1 Timothy 6:11–16 Do all that you have been told, until the Appearing of the Lord.
Gospel acclamation
2 Corinthians 8:9 Jesus Christ was rich but he became poor, to make you rich out of his poverty.
Gospel
Luke 16:19–31 Dives and Lazarus.
Images from the Word
Feast magnificently
Covered with sores
Listen to them
Sprawlers’ revelry
Dedicated to God
Liturgical notes
The purpose of the Symbolum or Profession of Faith, or Creed, is that the whole gathered people may respond to the word of God proclaimed in the readings taken from Sacred Scripture and explained in the Homily and that they may also call to mind and confess the great mysteries of the faith by reciting the rule of faith in a formula approved for liturgical use, before these mysteries are celebrated in the Eucharist.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §67
The profession of faith, either as the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene Creed, is a response to the Word of God that fosters unity of faith among the community members and within the worldwide community of the Church. Other Christian communities also share these creeds. The Creed may also be sung or said; when said, it can be recited by everyone together or by two choirs responding to one another.
‘Remember your word to your servant, O Lord, by which you have given me hope. This is my comfort when I am brought low.’
—communion antiphon
First reading
Amos 8:4–7 I will never forget your deeds, you who trample on the needy.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 112(113):1–2, 4–8 R. Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.
Second reading
1 Timothy 2:1–8 Pray for everyone to God, who wants everyone to be saved.
Gospel acclamation
2 Corinthians 8:9 Jesus Christ was rich but he became poor, to make you rich out of his poverty.
Gospel
Luke 16:1–13 You cannot be the slave of both God and money.
Images from the Word
Being wasteful
An account
His astuteness
Listen
Prayers offered
Liturgical notes
In the General Intercessions or the Prayer of the Faithful, the people respond in a certain way to the word of God which they have welcomed in faith and, exercising the office of their baptismal priesthood, offer prayers to God for the salvation of all. It is fitting that such a prayer be included, as a rule, in Masses celebrated with a congregation, so that petitions will be offered for the holy Church, for civil authorities, for those weighed down by various needs, for all men and women, and for the salvation of the whole world.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §69
Inspired by the words of St Paul, as expressed in today’s second reading, the Church has developed a longstanding tradition of praying for everyone. God’s priestly people play a significant role in interceding for the many needs of the world. The Church expects each parish community to prepare its own prayers, so that the whole community can participate in the sacred intercessory prayer during the Sunday Eucharist.
‘You have laid down your precepts to be carefully kept; may my ways be firm in keeping your statutes.’
—communion antiphon
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.’
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
According to the law of Israel, if people had more than they needed, then they were required to share the excess with those who did not have enough. The goods of the earth belong to all.
According to the Acts of the Apostles, the early church members shared their wealth so that all members would have what they needed (Acts 2:44–45).
St John Chrysostom wrote, ‘Not to enable the poor to share in our goods is to steal from them and deprive them of life. The goods we possess are not ours but theirs.’
The proper use of wealth and money is a major theme in the Gospel of Luke.
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.
Discuss these words of Dom Helder Camara:
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.
There are also many examples of wealthy people who have undertaken extensive works of philanthropy. Explore some of these examples. Why do you think some people act in this way?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
How important is the acquisition of material wealth to you? Does it distract you from what is truly important?
What should you do better to make yourself ‘rich in the eyes of God’?
We often hear of wealthy people who cannot seem to find happiness despite their wealth. Who are some of these people, and what has befallen them? Have you ever experienced a time when material comfort was no buffer against suffering? Have you ever experienced great happiness despite not having extensive material wealth? Share your reflections.
Approach this teaching two ways this week: reflect on the attitudes and values that you should cultivate to be rich in the sight of God, and share some of your excess wealth with those in need.
Use today’s gospel acclamation this week, and reflect each day on this saying of Jesus. What does it mean to be ‘poor in spirit’? Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs!
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).
Consider each of these acts one by one and explore what they mean and how we can include them in our daily lives.
You could invite people to share how they undertake some of these works of mercy in the local context.
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
In what ways does your community provide opportunities to practice works of mercy? For example, does it provide opportunities to visit the sick or console those who grieve? How can catechumens become involved in these activities?
