Jesus’ words and teachings. In this story, who has offered the true welcome? Mary and Martha’s responses are not in opposition; they indicate two ways of acting that should become integrated into our relations with others—that is, we should have attentive friendship as well as generous and practical service. The gospel of the Good Samaritan from last week shows us a model of selfless service. In today’s text, we are presented with the other side of the story: the need to also be attentive and to listen to the word of God so that we are not preoccupied with ultimately unimportant activities and preparations.
With which of the women in this story do you identify with the most?
How could you cultivate the other side of yourself?
Identify circumstances in which both contemplation and action are required.
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
What causes you to ‘worry and fret’? Is this a distraction from God?
What happens when you take time to be still and attentive to the voice of God?
In the busyness of life, it is often difficult to pay genuine attention to others. Spend time in pairs reviewing the week and recalling times when you provided your undivided attention to the important people in your life. Is there something to be learned from this exercise? If you need to, resolve to do better this week!
Make time this week to ‘sit at the feet of the Master’. This could mean reading the Scriptures or other religious literature, or listening to someone who can teach you something about the life of faith.
Use today’s prayer after Communion as your prayer this week: Graciously be present to your people, we pray, O Lord, and lead those you have imbued with heavenly mysteries to pass from former ways to newness of life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen
Alternatively, you could spend some time each day praying without words. Make yourself still and close your eyes. Fix your heart on God, who dwells within you. If you find yourself being distracted, don’t worry and turn your mind back to God.
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 tradition of the Church honours many people who are known as ‘mystics’ or contemplatives.
Explain these terms.
Some famous examples include St John of the Cross, Hildegard of Bingen, St Theresa and Padre Pio.
Explore the lives and writings of some of these people.
The Church also honours many who were people of action, such as St Francis Xavier, St Mary (MacKillop) of the Cross, Frederick Ozenam, Don Bosco and Catherine McAuley.
Explore the stories of some of these people.
It should be remembered that people of action find the motivation for their ‘doing’ in a deep spirituality and close relationship with Jesus. How might you integrate both aspects into your own life?
Symbols and images
In this text, Jesus does not rebuke Martha because of her acts of service. Far from it! The real point of his criticism is that she has allowed herself to be distracted by unimportant matters instead of concentrating on what really matters: God!
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
This week, practice both aspects of welcome. Invite someone home for dinner and be attentive to them and their needs. Each day, make space to simply ‘sit at the feet of the Lord’. What is God saying to you?
Create a quiet focus for prayer, perhaps with a simple cloth and candle. You could listen to a Taizé chant such as Adoramus te Domine or use Adoramus te Christi (GA 305). Pray quietly for each other. Conclude with the blessing in the RCIA at §97I. Ensure that you continue being attentive to each other while sharing a cup of tea and a bite to eat.
There was a lawyer who, to disconcert Jesus, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’ He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.’ ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’
But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead. Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him. He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him. Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.” Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands’ hands?’ ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself.’
(Luke 10:25–37)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
The priest and the Levite in this parable were religious professionals. They were on their way to perform their duties in the temple. If they had touched the wounded man, then they may have come into contact with blood; consequently, they would have become ritually unclean and unable to perform their duties. Their obsession with religious regulations blinded them to the even more fundamental commandment to love their neighbour.
The denarius was a Roman silver coin equivalent to one day’s pay. The Samaritan’s action is extremely generous!
The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was the normal route that people took when they were travelling to the holy city and the temple. Jericho was the usual crossing point of the River Jordan.
Exploring the Word
The parables that Jesus told were always designed to shock those who were listening. As modern listeners, we are shocked by the priest and Levite simply walking past the wounded man; however, this would not have been shocking to people who lived during Jesus’ time. These men had sacred duties to perform in the temple. If the man was dead, or even bleeding, and they came into contact with him, then they would not have been able to perform their obligations to God! The real shock to listeners in Jesus’ day was the Samaritan’s response. An enmity and suspicion existed between Jews and Samaritans that had lasted for centuries. Samaritans do not behave like that! To be so moved by compassion for the wounded man that the Samaritan bathes and dresses his wounds and pays for his further care is an outrageous scenario for the Jews to comprehend. This practical application of ‘love of neighbour’ is taken a step further when Jesus commands the lawyer to act in the same way as the Samaritan. This too would have been a shock!
What are some modern ‘stereotyped’ images that we have of certain groups or people today?
Explore some of the barriers that exist in our own society.
How are we called to break down those barriers and build bridges instead?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
Ask yourself the fundamental question: what must I do to inherit eternal life?
Who is your neighbour? Identify those who suffer today.
'Go, and do the same yourself.' What does this mean in our world?
Share an experience in your life in which someone that you least expected helped you or attended to you. Has a perfect stranger ever helped you? Share your stories. Alternatively, share an experience in which you were moved by compassion and responded positively.
Respond with generosity to someone in need this week. Donate to an agency who works with the poor or needy. Better still, become involved in that work.
