Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Haugen)—G 39
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Pishner)—G 40
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Thomson)—CWB 168
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Willcock)—CWBII 632, GA 26, PFS 2
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, let us see your kindness (Haugen)—G 62, GA 49
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, let us see your kindness (Willcock)—PFS 4
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, show us your mercy and love (Briggs)—CWB 169
Gospel acclamation
Luke 3:4, 6
Alleluia, Alleluia! Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God. Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
Behold, a rose e’er blooming—CWBII 258, G 451
Come, O long expected Jesus—CWB 657, CWBII 232
There is a longing—CWBII 82
There was a man of God—CWBII 250
Wait for the Lord (Taizé)—CWBII 251, G 406, GA 283
Communion
Bread of life, hope of the world—AOV1 164, CWBII 459, GA 199
Bread of life—AOVNG 15
Bread of the world in mercy broken—CWBII 460
My soul in stillness waits—CWBII 237, G 415, GA 280
Now in this banquet—G 937, GA 197
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
Grant to us, O Lord—CWB 698, CWBII 291, GA 303
Open the heavens—AOV2 163, CWBII 243
Your light will come, Jerusalem (Hurd)—DD (OCP)
Sending forth
A voice cries out—G 416, GA 278
Hark! a herald voice is calling—CWBII 239
On Jordan’s bank—CWB 780, CWBII 244, G 418
Prepare! Prepare! (Pishner)—G 398, DD (GIA)
Prepare the way—CWBII 250, GA 284
Prepare the way, O Zion—CWBII 245
Saviour of the nations, come—CWBII 246
The coming of our Lord—CWBII 248
Entrance
Advent Litany—CWBII 253, GA 279
Advent Song—GA 281
Christ, be our light—AOV2 3, CWBII 540, G 590, GA 404
City of God—AOV1 57, CWBII 453, G 766, GA 498
Come Lord Jesus (Connolly)—DD (AOV, Year of Grace collection)
Come, O long expected Jesus—CWB 657, CWBII 232
Come to set us free—AOV1 39, CWBII 233, GA 277
Emmanuel (Angrisano)—DD (OCP)
Eternal God who made the stars—CWBII 236a
Grant to us, O Lord—CWB 698, CWBII 291, GA 303
Open the heavens—AOV2 163, CWBII 243
Rejoice! The Lord is King—CWB 799, CWBII 377
The coming of our Lord—CWBII 248
The King shall come—G 414
Wake, O wake, and sleep no longer—GA 282
When the King shall come again—CWBII 249
Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Advent)
Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Herry)—DD (Marist Music)
Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Joncas)—G 84
Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Kremer)—CWB 172
Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Roberts)—G 85
Psalm 121 (122): Let us go rejoicing (Willcock)—CWBII 536, GA 72, PFS 60
Common Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Haugen)—G 39
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Pishner)—G 40
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Thomson)—CWB 168
Seasonal Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Willcock)—CWBII 632, GA 26, PFS 2
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, let us see your kindness (Haugen)—G 62, GA 49
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, let us see your kindness (Willcock)—PFS 4
Seasonal Psalm 84 (85): Lord, show us your mercy and love (Briggs)—CWB 169
Gospel acclamation
Psalm 84:8
Alleluia, Alleluia! Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
Advent Chant—AOV2 123
Advent Litany—CWBII 253, GA 279
God of Abraham—AOV1 137, GA 306
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful (Taizé)—AOV2 109, CWBII 522, G 639, GA 429
Wait for the Lord (Taizé)—CWBII 251, G 406, GA 283
Your light will come, Jerusalem (Hurd)—DD (OCP)
Communion
Bread of life, hope of the world—AOV1 164, CWBII 459, GA 199
Bread of life—AOVNG 15
Bread of the world in mercy broken—CWBII 460
My soul in stillness waits—CWBII 237, G 415, GA 280
Now in this banquet—G 937, GA 197
Psalm 24 (25): To you, O Lord (Willcock)—CWBII 632, GA 26, PFS 2
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
Rejoice! The Lord is King—CWB 799, CWBII 377
Sing to God with joy and gladness—AOV2 39, CWBII 603
Soon and very soon—G 865
Sending forth
Come to set us free—AOV1 39, CWBII 233, GA 277
Find us ready, Lord (Booth)—DD (OCP)
Glory and praise to our God—AOV1 16, CWBII 491, GA 417, G 606
Let heaven rejoice—AOV1 124
Sing to God with joy and gladness—AOV2 39, CWBII 603
Sing to the mountains—AOV1 92, CWBII 604, G 519, GA 362
The voice of God—CWB 835, CWBII 621, GA 476
Presider
Encouraged by the Scriptures, we are a people of hope. With one voice, we bring our prayers of petition before the Lord.