The open Scriptures and a handful of coins could symbolise the choices that form the heart of today’s gospel. Pray for each other as you strive to make yourselves rich in the sight of God. Pray for all people who work with those in need. A suitable song could be Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God (GA 456). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94C.
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
According to Roman custom, one day was reckoned from midnight to midnight, and the night was divided into four watches. According to Jewish custom, one day was reckoned from sunset to sunset, and the night was divided into three watches.
Jewish weddings involved the groom going in procession to the home of the bride, where the wedding and a feast were held. After this celebration, the groom returned to his own home with his bride to begin their life together.
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.
What good things have you been given in your life?
In what concrete ways can you make yourself ready for the Lord?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
Do you know what the Master wants but have difficulty fulfilling it?
Recall an experience in which you found yourself completely unprepared. What were the circumstances? What did you do? What was the outcome? Share your stories.
At the end of each day this week, spend some time reflecting on how well you lived the Gospel call. Resolve to be more attentive to preparing for what is to come, if necessary.
Use an adaptation of a verse from today’s psalm as your prayer this week: My soul is waiting for the Lord. The Lord is my help and my shield. May your love be upon me, O Lord, as I place all my hope in you.
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.
Explore the idea of God’s reign being already present through the death and resurrection of Jesus, but not yet completed (see CCC, §668ff).
Link the idea of making oneself ‘ready for the Lord’ to the catechumens’ approach to baptism. In what ways is their RCIA journey making them ‘ready for the Lord’?
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
How is your local community involved in the journey that the catechumens are undertaking? How can the community become more deeply involved in this journey? How can the catechumens’ journey enrich and deepen the faith life of others in the community?
Pray for openness to God and a spirit of courage to respond to God’s call. Pray a prayer of thanks for the gift of the kingdom. Pray for each other. A suitable song could be We Walk in Faith (GA 447). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94F.
Entrance
Baptised in water—G 903, GA 179, CWBII 99
Be thou my vision—AOV1 9, CWBII 455
Christ, be our light—AOV2 3, CWBII 540, G 590, GA 404
Come to the feast—AOV1 151, G 585, GA 400
In labour all creation groans—AOV2 40, CWBII 521
Love is his word—CWB 743, CWBII 553, GA 462
O God, our help in ages past—AOV1 175, CWB 767, CWBII 568, G 688, GA 459
Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time)
Psalm 89 (90): In every age, O Lord, you have been our refuge (Isele)—CWB 402
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear his voice (Soper)—DD (OCP)
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear God’s voice (Wood)—GA 55
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear his voice (Willcock)—PFS 50
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 5:3
Alleluia, Alleluia! Happy the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs! Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
Abundant life—G 811, DD (GIA)
Act justly (Farrell)—DD (OCP)
Act justly—AOV1 50
Centre of my life—AOV2 170, G 679, GA 444
Eat this bread (Taizé)—AOV1 125, CWBII 484, G 941, GA 205
Eye has not seen—AOV1 146, G 728, GA 466
If we have died to ourselves in Jesus—CWBII 30, GA 87
In every age—AOVNG 77, G 716, DD (OCP)
Micah’s Theme—CWB 748, GA 486
O breathe on me, O breath of God—CWB 758, CWBII 564, G 902, GA 432
Seek, O seek the Lord—CWB 802, CWBII 595, GA 211
Seek ye first—AOV1 48, CWBII 594, GA 456, G 658
