Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
Full Mass Video
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript
∫ [Piano music] ∫
The following presentation is made possible
By the generosity of the viewers
Of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.
Good morning and welcome
To Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Today, we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My name is dan riley.
I am joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr,
And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
∫ Oh, deep in my heart ∫
∫ I do believe ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
In the name of the father, and of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
The grace, the peace, the love of God be with each of you.
-And with your spirit.
We come together in faith, hope, and love,
Trusting God’s mercy.
We call to mine our sins.
Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another
And to the father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division.
Christ, have mercy.
-Christ, have mercy.
And lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us,
Forgive us our sins,
And one day bring us to what the eucharist reminds us of,
The banquet one day of everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
Let us pray.
O God, who caused the minds of the faithful
To unite in a single purpose,
Grant your people to love what you command
And to desire what you promise.
That amid the uncertainties of this world,
Our hearts may be fixed on the place
Where true gladness is found.
Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,
Who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever.
-Amen.
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
“Thus says the lord, I know their works and their thoughts,
And I come to gather nations of every language.
They shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them.
From them I will send fugitives to the nations,
To Tarshish, Poot and Lud, Mosak, Tubal and Javan,
To the distant coastlands that have never
Heard of my fame or seen my glory.
And they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters
From all the nations as an offering to the lord,
On horses and in chariots,
In carts, upon mules and dramadaries,
To Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the lord,
Just as the Israelites bring their offering
To the house of the lord in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites,
Says the lord.
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ O praise the lord, all you nations, ∫
∫ Acclaim him, all you peoples, ∫
∫ For his merciful love has prevailed over us ∫
∫ And the lord’s faithfulness endures forever. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
“Brothers and sisters, you have forgotten
The exhortation addressed to you as children.
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the lord
Or lose heart when reproved by him,
For whom the lord loves, he disciplines.
He scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as discipline.
God treats you as sons.
For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
At that time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy,
But for pain.
Yet later it brings the peaceful fruits of righteousness
To those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet
That what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.”
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the lord. ∫
∫ No one comes to the father except through me. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
Brothers and sisters in faith, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Ours is a reading now from the holy gospel according to Luke.
-Glory to you, o lord.
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
Teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, “lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them, “strive to enter through the narrow gate.
For many I tell you will attempt to enter,
But will not be strong enough.”
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
Then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
“Lord, open the door for us.”
He will say to you in reply,
“I do not know where you are from.”
And you will say, “we ate and drank in your company
And you taught in our streets.”
Then he will say to you,
“I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, you evildoers.”
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
When you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
And all the prophets in the kingdom of God,
And you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and west
And from the north and south
And will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some who are first will be last
And some who are last will be first.
The gospel of the lord.
-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ.
I smile to myself when I read through today’s gospel
Because nobody wants to flunk salvation class.
They don’t want to be stuck outside,
Unsaved, after the master locks the door.
So I want us to consider today
What is the narrow gate that Jesus speaks of?
What exactly is it?
And I think we might consider the narrow gate
Being the gate of action.
The gate of action.
Luke presents Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate,
Emphasizing the necessity of striving to enter
The kingdom of God through action,
Not mere association or passive belief.
When asked if only a few would be saved,
Jesus responds, “strive to enter through the narrow door,
For many I tell you will seek to enter,
But will not be able.”
This passage challenges complacency,
Warning that simply knowing about Jesus
Or hearing about his teaching is insufficient.
True discipleship requires active engagement
And transformation.
Following Christ requires intentional effort,
Intentional effort.
The narrow gate is the gate of action.
Now, even those of us who are more confined to home,
And I know many of us who watch the tv mass
May have some mobility issues and being confined,
But even those of us confined to home
Can put our faith into action
In simple and yet meaningful ways.
And here are some bare-bones but impactful ways.
Dedicate time to daily prayer for others,
The community, our global issues.
How about considering writing encouraging cards
Or making meaningful phone calls?
Anyone can send a handwritten note or text
Or make a phone call that will uplift the spirits of others.
Do we realize even the smallest acts of kindness,
Like smiling, listening, or complementing another
Can be a reflection of God’s love?
I know not everyone is online,
But I also know a lot of people and many seniors who are.
What a great way online to share faith-based messages,
Favorite scripture passages
Or stories about how your faith supports you,
Especially if you’ve gone through some difficult times
Or a challenge.
Keeping favorite charities,
Like Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, in mind.
Any contribution to those charities
Can be practical and helpful ways to put faith into action.
At every stage and age,
Our life of discipleship following Christ
Requires intentional action,
And that’s what the gospel today is about.
Faith in action does not have to be grand.
Even small, consistent acts of thoughtfulness and love
Can make a big difference.
And so friends, today take some time
And think about this question:
As a result of my knowing Jesus,
What might the gate of action be
That I am asked to walk through today?
What might that gate of action be?
And now we profess together what we believe;
In the apostles’ creed.
We’ll say that together:
I believe in God, the father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord,
Who was conceived by the power of the holy spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again and ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church,
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.
This is our faith.
