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Presider

We come to our loving God in all humility, secure in the knowledge that our prayers will be heard.

Reader

We pray for Pope Francis and all the bishops of our Church. May their teaching and leadership show the world the way to peace and reconciliation.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the leaders of the world—that they will hear the cries of the poor.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for those who advocate and act for justice. May their work reveal those who depend on us to transform the Lord’s teaching into action.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our whole community of faith. May we pray daily, humbly and sincerely as Jesus taught us.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for …

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for all who are ill and for all who care for them.
We pray for family members, friends and parishioners who have died recently. We also remember those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they receive the rewards of their prayers and faithful service.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

Compassionate God, we humbly ask for your mercy and that you hear our prayers. We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time) 

Gospel acclamation

2 Corinthians 5:19

Alleluia, Alleluia!
God was in Christ, to reconcile the world to himself;
and the Good News of reconciliation he has entrusted to us.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

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

Sending forth 

Presider

Jesus has encouraged us to pray always without becoming weary. In his name, we open our hearts and pray for those who need God’s healing, justice and peace the most.

Reader

We pray in union with Pope Francis and all bishops and priests of our Church. May they be strengthened and sustained in their leadership, and may they inspire us to proclaim Jesus’ love.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for the people of our world who live in extreme hardship. May they be strengthened by knowing and experiencing the life and love of Jesus.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

On this World Mission Day, we pray for all missionaries, both at home and abroad. May they be supported in their efforts to minister to those who are most in need.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

We pray for our faith community as we share in the Eucharist. May we always find hope and consolation in Jesus’ promise of God’s undying love.

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 we remember. May God welcome them into his eternal kingdom.

Lord, hear us.
Lord, hear our prayer.

Presider

God of mercy, listen to our prayers of intercession and reveal your loving kindness to us, through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time) 

Gospel acclamation

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Alleluia, Alleluia!
For all things give thanks to God,
because this is what he expects of you in Christ Jesus.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

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

Sending forth 

Entrance

Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time) 

Gospel acclamation

Hebrews 4:12

Alleluia, Alleluia!
The word of God is living and active;
it probes the thoughts and motives of our heart.
Alleluia!

Procession of the gifts/offertory 

Communion

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

Sending forth 

First reading

Exodus 17:8–13
As long as Moses kept his arm raised, Israel had the advantage.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 120 (121)
R. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

Second reading

2 Timothy 3:14–4:2
The man who is dedicated to God becomes fully equipped and ready for any good work.

Gospel acclamation

Hebrews 4:12
The word of God is living and active; it probes the thoughts and motives of our heart.

Gospel

Luke 18:1–8
The parable of the unjust judge.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

Other lay persons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture. They should be truly suited to perform this function and should be carefully prepared, so that the faithful by listening to the readings from the sacred texts may develop in their hearts a warm and living love for Sacred Scripture.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §101 

The ministry of proclaiming the Scriptures in our Sunday Eucharist has been a great gift to the Church. Our lectors take time during the week to prayerfully prepare their text. In some parishes, this preparation is completed as a lectio, in which other ministers of the celebration, such as the musicians and the homilist, together focus on the Word that will form their decisions regarding how the Eucharist will be celebrated. Through their preparation, they contribute to the Word being alive and active in the hearts of the assembly.

‘Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, who hope in his merciful love, to rescue their souls from death, to keep them alive in famine.’ 

—communion antiphon

Gospel

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

Jesus told his disciples a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man. In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man, but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death.”’

And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them? I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

(Luke 18:1–8) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

It is unusual for an evangelist to be so explicit about the meaning of a parable; however, in this text, Luke states that this parable is ‘about the need to pray continually and never lose heart’. Those who listened to Jesus recount the story in this text were likely familiar with judges, who were a law unto themselves and who did not dispense justice according to the demands of God and the Jewish law. Yet even these people will be persuaded to act in the face of persistence. As is typical in the Gospel of Luke, it is not the rich and powerful who prevail, but rather the poor and the weak—in this case, a widow. How much more, then, will God act? He is not like the wicked judge; he will hear the persistent cries of people, especially those of the poor, and not delay in answering. The real test of our faith is to accept that God may answer our prayers in ways we do not expect or even desire. Prayer does not equate to making demands of God. Instead, it involves an openness to God’s presence in our lives and a willingness to accept whatever he demands of us.