Reader
We pray for Pope Leo and all the bishops as the shepherds of God’s people. May their words of peace and goodwill during this season of Advent be heard and heeded throughout the world.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
As we celebrate Human Rights Day this week, we pray that we may consciously develop a respect for all people, regardless of their race or religion, especially those we meet in our everyday lives.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all the young people in our Church who are preparing to travel to Lisbon for World Youth Day next year. May their faith be strengthened, and may they always feel God’s love in their lives.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. May we love one another and be united in mind and voice to give glory to God.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our sick family and friends, and for those who feel forgotten in their hour of need. We pray for those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they be welcomed by God to their heavenly home.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
God of wisdom and understanding, receive the prayers of your people. May your justice flourish in our time, and may the fullness of your peace come to all who have placed their trust in you. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Presider
Gathered together in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, we open our hearts in prayer for God’s people everywhere.
Reader
We pray for Pope Leo, as leader of our Church, as he continues to encourage us to look to the Gospel as the words of eternal life.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all peoples of our world, in the words of Isaiah, ‘that nation will not lift up sword against nation’ and that peace will come to us all.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all agencies that reach out to people in need. May their workers be supported in their efforts to awaken a feeling of self-worth in all those they encounter.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. May the spirit of the season of Advent open our hearts to its message of goodwill to each other, especially within families.
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 all the faithful departed, especially those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they now rejoice in the presence of God’s unconditional love.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
Gracious God, through these prayers, continue to show us the way to your peace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
First reading
Isaiah 11:1–10 A shoot springs from the stock of Jesse.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 71(72):1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17 R. Justice shall flourish in his time, and fullness of peace for ever.
Second reading
Romans 15:4–9 Christ is the saviour of all men.
Gospel acclamation
Luke 3:4, 6 Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths: all people shall see the salvation of God.
Gospel
Matthew 3:1–12 The one who follows me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Images from the Word
Repent
Baptised by him
Your repentance
Signal for the nations
Welcome one another
Liturgical notes
Next the priest invites the people to pray. All, together with the priest, observe a brief silence so that they may be conscious of the fact that they are in God’s presence and may formulate their petitions in their hearts and minds. Then the priest says the prayer which is customarily known as the Collect and through which the character of the celebration is expressed.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §54
Throughout the celebration of the Mass, there is provision for the assembly to contribute to the celebration. In fact, their gathering for the Mass serves the intention of providing the opportunity for Christ to be present. The assembly then contributes by its faithful attention to the celebration. The presiding celebrant must ensure he respects this contribution by not rushing to proclaim the collect.
‘To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.’
—entrance antiphon
First reading
Isaiah 2:1–5 The Lord gathers all nations together into the eternal peace of God’s kingdom.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 121(122):1–2, 4–5, 6–9 R. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
Second reading
Romans 13:11–14 Our salvation is near.
Gospel acclamation
Psalm 84:8 Lord, show us your mercy and love, and grant us your salvation.
Gospel
Matthew 24:37–44 The Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Images from the Word
Until the flood came
Stay awake
Be prepared
Walk in his paths
Awake from sleep
Liturgical notes
For Sundays in Advent,
each Gospel reading has a distinctive theme: the Lord’s coming at the end of time (First Sunday of Advent), John the Baptist (Second and Third Sunday), and the events that prepared immediately for the Lord’s birth (Fourth Sunday). The Old Testament readings are prophecies about the Messiah and the Messianic age, especially from Isaiah. The readings from an apostle serve as exhortations and as proclamations, in keeping with the different themes of Advent.
—Lectionary for Mass: Introduction, §93
The Lectionary for Mass has been established with a very clear purpose. For this reason, it is important to use the readings assigned to each Sunday so that the wisdom of the Church may be maintained. During Advent, this will ensure a full understanding of what we are celebrating in this season.
‘To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame.’
Jesus spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else: ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.” The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
(Luke 18:9–14)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
It is crucial to consider who the characters are in the parables of Jesus.
Pharisees were deeply religious laymen who observed the law closely and who met together regularly for prayer and table fellowship.
Tax collectors were despised because their jobs allowed them to cheat and defraud people, because they cooperated with the Roman oppressors and because their contact with the Gentiles made them ritually unclean. No wonder the tax collector in this text ‘stood some distance away’. The Pharisees would have believed that he had no right to be in the temple at all.
