17TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: Ask and you shall receive

 

1^st Reading: Genesis, Chapter 18: 20-32

Abraham’s prayer encounter with God and God’s response at each turn of the dialogue is a lesson in the power of persistent prayer. We also learn that God’s mercy is abundant.

 

2^nd Reading: Colossians, Chapter 2:12-14

St. Paul reminds us that the Grace that was poured into us at baptism leads to new life in Christ, and, consequently, to salvation.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 11: 1-13

Jesus teaches us the basic elements of prayer, and stresses the importance of persistence in prayer.

16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: Hospitality

 

1^st Reading: Genesis, Chapter 18:1-10a

Abraham’s attention to detail, as he served the strangers, shows what is expected of every child of God in his or her line of duty.

 

2^nd Reading: Colossians, Chapter 1:24-28

Paul says he remains joyful despite the suffering he experiences while bringing the good news or the mystery of Christ to the Gentiles.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 10: 38-42

Martha and Mary show two different ways of serving the Lord. From the scripture, we see that it is more beneficial to spend time with Jesus, rather than to be seen to be busy doing things for him our own way.

15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: Christian love guided by faith.

 

1^st Reading: Deuteronomy, Chapter 30: 10-14

Obeying God’s laws is not a difficult task. It is as easy as listening to the promptings of the Spirit of God, which is already in us.

 

2^nd Reading: Colossians, Chapter 1: 15-20

The divine nature of Christ is summed up in the fact that all things were made through him and for him. Jesus remains the centre of everything in heaven and on earth.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 10: 25-37

The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that love of God cannot be separated from love of neighbour. We cannot say that we love God, and, at the same time, refuse to show concern for his children, our neighbours.

14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR C

Theme: The “Already” and the “Not Yet” of God’s reign

 

1^st Reading: Isaiah, Chapter 66: 10-14c

Scripture urges us to be glad and grateful because of the freedom we have now. We should have hope that God’s guidance shall surely rain prosperity over us in future.

 

2^nd Reading: Galatians, Chapter 6: 14-18

Paul’s message to us is that we must cherish our status as “new creatures” by virtue of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Gospel Reading: Luke, Chapter 10: 1-12, 17-20

As workers in the Lord’s vineyard, we shall be victorious here on earth, even in the face of obstacles. All the same, the Lord expects that we should look forward even more to our heavenly inheritance.