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 

‘I must give this widow her just rights.’ The quest for human rights has long been a cornerstone of the Church’s social teaching. ‘The Church sees in these rights the extraordinary opportunity that our modern times offer, through the affirmation of these rights, for more effectively recognizing human dignity and universally promoting it as a characteristic inscribed by God the Creator in his creature’ (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, §152). For the Church, human rights are firmly anchored in the innate dignity of each person, who is created in the image and likeness of God. Because of this foundation, rights come with responsibilities—and human rights must be defended.

Symbols and images 

The widow’s persistence is the heart of this gospel text. Despite her lack of status, she persistently raises her voice to plead for what she needs—and her need is finally met. In the same way, God will also hear the cries of those who call on him. However, God may sometimes not answer our prayers in the way we want!

Living the Word 

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

First reading

2 Kings 5:14–17
Naaman the leper returned to Elisha and acknowledged the Lord.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 97(98):1–4
R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Second reading

2 Timothy 2:8–13
If we hold firm then we shall reign with Christ.

Gospel acclamation

1 Thessalonians 5:18
For all things give thanks to God, because this is what he expects of you in Christ Jesus.

Gospel

Luke 17:11–19
No-one has come back to praise God, only this foreigner.

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

For 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. Finally, it is a people made one by sharing in the Communion of Christ’s Body and Blood.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §5

Our Sunday Eucharist invites everyone to participate in the heart of the celebration. Each member contributes to the celebration through his or her active participation in the action. Summoned by God’s calling, all members choose to come to this sacred assembly—in which they are open to being formed by the Word proclaimed—to intercede for the needs of the world and to offer their unique sacrifice so that, in Communion, they may form the one Body of Christ.

‘The rich suffer want and go hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no blessing.’ 

—communion antiphon

Gospel

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

On the way to Jerusalem Jesus travelled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’ When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests.’ Now as they were going away they were cleansed. Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they? It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’ And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

(Luke 17:11–19) 

Did you know? 

Points of interest and Catholic lore 

Exploring the Word 

This text conveys another teaching from Jesus about what real faith entails. It is not simply another miracle story. First, the lepers recognise their own need for healing—and it is this recognition that prompts them to cry out to Jesus and implore him for mercy. In their need, they turn to Jesus as their hope. He responds with compassion and sends them to the priests to fulfil Jewish law. Nine assumedly complete that journey and re-enter the religious and social world of the Jews. However, one does not continue with the priests and cultural practices of Israel. Instead, he turns back towards Jesus after realising the true source of his wholeness. The recognition that his salvation came through Jesus and not through the fulfilment of Jewish law is what assures him that he is saved. His response is appropriate: he falls to his knees, praising God loudly and thanking Jesus for all that he has done for him. The fact that he is a Samaritan, a foreigner, may have resonated with Luke’s community, which primarily comprised non-Jewish believers in Christ.

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 leprosy in this text can be regarded as a symbol for anything that places a barrier between people. Jesus’ ministry has numerous examples of him breaking down barriers and drawing people into the fullness of life that lies at the heart of the Gospel.

Symbols and images 

Today’s gospel includes another example of an outsider—in this case, both a leper and a Samaritan—recognising Jesus, while those who should have known him, his own compatriots, failed to respond appropriately. We often witness ‘acts of faith’ from surprising quarters!

Living the Word 

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

First reading

Habakkuk 1:2–3, 2:2–4
The upright man will live by his faithfulness.

Responsorial psalm

Psalm 94(95):1–2, 6–9
R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

Second reading

2 Timothy 1:6–8, 13–14
Never be ashamed of witnessing to our Lord.

Gospel acclamation

1 Peter 1:25
The word of the Lord stands for ever; it is the word given to you, the Good News.

Gospel

Luke 17:5–10
Say, ‘We are merely servants.’

Images from the Word

Liturgical notes

The Second Vatican Council … [was] able to grant that ‘the use of the vernacular language may frequently be of great advantage to the people’ and gave the faculty for its use. The enthusiasm in response to this measure has been so great everywhere that it has led, under the leadership of the Bishops and the Apostolic See itself, to permission for all liturgical celebrations in which the people participate to be in the vernacular, for the sake of a better comprehension of the mystery being celebrated 

General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §12

Since the reform, we have been able to listen to the Scriptures and liturgy in our own language. However, given our multicultural society, peoples of many cultures and languages join us when we assemble. Throughout the year, how does your parish acknowledge this diversity of languages? Are there opportunities for individuals to hear their own language during the liturgy?

‘The Lord is good to those who hope in him, to the soul that seeks him.’  

—communion antiphon
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