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