TWENTY-NINTHSUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIMEYEAR A
Introduction
The proclamation of the word of God calls each of us to reflect critically on the meaning of living our Christian faith in today’s world. May we be faithful to the demands of today’s Gospel, to render our service to God and to each other.
Sentence
Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.
Matthew 22.21
Collect
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: grant that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in proclaiming the cross to be the way that leads to life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Reading Introductions
Exodus 33:12-23. The Hebrew slaves escaped from Egypt in the 13th century BC and accepted their covenant with God. This laid the foundation for their new society in the land of Canaan when they conquered it.
Isaiah 45:1-7. The anonymous author of the additions to Isaiah dares anyone to challenge God’s sovereign right to choose Cyrus, king of Persia, as the one chosen to set the Jews free from their exile in Babylon.
1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia. Paul’s letters to the church are probably his earliest letters in the New Testament. His dominant theme is faithfulness in the face of persecution.
Matthew 22:15-22. In Matthew’s Gospel, the arrival of Jesus in Jerusalem leads to several sharp exchanges between Jesus and the leaders of Israel. Some of these are presented as attempts to ask Jesus awkward questions.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Shine on the world like bright stars; you are offering it the word of life
Alleluia!
Post Communion Prayer:
Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow us, and make us continually to be given to all good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Blessing:
The love of the Lord Jesus draw you to himself, the power of the Lord Jesus strengthen you in his service, the joy of the Lord Jesus fill your hearts; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father , the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen
Copyright
Introduction, A Celebrant’s Guide to the New Sacramentary, Kevin W. Irwin; Pueblo Publishing Company, New York 1977
Collect, A Prayer Book for Australia 1996
Reading Introductions, Ken Booth
Alleluia Verse, The Sunday Missal, 1982
Post Communion Sentence, Church House Publishing 1997.
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time: (Year A)