Liturgical Information
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Themes & Motives: cross, sacrifice, discipleship, martyrdom, witness

Introit:
I call to you all day long, have mercy on me, O Lord. You are good and forgiving, full of love for all who call to you. [Psalm 86:3,5]

Opening Prayer:
Almighty God,
every good thing comes from you.
Fill our hearts with love for you,
increase our faith,
and by your constant care
protect the good you have given us.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Jeremiah 20:7-9 [The word of the Lord has resulted in reproach and derision. /v.8]
• Psalm 63:2 / 3-4 / 5-6 / 8-9 [R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God. /v.2b]
• Romans 12:1-2 [Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice. /v.1]
• Gospel Verse: See Eph 1:17-18 [May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, enlighten the eyes of our hearts, that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.]
• Matthew 16:21-27 [If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself. /v.24]

Offertory Antiphon: **
Deign, O Lord, to rescue me. Let all be put to shame and confusion who seek to snatch away my life. [Psalm 40:14a,15a]
     Verses of  Psalm 47  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may this holy offering
bring us your blessing
and accomplish within us
its promise of salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Sundays in Ordinary Time VI: [The Pledge of an Eternal Easter]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks.

In you we live and move and have our being.
Each day you show us a Father's love;
your Holy Spirit, dwelling within us,
gives us on earth the hope of unending joy.

Your gift of the Spirit
who raised Jesus from the dead,
is the foretaste and promise
of the paschal feast of heaven.

With thankful praise,
in company with the angels
we glorify the wonders of your power:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
O Lord, how great is the depth of the kindness which you have shown to those who love you. [Psalm 31:20]

Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
you renew us at your table with the bread of life.
May this food strengthen us in love
and help us to serve you in each other.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphon used here is cited in Latin, (Domine, in auxilium) in the Graduale Romanum. The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, and Prayer after Communion from The Roman Missal, © Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.