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First Reading: Jdgs 6:11-24a
The angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite. While his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press
to save it from the Midianites, the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said,
"The LORD is with you, O champion!"
Gideon said to him, "My Lord, if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are his wondrous deeds of which our fathers told us when they said, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' For now the LORD has abandoned us
and has delivered us into the power of Midian." The LORD turned to him and said, "Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you." But Gideon answered him, "Please, my lord, how can I save Israel?
My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father's house." "I shall be with you," the LORD said to him, "and you will cut down Midian to the last man." Gideon answered him, "If I find favor with you, give me a sign that you are speaking with me. Do not depart from here, I pray you, until I come back to you and bring out my offering and set it before you." He answered, "I will await your return."
So Gideon went off and prepared a kid and a measure of flour in the form of unleavened cakes. Putting the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, he brought them out to him under the terebinth and presented them. The angel of God said to him, "Take the meat and unleavened cakes and lay them on this rock; then pour out the broth." When he had done so, the angel of the LORD stretched out the tip of the staff he held, and touched the meat and unleavened cakes. Thereupon a fire came up from the rock that consumed the meat and unleavened cakes, and the angel of the LORD disappeared from sight. Gideon, now aware that it had been the angel of the LORD,
said, "Alas, Lord God, that I have seen the angel of the LORD face to face!"
The LORD answered him, "Be calm, do not fear. You shall not die." So Gideon built there an altar to the LORD and called it Yahweh-shalom.
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 85:9, 11-12, 13-14
R (see 9b) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD–for he proclaims peace
To his people, and to his faithful ones,
and to those who put in him their hope.
R The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet;
justice and peace shall kiss.
Truth shall spring out of the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven.
R The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits;
our land shall yield its increase.
Justice shall walk before him,
and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Gospel Reading: Mt 19:23-30
Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I say to you: it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Yes, believe me: it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven."
On hearing this the disciples were astonished and said, "Who, then, can be saved?" Jesus looked steadily at them and answered, "For humans it is impossible, but for God all things are possible."
Then Peter spoke up and said, "You see we have given up everything to follow you: what will be our lot?"
Jesus answered, "You who have followed me, listen to my words: on the Day of Renewal, when the Son of Man sits on his throne in glory, you, too, will sit on twelve thrones to rule the twelve tribes of Israel. As for those who have left houses, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children or property for my Name's sake, they will receive a hundredfold and be given eternal life. Many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be first."
Opening Prayer
Lord our God,
we hold you to your promise
to those who have left everything
for the sake of your kingdom
and who are willing to follow your Son
wherever he leads them.
Let them be men and women
poor in the things that count on this earth
but rich with your love and your grace
and with a wealth of friends
to whom they can bring
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction
Here we have a typical story of the vocation and the saving work of a Judge. The people are unfaithful, God calls Gideon to liberate the people from the Madianite oppressors. Gideon asks and gets a sign of his mission.
Gospel Introduction
In today’s gospel Peter asks, “What about us, Lord?” and Jesus answers that it is difficult for those who are attached to things to enter the kingdom of heaven. We want to follow him. Have we given up everything for his sake? Where do we stand? What is our situation? Jesus promises eternal life. The poor shall be rich. Those who follow Jesus throughout, even losing their life, will live with God.
General Intercessions
– That the Lord may open our eyes to make us put our hearts in the things that matter: love and service and generous sharing, we pray:
– That parents and educators may challenge the young to live for evangelical values, we pray:
– That we may welcome God’s grace when it is offered to us and respond readily, also when it makes demands on us, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
God our Father,
with bread and wine we remember him
who gave himself totally for others,
your Son Jesus Christ.
Everything was taken way from him
except the certainty that he could count on you.
Make us more aware of the poverty
and emptiness of our hearts
and of the passing value of the things
to which we attach ourselves.
Convert our hearts and set them
on the riches and persons that never devaluate:
you and our neighbor,
justice, truth and generous love.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord.
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
we are easily satisfied with ourselves
and our own little worlds.
Wake us up and give us the courage
to set out with your Son
on his adventure of hope and love.
Make us ask ourselves
not what we have done for you
but what we have not done and not yet given.
By the strength of this eucharist
help us to follow your Son generously.
Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Blessing
“What about us?” We know that the Lord knows us and loves us and that we are in his hands. No worry! May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
