Liturgical Information
Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)

Themes & Motives: faith, discipleship, providence

Introit:
O look at me and be merciful, for I am wretched and alone. See my hardship and my poverty, and pardon all my sins. [Psalm 25:16, 18]

Opening Prayer:
Father,
your love never fails.
Hear our call.
Keep us from danger
and provide all our needs.
Grant 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.

Lectionary Readings:

• Deuteronomy 11:18, 26-28, 32 [I set before you here this day a blessing and a curse. /v.27]
• Psalm 31:2-3 / 3-4 / 17, 25 [R. Lord, be my rock of safety. /v.3b]
• Romans 3:21-25, 28 [A person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. /v.28]
• Gospel Verse: Jn 15:5 [I am the vine, you are the branches, says the Lord; whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit.]
• Matthew 7:21-27 [The house built on rock, and the house built on sand.]

Offertory Antiphon: **
Let those who know your name trust in you, O Lord; for you do not abandon those who seek you. Sing psalms to the Lord who dwells in Zion; for he does not forget the cry of the poor. [Psalm 10:11-13]
     Verses of  Psalm 13  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
as we gather to offer our gifts
confident in your love,
make us holy by sharing your life with us
and by this eucharist forgive our sins.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Sundays in Ordinary Time I: [The Paschal Mystery and the People of God]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Through his cross and resurrection
he freed us from sin and death
and called us to the glory that has made us
a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people set apart.

Everywhere we proclaim our mighty works
for you called us out of darkness
into your own wonderful light.

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

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
I call upon you, God, for you will answer me; bend your ear and hear my prayer. [Psalm 17:6]

Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
as you give us the body and blood of your Son,
guide us with your Spirit
that we may honor you not only with our lips,
but also with the lives we lead,
and so enter your kingdom.
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, (Sperent in te omnes) in the Graduale Romanum and the Gregorian Missal.
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.