Twenty-second Sunday through the year

 

Invitation

May I hereby draw your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?

This invitation wants to share with You the joy
of the Gospel. Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening their hearts
to the healing power of God’s word.

Available every day

Introduction

On the threshold of a new school and work year
we look back on the holidays with gratitude
and also look to the future with confidence.
At the beginning of each Eucharist
we look back, ask for God’s mercy
and pray for strength for the future.
Jesus’ words already help us get on track.
He challenges us to grow in humility and modesty
and urges us to be hospitable to all people.
He Himself sets a good example:
at the banquet he is now preparing for us, there is room for everyone.

FIRST READING            Sir. 3, 17-18.20.28-29
Humble yourselves, and you will find grace with God.

My child, if thou art rich, remain humble,
and you will be loved more than one who hands out gifts.
The more esteemed thou art, the more thou must humble thyself;
then you will find grace with God.
For great is the power of the Lord,
but He is honoured by the humble.
For the malady of a proud one there is no cure,
for evil takes root in his heart.
A wise man eagerly contemplates spells,
and the wise dream of an attentive ear.

Answer Psalm     Ps. 68(67) 4-5ac, 6-7ab, 10-11

Refrain
Lord, for the humble
thou hast prepared a dwelling.

The righteous rejoice for joy,
stand joyful before the face of God.
So sing to God, glorify His Name,
He is the Lord, rejoice to Him!

To orphans a father, to widows support
god is in His holy dwelling.
For the neglected He gives a home of their own,
prisoners freedom and prosperity.

A nourishing rain came down from heaven,
thy exhausted inheritance thou hast refreshed.
Thy flock has found its resting place there,
which Thou hadst in Thy goodness prepared for her.

SECOND READING             Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24a
Thou hast approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God.

Brothers and sisters,

Consider where ye stand:
Thou art not approached – as thy forefathers were at Sinai –
to a palpable mountain and a blazing fire,
with darkness, thunderclouds and stormy winds,
where the trumpet sounded and a voice was heard
and those who heard her
begged that she would no longer speak to them.

Nay,
thou art consorted with Mount Zion and the city of the living God,
the heavenly Jerusalem and the thousand angels,
the festive and solemn assembly of the firstborn
who are enrolled in heaven,
ye are gathered unto God, the judge of all,
and the spirits of the righteous
who have attained perfection,
unto Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant.

Verse for the gospel            Mt 11, 29ab

Alleluia.
Take My yoke upon your shoulders, says the Lord,
and learn from Me: I am meek and humble of heart.
Alleluia.

GOSPEL                Lk. 14:1,7-14
He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

When on a Sabbath Jesus
entered the house of one of the chief Pharisees
to have the meal there,
they kept a constant eye on Him.
Since He noticed
how the guests sought out the principal places at the table,
he told them the following parable:
“When thou art invited by anyone to a wedding ,
do not lie down in the first place.
It could be
that your host has invited someone
who is more distinguished than thou,
and that the one who invited you and him comes to say to you:
Give up your place to him.
Then you would have to take the least place full of shame.
But when ye are invited somewhere,
take the least place.
If the one who invited you then comes
he will tell you: Friend, go up a little higher.
Thus you will be honoured
in the eyes of all those who lie down with you.
For all who exalt themselves will be humbled
and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

And Jesus also said again, now to his host:
“When ye give a luncheon or supper ,
do not invite your friends, brothers and kinsmen
nor rich neighbours.
It might be that they in turn invite thee
and so you will get it back.
But if you give a guest meal,
then invite the poor, infirm, lame and blind.
You will be happy
because they cannot repay it to thee.
It will be repaid to you
at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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Laudato Si

Encyclical of

POPE FRANCISCUS

On caring for the common home

99. According to the Christian conception of reality, the
destiny of all creation through the mystery of Christ, who is
is present from the beginning: “The universe was created by Him and
for Him” (Col, 1, 16) 80. The prologue of John’s Gospel (1, 1-18)
shows the creative activity of Christ as the divine Word (logos).
But this prologue surprises by its claim that this Word
“become flesh” (Jn 1:14). A Person of the Trinity has
joined the created cosmos and shared its fate up to the cross.
From the beginning of the world, but in a special way, however, since
the Incarnation, the mystery of Christ has been in a hidden way
operating in the whole of natural reality without thereby
affecting its autonomy.

To be continued
Every day at 1 am