First reading
Apocalypse 7:2–4, 9–14
I saw a huge number, impossible to count, of people from every nation, race, tribe and language.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 23(24):1–6
R. Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
Second reading
1 John 3:1–3
We shall be like God because we shall see him as he really is.
Gospel acclamation
Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you that labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest, says the Lord.
Gospel
Matthew 5:1–12a
How happy are the poor in spirit.
Images from the Word
- Poor in spirit
- Pure in heart
- Rejoice and be glad
- Huge number
- God’s children
Liturgical notes
This Sunday, our usual cycle of readings is replaced by readings assigned to the Solemnity of All Saints. This solemnity enables us to affirm again the very heart of our Sunday assembly:
It is a people called to bring to God the prayers of the entire human family, a people giving thanks in Christ for the mystery of salvation by offering his Sacrifice. Finally, it is a people made one by sharing in the Communion of Christ’s Body and Blood.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §5
This people is united in serving the world. We acknowledge the long, faithful history of many people. By their ‘conscious, active and faithful participation in the mystery of the Eucharist’, this people has grown in holiness and has been taken into the heavenly eucharistic banquet.
‘As we adore you, O God, who alone are holy and wonderful in all your Saints, we implore your grace, so that, coming to perfect holiness in the fullness of our love, we may pass from this pilgrim table to the banquet of our heavenly homeland.’
—prayer after Communion