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.’
—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
Presider
Today, we lift our hearts and pray that God’s compassion and mercy will be open to those who need it most.
Reader
We pray for Pope Leo and all Church leaders. May their appeals for world development as a step towards true peace be heard by all with a heartfelt response.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our nation during this week of celebrating the Feast of St Mary McKillop. May more people be inspired by her vision and example to embrace the Gospel with courage and creativity.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who work in all areas of human rights. Driven by their belief in the dignity of every human being, may their efforts bear fruitful outcomes.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community as we gather in worship. May we find meaning and fulfillment in what we already have, and may we reach out to provide for those in need.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray that those who are ill may be strengthened in their struggle and pain. We pray for those who have died recently and those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they share fully in the glory of God’s promise.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
God of life, receive these prayers of intercession. May your mercy flow abundantly to all who are in need. We make our prayer through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Presider
Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of God. Abraham had faith in God’s promise to him. As his spiritual descendants, we ask God to give us the same gift of faith as we make our intercession today.
Reader
We pray for Pope Leo and the bishops of our Church. May they always be mindful of their responsibility to guide those who are entrusted to their care.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
During this week of celebrating the feast of the Assumption of Mary, we pray for each of us gathered here. May we, like Mary, recognise how God works in and through us to bring life, goodness and hope to the world.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the people of our world who are enduring persecution and affliction. May peace be restored in their lands so that they can live in harmony with each other.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community. Nourished by the Eucharist, may we reach out with compassion to others, especially to those in need.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who are sick in our parish and for those who have asked for our prayers. We pray for those recently deceased and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May God reward their faith and lead them to the life he promised.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
Lord Jesus, you tell us not to be afraid and to trust your Father’s generous love. Bless us and those who have entrusted their deepest needs to us. We place our hope in you because you are our Saviour. Amen.
Entrance
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!—AOV1 191, CWB 619, CWBII 449, G 949, GA 371
By your kingly power, O risen Lord—CWB 633, CWBII 352, GA 352
Gather your people—AOV1 71, CWBII 490, G 837, GA 530
Let all mortal flesh keep silence—CWBII 533, G 619, GA 190
Love is his word—CWB 743, CWBII 553, GA 462
Glory and praise to our God—AOV1 16, CWBII 491, GA 417, G 606
Responsorial psalm (see also music overview for Ordinary Time)
Psalm 109 (110): You are a priest forever in the line of Melchizesek (Willcock)—CWB 114b
Optional Sequence
Laud, O Zion (De Bruyn)—DD (OCP)
Lauda, Sion (plainchant)—DD (Corpus Christi Watershed, free)
Come, behold, the bread of angels (Praise, O Zion)—CWBII 396a
See, the bread of angels given (Ecce panis angelorum)—CWBII 395
Gospel acclamation
John 6:51–52
Alleluia, Alleluia! I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live for ever. Alleluia!
Procession of the gifts/offertory
Christians, let us love one another—CWB 648, CWBII 469, GA 206
Christ is here (Walker)—GA 351, DD (OCP)
Eat this bread (Taizé)—AOV1 125, CWBII 484, G 941, GA 205
God with hidden majesty (Adoro te devote)—GA 388
I receive the living God—G 916, DD (OCP)
Jesus, you are bread for us—AOV1 42, CWBII 116
Our Supper Invitation—AOV1 185, GA 202
Song of the Lord’s Supper—CWBII 311, GA 322
Taste and see God’s love (Wood)—GA 203
This body will be given for you—CWB 839, GA 387
Communion
Bread broken, wine shared—AOV2 155
Bread for the world broken—AOV1 60
Bread of life, hope of the world—AOV1 164, CWBII 459, GA 199
Feed us now, bread of life (Mann)—AOV2 93
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
In the breaking of the bread (Hurd)—AOV1 58, G 918, DD (OCP)
Make of our hands a throne (Warner)—DD (GIA)
Our Supper Invitation—AOV1 185, GA 202
Taste and see (Dean)—CWBII 609, GA 34
Taste and see (Moore)—G 930, DD (GIA)
Taste and see (Robinson)—AOV1 88
Taste and see (Willcock)—CWBII 610, GA 33, PFS 46
Taste and see God’s love (Wood)—GA 203
Taste and see the goodness of the Lord (Herry)—CWBII 610, DD (Marist Music, free)
Taste and see/Drink in the richness (Wood)—GA 35
Thanksgiving hymn/song/canticle (optional, sung by all)
For the fruits of all creation—CWBII 488, GA 426
Life-giving bread, saving cup—G 926, DD (GIA)
Now let us from this table rise—CWB 753, CWBII 560
O God, beyond all praising—CWBII 566
One bread, one body—AOV1 129, CWBII 579, G 932, GA 193
Taste and see (Hurd)—AOV1 67
Sending forth
Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!—AOV1 191, CWB 619, CWBII 449, G 949, GA 371
Love is his word—CWB 743, CWBII 553, GA 462
Now thank we all our God—AOV1 189, CWB 755, CWBII 561, G 636, GA 425
Take the word of God with you—CWBII 607, GA 494, DD (OCP)
First reading
Genesis 14:18–20 Melchizedek brought bread and wine.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 109(110):1–4 R. You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchizedek.
Second reading
1 Corinthians 11:23–26 Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the death of the Lord.
Gospel acclamation
John 6:51–52 I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live for ever.
Gospel
Luke 9:11–17 The feeding of the five thousand.
