TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
In the Final Judgment, "the day of Christ Jesus," He will show each person how he has valued and used the hours that hurry like tumbling water through careless fingers. The eternal value of passing opportunities is clearly taught in the feasts of the Kingdom of Christ, of All Saints and of All Souls, and in the final Sundays of the liturgical year. The lesson is that, in the end, each person will be judged by his sincere love of God and men. A Christian's discerning love must include obedience to, and support of, both Church authority and civil authority.
ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 129:3-4; 1-2)
If you, O Lord, shall mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel. Ps. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Glory Be . . .
PRAYER
O God, our refuge and our strength, source of all good, hear the earnest prayers of Your Church, and grant us the requests we make in deep faith. Through Our Lord . . .
READING (Philipp. 1:6-11)
Brethren: Being confident of this very thing: that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that, in my bands and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy. For God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray: That your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding: That you may approve the better things: that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ: Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
GRADUAL (Ps. 132:1-2)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity! V. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron.
Alleluia, alleluia! (Ps. 113:11)
V. Those who fear the Lord, let them trust in Him; He is their helper and protector.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL (Matt. 22:15-21)
At that time, then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to ensnare him in his speech. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: "Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: "Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the coin of the tribute." And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: "Whose image and inscription is this?" They say to him: "Caesar's." Then he saith to them: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's."
OFFERTORY HYMN (Esther 14:12, 13)
Remember me, O Lord, You who rule above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the presence of the prince.
SECRET PRAYER
O merciful God, let this offering of salvation cleanse of from the guilt of sin and shield us from all harm. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 16:6)
O cry to You, for You will answer me, O God. Incline Your ear and hear my words.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, we have received the Gift of Your Blessed Sacrament. We now humbly ask that the sacrifice, which You bid us offer in Your memory, may give us strength against our weakness; Who lives and rules with God . . .
ENTRANCE HYMN (Ps. 129:3-4; 1-2)
If you, O Lord, shall mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with You is merciful forgiveness, O God of Israel. Ps. Out of the depths I cry to You, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! Glory Be . . .
PRAYER
O God, our refuge and our strength, source of all good, hear the earnest prayers of Your Church, and grant us the requests we make in deep faith. Through Our Lord . . .
READING (Philipp. 1:6-11)
Brethren: Being confident of this very thing: that he who hath begun a good work in you will perfect it unto the day of Christ Jesus. As it is meet for me to think this for you all, for that I have you in my heart; and that, in my bands and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my joy. For God is my witness how I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
And this I pray: That your charity may more and more abound in knowledge and in all understanding: That you may approve the better things: that you may be sincere and without offence unto the day of Christ: Filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
GRADUAL (Ps. 132:1-2)
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity! V. It is like the precious ointment upon the head that runs down over the beard, the beard of Aaron.
Alleluia, alleluia! (Ps. 113:11)
V. Those who fear the Lord, let them trust in Him; He is their helper and protector.
Alleluia!
GOSPEL (Matt. 22:15-21)
At that time, then the Pharisees going, consulted among themselves how to ensnare him in his speech. And they sent to him their disciples with the Herodians, saying: "Master, we know that thou art a true speaker and teachest the way of God in truth. Neither carest thou for any man: for thou dost not regard the person of men. Tell us therefore what dost thou think? Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus knowing their wickedness, said: "Why do you tempt me, ye hypocrites? Shew me the coin of the tribute." And they offered him a penny. And Jesus saith to them: "Whose image and inscription is this?" They say to him: "Caesar's." Then he saith to them: "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God, the things that are God's."
OFFERTORY HYMN (Esther 14:12, 13)
Remember me, O Lord, You who rule above all power; and give a well-ordered speech in my mouth, that my words may be pleasing in the presence of the prince.
SECRET PRAYER
O merciful God, let this offering of salvation cleanse of from the guilt of sin and shield us from all harm. Through Our Lord . . .
COMMUNION HYMN (Ps. 16:6)
O cry to You, for You will answer me, O God. Incline Your ear and hear my words.
POSTCOMMUNION PRAYER
O Lord, we have received the Gift of Your Blessed Sacrament. We now humbly ask that the sacrifice, which You bid us offer in Your memory, may give us strength against our weakness; Who lives and rules with God . . .
