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

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My children, be gentle in all that you do,

And you will be loved by the blessed.

The bigger you become, the more you should humble yourself,

And you will find favor with God.

 

For as great as God’s power is,

it is to the humble that God’s secrets are revealed.

Don’t pry into things beyond your circumstances,

Or delve into what is beyond your limits.

Just as water douses flames,

So does charitable giving atone for sins.

 

Those who do kind things are long remembered;

When they fall, they are supported.

 

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

 

 

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Responsorial Psalm

 

Lector: Our response is - God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.
People Repeat: God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

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Sing to God! Sing praises to his name!

Extol him who rides on the clouds: To Yahweh, praise his name! Rejoice before him!

A parent to the orphan, and a protector of the defenseless, is our God who dwells in holiness.

People Repeat: God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

 

God creates families for those who are alone, and leads captives to freedom.

But the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

O God, you went forth before your people, and you marched through the wilderness.

People Repeat: God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

 

A bountiful rain you showered down, O God, upon your land; you restored the land when it suffered; your people settled within it; in your goodness, O God, you provided it for those in need.

People Repeat: God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.

 

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

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You didn’t come to a holy place where things could be touched, where you could see a consuming fire, where you could experience darkness and heavy storm, and where the people who heard the trumpet blast and voice from heaven begged, “No more!”

 

Instead, what you have drawn near to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, where a myriad of angels, dressed in festive clothes, have gathered for the festival. You have drawn near to the risen - the “firstborn” - who were gathered together as citizens of heaven, and whose names have been enrolled in heaven. You have come to God of all, the supreme Judge, and you have been placed with the spirits of holy people who God has made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the mediator, who brings a New Covenant, and to his blood that is sprinkled out on all believers! This blood is far better than the first man to be murdered - the blood of Abel.

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

 

 

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Gospel Acclamation

 

Celebrant chants: Alleluia
People Respond (with chant): Alleluia.
Celebrant: Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart.
People Respond (with chant): Alleluia.

 

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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.

 

One Sabbath, Jesus went to eat a meal at the house of one of the leading Pharisees. The Pharisees there kept a close eye on Jesus. Jesus noticed how the guests were picking the best seats, so He went on to tell them a parable:

 

“Whenever you’re invited to a wedding party, don’t sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has also been invited. Otherwise, the host might come to you and say, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and you will be embarrassed because you will have to sit in the lowest place. Instead, whenever you’re invited, go, and sit in the lowest place so that when the host approaches you, they’ll say, ‘My friend, take a seat at a higher place.’ Then you will be honored by all the other guests who attended the dinner with you. For all who exalt themselves shall be humbled; and those who humble themselves shall be exalted.”

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

 

 

 

Prayers of the People

 

Celebrant: With a Christ-like attitude, let us ask God for the grace we need to humbly serve others:

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

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For all people of God, as we live out our baptismal vocation of service, that we may be strengthened and be a living example of Jesus’ mercy, compassion, and love; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

That God, who cares for and watches over all in need, will bring peace and prosperity to devastated regions of the world, especially those in war-torn countries and those who are subject to political instability; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For the reverent use and sharing of God’s gifts; for both economic security and freedom from materialism; for this, we pray:

People Respond: Loving God, hear our prayer.

 

For the grace of humility: that we may come to a deeper understanding of our gifts and stand with our sisters and brothers on the journey of faith; 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 we invite you to speak the names of all who are ill and have asked for our prayers, 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.

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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: Gracious God, in your goodness, you show us how to serve with humility. Hear our spoken and unspoken prayers, that one day we might all sit at your heavenly feast, with you. May we be every alert to those most in need, and we ask that you grant us the grace to place their needs higher than our own and be willing to serve with our whole hearts. Through Jesus the Christ, we pray. Amen.

 

All: Amen.