Images from the Word
Welcome
Give them
All eat
Blessed
Memorial
Liturgical notes
In the eucharistic prayer, the priest:
Invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving; he unites the congregation with himself in the Prayer that he addresses in the name of the entire community to God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §78
The priest does not pray this prayer in isolation, but in union with the entire congregation. The priest proclaims the text of this prayer, and the community members confess in their hearts the great deeds of God that they have experienced throughout the past week. From these numerous and diverse events of the week, the assembly is called to bless God. The community thus unites in offering the sacrifice at this celebration.
‘Grant your Church, O Lord, we pray, the gifts of unity and peace, whose signs are to be seen in mystery in the offerings we here present.’
—prayer over the offerings
Presider
We place these petitions in the hands of Christ and ask for his blessings. May no one go hungry for the bread of God’s mercy and compassion.
Reader
We pray for Pope Leo and all the bishops and priests of the Church. May they be blessed and supported so that all people may continue sharing in the celebration of the Eucharist.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for those who hunger and thirst in our world. May all governments continue developing effective programs that ensure the availability of food and water, especially for people in developing countries.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who have been abused by members of our Church, other institutions and government agencies. We pray for their families and for the offenders. May the spirit of love, truth and justice bring healing and inner peace to all affected.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for our faith community as we gather to celebrate the Eucharist. May we deepen our appreciation for Christ’s body that was given for us and his blood that was shed for us as we live as Jesus showed us.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for …
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for the sick of our parish and for all who have asked for our prayers. We pray for those who have died recently and for those whose anniversaries occur at this time. May they now share in the banquet of God’s eternal kingdom.
Lord, hear us. Lord, hear our prayer.
Presider
Merciful God, creator of heaven and earth, bring your peace, life and love to the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life from heaven. Amen.
Jesus made the crowds welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing. It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here.’ He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves.’ But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people.’ For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty.’ They did so and made them all sit down. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd. They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.
(Luke 9:11–17)
Did you know?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
The actions of our eucharistic celebration are based on Jesus' actions in this gospel text and later during the Last Supper. These actions involve the priest taking the bread, blessing it, breaking it and distributing it to all who come to the table.
The twelve baskets full of remaining food signify that the Eucharist can meet all our needs. The abundance of the Eucharist is enough—indeed, more than enough—to fill and sustain us.
The abundant feast is an image associated with the coming of the Messiah and the advent of God’s kingdom. In this gospel text, Jesus brings an experience of God’s reign in the present time to those whom he fed in such abundance.
Exploring the Word
Jesus' attitude towards the crowd starkly contrasts that of the Twelve. Jesus welcomes all who come to him, patiently explains his message of the kingdom and offers healing to all those in need of it. In contrast, the Twelve are anxious about their paucity of resources and suggest that the crowd be sent away to find their own nourishment. Jesus then presents a model of how they should respond: with generosity and trust in God. Significantly, Jesus hands the food back to the apostles to distribute among the crowd—that is, they are given the ministry of feeding the multitude. For Luke, the Twelve are the foundation of the Church. This Church, founded on the Twelve, must never stop nourishing those who come seeking healing and the kingdom. The Church is founded on its members, so each one of us is responsible for using what resources we have to meet the needs of others.
What are some implications of this understanding of the text?
Are these implications confined to our immediate community or are they global in scope? How does this understanding of the text challenge us further?
In what ways are the Church and its members helping to meet your needs in the present?
In what ways are the Church and its members helping to meet the needs of the world?
Making connections
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
Have you ever been in a ‘lonely place’?
How do you make people feel welcome?
What needs healing in you?
How is Jesus feeding your ‘hunger’?
Jesus tells the disciples that they should feed the crowd themselves. What resources do you have that could help feed the needs of people you know? Share an experience in your life in which you were able to help someone in their time of need. Share an experience in which someone was able to help you.
Spend a little time each day reflecting on your needs and on how your journey towards Christ is helping to feed those needs. Try to help someone find a way out of their ‘lonely place’.
This week’s gospel acclamation makes a beautiful reflection. Pray it often: I am the living bread from heaven, says the Lord; Whoever eats this bread will live forever.
Sharing the tradition
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
This eucharistic feast, as the Church celebrates it today, emerged in the thirteenth century, at a time when people rarely received Holy Communion. In fact, a church law was needed to encourage people to receive the Eucharist at least once a year during the Easter season.
You could provide some historical background to explore the reason for this attitude.
For Catholics today, the Eucharist is ‘the source and summit’ of the life of the Church and the faithful.
Talk about what this means. You could refer to the passage from Lumen Gentium (§11), a document from the Second Vatican Council, or you could refer to the relevant part of the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§1324) that focuses on this concept.
You could discuss the four ways we understand Christ to be present in the Eucharist.
You could explain the concept of ‘fasting’ before receiving communion; discuss how this practice has changed over time and appropriate ways for preparing to receive Christ.
Symbols and images
‘The lonely place’ in which the events of the text occur symbolises our own longing to be filled, our yearning to belong. Jesus welcomes all who come, and he cures those in need of healing. For Christians, the Eucharist satisfies all the needs of those who come to the table of the Lord. They are fed and nourished by the Body and Blood of Christ.
Living the Word
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
‘Feed’ others this week. In what ways can this be interpreted?
If possible, you could spend some time in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. You could pray for all who nourish your own journey towards full participation in the Eucharist. A suitable song could be Bread of Life, Hope for the World (GA 199). Conclude with the prayer of blessing in the RCIA at §97C.
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.