Set your heart on the higher gifts (Warner)—DD (WLP)
The cry of the poor—AOV1 83, CWBII 618, G 47, GA 36
Communion
The Beatitudes (Kearney)—CWB 817, CWBII 456, GA 489
Come to the water (Andersen)—AOV1 74, CWBII 473, GA 403
How rich are the depths of God (Willcock)—AOV2 79, CWB 795, CWBII 505, GA 81
I am the bread of life (Kaczmarek)—AOVNG 72
I am the bread of life (Toolan)—AOV1 49, CWB 718, CWBII 508, G 945, GA 204
Our blessing cup (Hurd)—AOV1 7
Table of plenty—AOV2 20, DD (OCP)
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
A Trusting Psalm—AOV1 115, CWBII 293, GA 455
Centre of my life—AOV2 170, G 679, GA 444
Jesus Christ, you are my life—CWBII 523
Sending forth
Bring forth the kingdom—AOV2 4, CWBII 647, G 734, GA 478
In Christ there is no east or west—CWBII 519, G 832
Lord, you give the great commission—CWBII 308, G 544, GA 313
The Church of Christ, in every age—CWB 818, CWBII 613
What does the Lord require—CWBII 642
Entrance
All people that on earth do dwell—AOV1 25, CWB 613, CWBII 448, G 853, GA 533
All the earth proclaim the Lord—AOV1 184, CWB 611, CWBII 447, GA 534
Christ, be our light—AOV2 3, CWBII 540, G 590, GA 404
Christ is the world’s light—CWB 643, CWBII 467
City of God—AOV1 57, CWBII 453, G 766, GA 498
Come, Lord Jesus, come—CWBII 234
Find us ready, Lord (Booth)—DD (OCP)
Gather us in—AOV1 12, CWBII 501, G 848, GA 526
In faith and hope and love—CWB 722, CWBII 520, GA 442
Out of darkness—AOV1 134, GA 504
Shelter me, O God—AOV1 140, G 717, GA 230
Yes, I shall arise—CWB 867, CWBII 648, GA 214
Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time)
Psalm 32 (33): Happy the people the Lord has chosen to be his own (Ancell)—CWB 22
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear God’s voice (Wood)—GA 55
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear his voice (Soper)—DD (OCP)
Common Psalm 94 (95): If today you hear his voice (Willcock)—PFS 50
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 24:42a, 44
Alleluia, Alleluia! Be watchful and ready: You know not when the Son of Man is coming. Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
A Trusting Psalm—AOV1 115, CWBII 293, GA 455
Act justly (Farrell)—DD (OCP)
Act justly—AOV1 50
Awake, O sleeper—GA 173
Christians, let us love one another—CWB 648, CWBII 469, GA 206
Eye has not seen—AOV1 146, G 728, GA 466
I want to walk as a child of the light—CWBII 514, G 593
Keep your lamps trimmed and burning (African-American spiritual)—DD (hymnary.org)
Set your heart on the higher gifts (Warner)—DD (WLP)
There is one Lord (Taizé)—GA 346
Communion
Be not afraid (Dufford)—AOV1 114, CWBII 653, G 683, GA 449
Bread of life, hope of the world—AOV1 164, CWBII 459, GA 199
Bread of life—AOVNG 15
Do not be afraid/The Lord is my light—AOV2 73, CWBII 481, GA 28, PFS 40
Eat this bread (Taizé)—AOV1 125, CWBII 484, G 941, GA 205
Gift of finest wheat/You satisfy the hungry heart—CWB 685, CWBII 651, G 940, GA 191
I am the bread of life (Kaczmarek)—AOVNG 72
I am the bread of life (Toolan)—AOV1 49, CWB 718, CWBII 508, G 945, GA 204
Jesus calls us to his table—CWBII 115
My soul in stillness waits—CWBII 237, G 415, GA 280
Take and eat (Joncas)—CWBII 608, G 950, GA 198
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
All creatures of our God and King—CWB 618, CWBII 446, G 611, GA 395
All creatures of our God and King (arr. Rick Modlin)—DD (OCP)
Find us ready, Lord (Booth)—DD (OCP)
Glory be to God in heaven—CWB 686, GA 422
In the Lord I’ll be ever thankful (Taizé)—AOV2 109, CWBII 522, G 639, GA 429
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven—AOV1 78, CWB 789, CWBII 588, G 613, GA 392
Sending forth
Bring forth the kingdom—AOV2 4, CWBII 647, G 734, GA 478
Glory and praise to our God—AOV1 16, CWBII 491, GA 417, G 606
Love divine, all loves excelling—CWB 740, CWBII 552, G 641, GA 463
O God, our help in ages past—AOV1 175, CWB 767, CWBII 568, G 688, GA 459
Sing a new song unto the Lord—AOV1 80, CWBII 598, GA 414
There’s a wideness in God’s mercy—CWB 838, CWBII 624, G 644
We walk by faith—AOV1 63, CWBII 641, G 680, GA 447
