Lector: Our first reading is from the Book of Jeremiah. 

​

In those days, the princes said to the ruler: “Jeremiah, the prophet, ought to be put to death; His words are demoralizing the soldiers who are left in this city, and all the people, by speaking such things to them; he is not interested in what is best for the people, but in the worst.” King Zedekiah answered: “Do as you wish; I can’t do anything to stop you.” And so, they took Jeremiah and threw him into the cistern in the courtyard of the guard, letting him down with ropes. There was no water in the cistern, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud.

 

But when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, learned that Jeremiah had been imprisoned in the cistern, he went to the ruler sitting at Benjamin Gate and said to him: “Your majesty, these men are acting viciously in their treatment of Jeremiah, whom they have cast into the cistern where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.” Then the ruler instructed Ebed-melech to take three men along with him, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he should die.

 

Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Respond: Thanks be to God.

 

 

​

Responsorial Psalm

 

Lector: Our response is - O Yahweh, come to my aid!
People Repeat: O Yahweh, come to my aid!

​

I called to you, YHWH. Now, at least, you have stooped toward me.

People Repeat: O Yahweh, come to my aid!

 

You answered my cry for help. You have pulled me out of the pit of destruction, out of the mud of quicksand; You set my feet on a rock, and made firm my steps.

People Repeat: O Yahweh, come to my aid!

 

And you put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall look on in awe, and so, will put their trust in you.

People Repeat: O Yahweh, come to my aid!

 

Though I am afflicted and poor, may God think of me! You are my helper and my deliverer; O Yahweh, come swiftly!

People Repeat: O Yahweh, come to my aid!

 

​

​

​

Lector: Our second reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. 

​

Sisters and Brothers:

 

Since we are surrounded by such a great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and the sin that entangles us. Let us run the race with perseverance, the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is the leader and perfecter of faith.

 

For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and now sits at the right of God’s throne. Consider how Jesus endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggles against sin, you still haven’t resisted to the point of shedding your blood.
 

Lector: Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
People Respond: Thanks be to God.

 

 

​

Gospel Acclamation

 

Celebrant chants: Alleluia
People Respond (with chant): Alleluia.
Celebrant: My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. (John 10:27)
People Respond (with chant): Alleluia.

 

​

 

Gospel

 

Celebrant: Our God is with you.
People Respond: And also, with you.
Celebrant: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke.
People Respond: † Praise to you, Jesus the Christ.

 

Jesus said to the disciples:

 

“I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, the opposite is true: I’ve come to bring division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

​

Celebrant: My friends, the Gospel of the Lord.
People Respond: Praise to you, Jesus the Christ.

 

 

 

Prayers of the People

 

Celebrant: Filled with the joy of this celebration, we bring before God our prayers for this faith community and for the whole world:

Lector: Our response is, “Loving God, hear our prayer.”

​

For the universal church: that we may keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and be support by each other’s faithfulness; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For Peace in our cities and in our world: that the Holy Spirit will guide every heart to work tirelessly to end violence and promote the safety and dignity of each person; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For the grace of perseverance: that God will strengthen us in times of conflict and division so that we may remain his faithful disciples; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For the safety of summer travelers by land, air and sea, we seek God’s protection; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

That we will see Jesus in the unsheltered and disenfranchised, in the immigrant and refugee; in the imprisoned and abused; in those who mourn, and in those who have lost their faith; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

We pause to remember and speak the names of those who suffer with illness, that they may be blessed with comfort, hope, and healing [Lector, please count to 6]; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

​

We pause to remember, and we invite you to speak the names of our deceased loved ones and friends who have died; that God will meet them face to face on their journey, and welcome them into eternal life. [Lector, please count to 6]; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For those who have asked for our prayers and for our unspoken prayers, held deep within the silence of our hearts; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

Celebrant: God our Creator, guardian of our lives and source of all blessings, you delight in your people. Fulfill the needs of all your people and the entire world, and hear the prayers we offer you, those spoken aloud and those held deep within the silence of our hearts. We ask all this through your Son who lives and reigns with you. Amen.

 

All: Amen.