Exploring the Word
The purpose of this parable is to disturb the complacency of people who believe that following the rules of the law precisely is all they must do to guarantee salvation, regardless of their attitudes towards others or how they speak and act. The timeless parable in this text is as true today as it was in Jesus’ time. The Pharisee asks nothing of God; he is under the mistaken impression that he can fulfil all that is required of him through his own actions. He believes that adhering to the letter of the law is all that is required. Conversely, the tax collector is aware of his brokenness and opens himself to God, asking him for mercy. He rightly recognises his own sinfulness and sees that God is the only one who can fill the void within him. Again, as is common in the Gospel of Luke, it is the poor and the outcast who will be exalted. The Pharisee, who should know better, will ultimately be humbled and experience God’s dramatic reversal.
How does this parable comfort or challenge you?
With which character do you most identify?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
Are there times when you judge others or consider yourself ‘better’ than certain people?
How difficult do you find recognising your own shortcomings?
Do you find looking beyond the shortcomings of others challenging?
Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt small or embarrassed by someone who exalted himself or herself at your expense? Have you ever ‘put someone down’ through your actions or words? Share your reflections.
Notice occasions this week when you might find it easy to judge someone. Do something positive to favour someone to whom you may feel superior in some way.
The tax collector’s humble prayer makes a suitable prayer for this week: God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
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
Last week was Mission Sunday. The universal Church celebrates this day, which is marked each year by a special statement issued by the Pope that encourages the mission of the Church in the world and the work of those who undertake this mission, especially in foreign cultures.
Read Pope Francis's statement to mark Mission Sunday this year on the Vatican website. You could offer copies to participants and use them to stimulate your discussion.
The Second Vatican Council included a decree for the Church’s missionary activity, Ad Gentes. The Church considers that all baptised people are engaged in this missionary activity of the Church.
You could discuss how all people are called to be missionary—not necessarily in faraway places, but also in their own homes, workplaces and societies.
You could explore some of Church’s missionary orders and work that they accomplish, such as through the Columban Fathers or Divine Word Missionaries.
You could gather materials from organisations such as the Columban Mission, Catholic Mission or Melbourne Overseas Mission and discuss the missionary work that Australians perform.
Discuss how the catechumens are called to perform this missionary mandate of the Church.
Symbols and images
This gospel asks us to consider what constitutes right worship. Is God impressed by words and outward show alone when the human heart is harbouring thoughts of hatred or vengeance? The parable in this text indicates that God is more impressed by our humility and recognition of our own need for healing.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
How is your community involved in the Church’s missionary activity? To whom does your community reach out?
You could use a pair of sandals and a walking staff as a focus for prayer. Invite people to voice their own prayers of intercession for their needs and the needs of the world. Include all missionaries in your prayer in a special way today. Conclude with the prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97E.
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
According to the law in ancient Israel, justice was meant to be available to all who sought it, not just to the rich or powerful. Judges were appointed and sat ‘at the city gate’, making themselves available to anyone who needed a judgment. The prophets often criticised the corruption that was sometimes associated with this office, as judgment would often go in favour of those who could pay a bribe!
Jewish law made a special provision for the care of widows and orphans, who did not have a male advocate to speak for them.
The Gospel of Luke was written at a time when believers were suffering for their faith. They also may have wondered if God heard their prayers.
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.
Are you persistent about any specific aspects or areas in your life?
What does this persistence reveal about what you consider important?
Is prayer important to you? How do you pray?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
How do you understand the ‘need to pray continually and never lose heart’?
What cries do you think God hears every day and night in the present day?
What would our world look like if justice prevailed?
Discuss the terms ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’. What do think they mean in the present day? Discuss some examples in which ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’ are lacking in our lives and world. How are you being called to respond?
Spend some time contemplating what ‘fear of God’ and ‘respect for people’ mean today. This week, practice these two actions in as many ways as you can.
Use the response from today’s psalm as your prayer this week: Our help is from the Lord who made heaven and earth.
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.
Use paragraphs 155, 156 and 157 of the compendium as a source from which to discuss human rights and responsibilities. Paragraph 155 lists several rights as specified by Pope John Paul II in Centesimus Annus (published to mark the 100th anniversary of the first social encyclical of the modern Church). You could explore these rights and identify examples of such rights being violated in our world today.
You could also explore the human responsibilities and duties that correspond to those rights. How are these duties being performed? What is our personal responsibility?
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
How does your community recognise and promote the rights and duties of all members? Are your community members familiar with the social teaching of the Church? Does your community provide a forum through which to explore these teachings? Is there a social justice group to which catechumens could be invited?
Use the open Scriptures as a focus for your prayer. Pray for all people who suffer injustice and the loss of human dignity. Pray for each other, for strength on your journeys. A suitable song could be The Lord Hears the Cry of the Poor (GA 36). Conclude with the prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97I.
