First reading
2 Kings 4:8–11, 13–16
This is a holy man of God; let him rest here.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 88(89):2–3, 16–19
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Second reading
Romans 6:3–4, 8–11
When we were baptised we went into the tomb with Christ, so that we too might live a new life.
Gospel acclamation
1 Peter 2:9
You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy people. Praise God who call you out of darkness and into his marvellous light.
Gospel
Matthew 10:37–42
Anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it.
Images from the Word
- Not worthy of me
- Take the cross
- One of these little ones
- Holy man of God
- A new life
Liturgical notes
For this reason Christ’s promise applies in an outstanding way to such a local gathering of the holy Church: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst.’ For in the celebration of Mass, in which the Sacrifice of the Cross is perpetuated, Christ is really present in the very liturgical assembly gathered in his name, in the person of the minister, in his word, and indeed substantially and continuously under the Eucharistic species.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §27
When we speak about 'the real presence', most often we refer to the true and substantial presence of Christ in the eucharistic species. However, the Church recognises various ways in which Christ is also present, albeit in different ways. In the assembly, in the priest, and also in the proclamation of the Word of God. All of these are ordered towards our union with the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.
‘May this divine sacrifice we have offered and received fill us with life, O Lord, we pray, so that, bound to you in lasting charity, we may bear fruit that lasts for ever.’
—prayer after Communion