A verse from today’s psalm is a suitable prayer for this week: This is my prayer to you, my prayer for your favour. In your great love answer me, O God, with your help that never fails: Lord, answer, for your love is kind; in your compassion, turn towards me.
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 story of St Francis and his life-changing encounter with the leper is just one in the Church’s treasury of stories that involve an unselfish love of neighbour. Other examples of such stories include those of Damien of Molokai and of St Martin and the beggar.
Explore some of these stories of selfless giving.
Are there people in your parish who work tirelessly for the disadvantaged? Arrange for them to share their stories.
One of Pope John Paul II’s greatest contributions during his papacy was his constant call to engage in interreligious dialogue to break down barriers and build bridges between all peoples of the human family. Pope Francis shares this commitment to interreligious dialogue, as he encourages us to pray that ‘sincere dialogue among men and women of different faiths may produce the fruits of peace and justice’ (video prayer message, 8 January 2016). What does this mean? The response to certain events such as the Christchurch mosque attacks of 2019 may offer some insights into what can be achieved through mutual respect and dialogue.
Explore some of the Church’s initiatives in this area—such as the ecumenical World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
There is a timelessness in the parable told in this text. The pathos of the injured man urges us all to come to the aid of wounded humanity. We are asked to respond compassionately and generously to those in need. We are called to more deeply understand what faith in the God of life truly demands rather than rest in simple adherence to ritual obligation.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
How does your community help break down barriers between peoples and faiths? Are there ways in which catechumens can become involved?
This might be an appropriate time for an anointing of the catechumens given in the RCIA at §101. Use a phial of oil as a focus. Talk about how the Samaritan used oil for healing. Adapt the prayer to reflect today’s gospel. Pray for each other and for all those who care for the needy. An appropriate song could be The Servant Song (GA 487).
The Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit. He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest. Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.
‘Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!” And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you. Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.
‘Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you. Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you.” But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.” I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.’
The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’ He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you. Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’
(Luke 10:1–12, 17–20)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
The vineyard is often used in the Old Testament as an image of God’s people; they must be tended to and cultivated well so that a rich harvest is yielded.
The Church has always understood its main function of announcing the Gospel to others. This is the Church's mission, and missionaries conduct the work.
All baptised people are called to be a part of this missionary activity of the Church.
Exploring the Word
At the end of the Gospel of Luke, Jesus’ final instruction to the disciples is to proclaim the Good News to all the nations (Luke 24:47). In today’s text, it seems as if Jesus is throwing the disciples into the deep end! Although they are sent on their first missionary assignment as raw recruits, with little to help them, the lessons they learn in their missions will be greatly needed later. For whatever they seek to achieve in Jesus’ name, they are given the assistance they need. However, Jesus reminds them that the crucial factor is not that they are powerful or that they are successful; it is that they are doing God's will, in Jesus’ name, which is the reason for their ultimate salvation.
In this text, the disciples are not yet fully formed, but they are willing to undertake the mission. Explore how the catechumens are like the disciples in this story. What lessons are they learning?
Do they feel as if they are lambs among wolves? Explore this idea. How is it ‘dangerous’ to be a Christian in today's society?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
How have you been received into the family of God’s people?
In what ways are you called to spread the Good News to others?
At this early stage of the gospel, the disciples are hardly formed for the task they receive. Have you ever been given a job that set you on a ‘steep learning curve’? How did it make you feel? What was your response? How well did you achieve your task? Share your stories with others.
Offer the gift of hospitality to someone this week. Make them feel welcome and give something of ‘the peace of Christ’ to them. Reflect on how this enriches you yourself as well as the recipient of your hospitality.
Use the gospel acclamation as the basis of your prayer this week: May the peace of Christ reign in my heart and may the fullness of his message live in me.
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 harvest is rich but the labourers are few.’ All the faithful are called to fulfil their vocation in the Church. For some, this means priestly vocation or religious life. For others, their vocation is fulfilled as a married couple or single layperson.
Explore the idea of vocation in all its rich diversity. You could invite a priest or religious brother or sister to discuss their vocation. Invite a married couple or single layperson to do the same.
One specific vocation within the Church is that of the missionary, who leaves his or her own culture to work in another.
You could recount the story of famous saints who have ‘gone out to the nations’, such as those of St Patrick, St Columban, Francis Xavier and Mother Teresa.
You could discuss the work of missionaries today, or even invite a returned missioner to be with the group. Resources and personnel may be available from the Catholic Mission, Melbourne Overseas Mission or St Columban’s Mission Society.
Symbols and images
This reading makes it clear that Jesus' message is available freely to all. However, it is how people respond to the invitation to faith that differentiates them. Some accept it and peace rests with them, while others reject it and must accept the consequences of their choice.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
How does your community manifest this missionary aspect of the Church or support missionary groups? How can catechumens become involved in these activities?
