30th October, 2011 - Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

30^th October, 2011 - Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

“ WHOEVER EXALTS HIMSELF WILL BE HUMBLED;
BUT WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF WILL BE EXALTED”

INTRODUCTION TO MASS

Jesus had some harsh criticism to make of the Scribes and Pharisees. He called them hypocrites, because they didn't practice what they preached. Which of us can truthfully say that our deeds match our words? Therefore, to some extent, all of us are hypocrites. But each time we come to celebrate the Eucharist we are called by God Loa life of truth and genuine goodness. [Pause]

Let us confess our sins humbly to God and to one another.

I confess to almighty God...

OPENING PRAYER

Let us pray [that our lives will reflect our faith]

God of power and mercy, only with your help can we offer you fitting service and praise. May we live the faith we profess and trust your promise of eternal life.

Grant this through our LORD Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.

R. Amen

FIRST READING Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Malachi

A great King am I, says the LORD of hosts, and my name will be feared among the nations. And now, O priests, this commandment is for you: If you do not listen, if you do not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts, I will send a curse upon you and of your blessing I will make a curse. You have turned aside from the way, and have caused many to falter by your instruction; you have made void the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts. I, therefore, have made you contemptible and base before all the people, since you do not keep my ways, but show partiality in your decisions. Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?

The Word of the LORD.

R. Thanks be to GOD.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 131:1, 2, 3

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.

R. In you, Lord, I have found my peace.

SECOND READING 1 Thes 2:7b-9, 13

A reading from the first Letter of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians

Brothers and sisters: We were gentle among you, as a nursing mother cares for her children. With such affection for you, we were determined to share with you not only the gospel of God, but our very selves as well, so dearly beloved had you become to us. You recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery. Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

And for this reason we too give thanks to God unceasingly, that, in receiving the word of God from hearing us, you received not a human word but, as it truly is, the word of God, which is now at work in you who believe.

The Word of the LORD.

R. Thanks be to GOD

ALLELUIA

Alleluia, Alleluia.

You have but one Father in heaven and one master, the Christ.

Alleluia, Alleluia.

GOSPEL Mt 23:1-12

V. The Lord be with you R. And also with you.

X A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew.

R. Glory to you, Lord

Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

R. For Christians: that they may not be content with the appearance of goodness but seek the real thing. [Pause] Lord, hear us.

R. For the leaders of the Church: that they may practice in their own lives what they preach to others. [Pause] Lord, hear us.

R. For all who hold public office, that they may not seek their own glory but to be of service to others. [Pause] Lord, hear us.

R. For all those who are overburdened, and who have no one to help them. [Pause] Lord, hear us.

R. For each other: that the practice of our religion may help us in grow, in love and compassion [Pause] Lord, hear us.

Celebrant: Lord, grant that what we hive said with our lips, we map believe with our hearts and practice with our lives. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.

Father, all-powerful and ever-living God, we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks through Jesus Christ our LORD.

Out of love for sinful man, he humbled himself to be born of the Virgin. By suffering on the cross, he freed us from unending death, and by rising from the death, he gave us eternal life.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven we proclaim your glory and join in their unending hymn of praise:

You give us new hope in this Eucharist. May the power of your love continue its saving work among us and bring us to the joy you promise.

Tháng 5 Năm 2012

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