Liturgical Information
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Themes & Motives: humility, profound faith, renewal

Introit:
God, come to my help. Lord, quickly give me assistance. You are the one who helps me and sets me free: Lord, do not be long in coming. (Psalm 70:2,6)

Opening Prayer:
Father of everlasting goodness,
our origin and guide,
be close to us
and hear the prayers of all who praise you.
Forgive our sins and restore us to life.
Keep us safe in your love.
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.

• Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23 [Vanity of vanities! All is vanity. /v.1]
• Psalm 90:3-4 / 5-6 / 12-13 / 14,17 [R. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. /v.1]
• Colossians 3:1-5,9-11 [Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is. /v.1]
• Gospel Verse: Mt 5:3 [Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.]
• Luke 12:13-21 ["And now who will own what you have prepared?" /v.20]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Merciful Lord,
make holy these gifts,
and let our spiritual sacrifice
make us an everlasting gift to you.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface for Sundays in Ordinary Time II: [The Mystery of Salvation]
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 dead
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:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
You gave us bread from heaven, Lord: a sweet-tasting bread that was very good to eat. (Wisdom 16:20)

Prayer after Communion:
Lord,
you give us the strength of new life
by the gift of the eucharist.
Protect us with your love
and prepare us for eternal redemption.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing 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.