25th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sep 14

Processional Hymn - Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service

Lord, whose love in humble service
Bore the weight of human need,
Who upon the cross, forsaken,
Offered mercy’s perfect deed:
We, your servants, bring the worship
Not of voice alone, but heart,
Consecrating to your purpose
Ev’ry gift that you impart.

Still the children wander homeless;
Still the hungry cry for bread;
Still the captives long for freedom;
Still in grief, we mourn our dead.
As you, Lord, in deep compassion
Healed the sick and freed the soul,
Use the love your Spirit kindles
Still to save and make us whole.

As we worship, grant us vision,
Till your love’s revealing light
In its height and depth and greatness
Dawns upon our human sight,
Making known the needs and burdens
Your compassion bids us bear,
Stirring us to ardent service,
Your abundant life to share.

Called from worship into service,
Forth in your great name we go
To the child, the youth, the aged,
Love in living deeds to show.
Hope and health, goodwill and comfort,
Counsel, aid, and peace we give,
That your children, Lord, in freedom
May your mercy know and live.

First Reading - Wisdom 2:12, 17-20

The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law, and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 54

R. The LORD upholds my life. The LORD upholds my life.

O God, by your name, save me, and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer; hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The LORD upholds my life. The LORD upholds my life.

For the haughty men have risen up against me, the ruthless seek my life;
They set not God before their eyes; they set not God before their eyes.
R. The LORD upholds my life. The LORD upholds my life.

Behold, God is my helper; the LORD sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice; I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The LORD upholds my life. The LORD upholds my life.

Second Reading - James 3:16-4:3

Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain; you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Gospel - Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee, but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be handed over to men and they will kill him, and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying, and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house, he began to ask them, “What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not me but the One who sent me.”

Prayer for Our Lady of Angels Parish

Heavenly Father, we thank you for gathering us together and calling us to serve as your disciples.
You have charged us through your Son, Jesus, with the great mission of evangelizing and witnessing your love to the world.
Send your Holy Spirit to guide us as we discern your will for the spiritual renewal of our parish.
Give us strength, courage, and clear vision as we use our gifts to serve you.
We entrust our parish family to the care of Mary, our mother, and ask for her intercession and guidance, as we strive to build a parish that loves God, embraces all people, and shares the Gospel joyfully.
Amen.