Use an image of a pair of sandals and a staff as a focus for prayer. Pray for those who work as missionaries today. Pray for vocations to religious life. Pray for each other as you too seek to understand your vocation. A suitable song could be Take Christ to the World (GA 369). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94F.
First reading
Wisdom 9:13–18 Who can divine the will of God?
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 89(90):3–6, 12–14, 17 R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Second reading
Philemon 9–10, 12–17 He is a slave no longer, but a dear brother in the Lord.
Gospel acclamation
Psalm 118(119):135 Let your face shine on your servant, and teach me your laws.
Gospel
Luke 14:25–33 Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Images from the Word
Great crowds
Come after me
Unable to finish
Tent of clay
Act of kindness
Liturgical notes
The offerings are then brought forward. It is praiseworthy for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful. They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the priest or the deacon and carried to the altar. Even though the faithful no longer bring from their own possessions the bread and wine intended for the liturgy as in the past, nevertheless the rite of carrying up the offerings still retains its force and its spiritual significance.
It is well also that money or other gifts for the poor or for the Church, brought by the faithful or collected in the church, should be received. These are to be put in a suitable place but away from the Eucharistic table.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §73
The gifts that members of the faithful bring to the altar should be processed in a way that invites the whole assembly to offer themselves to the table of sacrifice. Occasionally, their offering may be enhanced by other gifts for the poor, and whatever is brought to the altar does not return to the giver. Although the bread and wine are placed on the altar, these other gifts are set in a different significant place and are then distributed after Mass.
‘Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God; my soul is thirsting for God, the living God.’
—communion antiphon
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
First reading
Isaiah 66:18–21 They will bring all your brothers from all the nations.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 116 (117) R. Go out to all the world, and tell the Good News.
Second reading
Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13 The Lord trains the one he loves.
Gospel acclamation
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father, except through me.
Gospel
Luke 13:22–30 The last shall be first and the first last.
Images from the Word
Narrow door
Knocking
Away from me
Every language
Bears fruit
Liturgical notes
If [other] priests are not present and there is a very large number of communicants, the priest may call upon extraordinary ministers to assist him, i.e., duly instituted acolytes or even other faithful who have been deputed for this purpose.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §162
The presiding celebrant is always the ordinary minister of Communion. However, if he faces ill health or a large assembly, then others can help him. Given the shortage of ordained ministers and the wider practice of ministering the cup, our generation has witnessed increasingly more extraordinary ministers helping distribute Communion. We have also witnessed an increase in Communion being taken to the housebound, especially from our Sunday Mass.
‘O Lord, who gained for yourself a people by adoption through the one sacrifice offered once for all, bestow graciously on us, we pray, the gifts of unity and peace in your Church.’
—prayer over the offerings
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
First reading
Wisdom 18:6–9 You made us glorious by calling us to you.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 32(33):1, 12, 18–20, 22 R. Happy are the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Second reading
Hebrews 11:1–2, 8–19 Abraham looked forward to a city founded, designed and built by God.
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 24:42a, 44 Be watchful and ready: You know not when the Son of Man is coming.
Gospel
Luke 12:32–48 You too must stand ready.
Images from the Word
Treasure
Waiting
Great deal
Expectation
By faith
Liturgical notes
In texts that are to be spoken in a loud and clear voice, whether by the priest or the deacon, or by the lector, or by all, the tone of voice should correspond to the genre of the text itself, that is, depending upon whether it is a reading, a prayer, a commentary, an acclamation, or a sung text; the tone should also be suited to the form of celebration and to the solemnity of the gathering.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §38
The ministry of the Word involves much more than public reading, as different genres of readings require different voices. That is, readers are not simply reading words; as St John Paul II suggested, they are proclaiming the love embedded in the Word of God through their 'care, preparation, devout attention and meditative silence’.
‘Be pleased, O Lord, to accept the offerings of your Church, for in your mercy you have given them to be offered and by your power you transform them into the mystery of our salvation.’
—prayer over the offerings
First reading
Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21–23 Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 89(90):3–6, 12–14, 17 R. In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge.
Second reading
Colossians 3:1–5, 9–11 You must look for the things that are in heaven, where Christ is.
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 5:3 Happy are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
Gospel
Luke 12:13–21 Fool! This very night your soul will be demanded of you.
Images from the Word
Your judge
Good harvest
Fool
Vanity
Life with Christ
Liturgical notes
For in the readings, as expounded by the Homily, God speaks to his people, opening up to them the mystery of redemption and salvation, and offering them spiritual nourishment; and Christ himself is present in the midst of the faithful through his word.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §55
Our daily lives are filled with countless words and sounds, alongside a barrage of conflicting values and invitations. So, when we attend Sunday Mass, we must focus on our beloved God who speaks to us gently. Our readers have already prayed with this word of God. Drawing on this prayer, they proclaim the consoling and confronting word of God. We must be attentive so that our hearts are willing to live what we hear.
‘Graciously sanctify these gifts, O Lord, we pray, and, accepting the oblation of this spiritual sacrifice, make of us an eternal offering to you.’