In faith, hope and love,
We bring our many cares and needs now
And place them before God.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”
For the pope and church leaders who spread the gospel
Throughout the world, may they continue to show
The lord’s unconditional love.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For our loved ones who have been called home to God,
May they find peace in eternal kingdom.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For the children of Mercy Home,
As they prepare for the school year,
May they find strength to continue their healing.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whose hearts have turned away from their faith,
May they once again know the comfort and peace
Of the lord’s presence.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God, hear the prayer spoken out loud
And all that we carry deep in our hearts as we lift them up
And pray through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
(Priest quietly prays)
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Through the mingling of water and wine,
We come to share the divinity of Christ,
Who humbled himself to share our humanity.
Blessed are you, lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness, we have wine to offer.
Fruit of the vine work of human hands,
May it become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God forever.
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Pray with me now in faith
That the gifts of bread and wine offered
Be acceptable to our almighty and loving God.
May the lord accept the sacrifice at our hands
For the praise and glory of God’s name,
For our good and the good of all God’s holy church.
O lord, who gained for yourself a people by adoption
Through the one sacrifice offered once for all,
Bestow graciously on us, we pray the gifts
Of unity and peace in your church through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
The lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the lord.
And let us give thanks to the lord our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give you thanks, lord,
Almighty and eternal God through Christ our lord.
For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours,
He humbled himself and was born of the Virgin.
By the passion of the cross, he freed us from unending death,
And by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal.
Now with all the angels and saints,
We sing this hymn to your glory:
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy lord, God of hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, o lord, and the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
By sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall,
So that they may become for us
The body and blood of our lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his passion,
He took bread and giving thanks, broke it.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you eat of it.
This is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when the supper ended,
He took the chalice and once more giving thanks.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you drink from it.
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new, eternal covenant.
It will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in memory of me.”
The mystery of our faith.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, o lord, ∫
∫ Until you come again. ∫
Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial
Of his death and resurrection, we offer you, lord,
The bread of life, the chalice of salvation,
Giving thanks, that you have held us worthy
To be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of Christ,
We may be gathered into one by the holy spirit.
Remember, lord, your church spread throughout the world.
Bring her to the fullness of charity,
Together with Leo, our pope, Blase… our archbishop,
And all who minister in your churches everywhere.
We pray for all our brothers and sisters
Who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection
And all who have died in your mercy.
Welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
That with the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
With joseph her spouse, with the blessed apostles
And all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
We may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,
And one day there praise and glorify you
Through your son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, and in him, o God, almighty father,
In the unity of the holy spirit,
All glory and honor are yours, forever and ever.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
And now with confidence we pray as Jesus taught us:
Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, lord, we pray, from every evil
And graciously grant peace this day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin,
Protect us from anxiety and despair
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and forever.
The peace of the lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
And friends, from all of us here at Mercy Home
For Boys and Girls, to all of you friends at home,
We extend the peace of Christ.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
We behold in faith Jesus,
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,
Strengthened are we invited to this supper of the lamb.
-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
May the body of Christ, may the blood of Christ
Keep us safe for everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
For those of you at home,
Please turn to page six in your tv mass guide
And join in singing our communion song,
“At the table of Jesus.”
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Where love and charity are found ∫
∫ There God is among; ∫
∫ God’s goodness abounds. ∫
∫ As Christ gathers many as one, ∫
∫ Let our hearts be glad ∫
∫ And reflect God’s love. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Joined with the angels ‘ and the saints, ∫
∫ Beholding God’s glory ∫
∫ And tasting God’s grace, ∫
∫ We’ll sing praise ∫
∫ In God’s holy place, ∫
∫ And with heaven’s host ∫
∫ We’ll come face to face. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
We pray.
Complete within us, o lord,
The healing work of your mercy,
And graciously perfect and sustain us
So that in all things we may please you
Through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
And I invite you now to join me in the beautiful prayer
For the children of Mercy Home.
We say together:
Our lady of mercy,
We pray that you will guide, protect, and bless
All boys and girls who this day have a home called mercy.
May they find the father’s mercy
As we offer them our hearts
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
May they see God’s mercy in action
Through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.
Friends, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing.
Almighty God, give us the courage,
The wisdom, and the strength
To see what is the gate of action
That we are being called to walk through today
As we go forward with your blessing
In the name of the father,
And of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
We go in peace to love and serve God
By our care for one another.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ In Christ there is no east or west, ∫
∫ In him no south or north, ∫
∫ But one great family bound by love ∫
∫ Throughout the whole wide earth. ∫
∫ Join hands disciples… ∫
Hello, my friends.
As you know, as I know,
This tv ministry at Mercy Home is so important.
It allows us to gather wherever you may be
To participate in the prayer of the church.
It allows us to pray for one another
And how important it is.
It allows you and me to pray for the children here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
We’re nourished by our presence together
And by the celebration of the eucharist.
I just want to take this opportunity
To thank you so very much
For the ways in which you support this mass here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Please consider doing that going forward as well.
May God bless you and your family and your friends
For all you do for the tv mass at Mercy Home
And for our children.
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
And its World Library Publications Division.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
Homily Video
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript
∫ [Piano music] ∫
The following presentation is made possible
By the generosity of the viewers
Of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.
Good morning and welcome
To Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Today, we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My name is dan riley.
I am joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr,
And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
∫ Oh, deep in my heart ∫
∫ I do believe ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
In the name of the father, and of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
The grace, the peace, the love of God be with each of you.
-And with your spirit.
We come together in faith, hope, and love,
Trusting God’s mercy.
We call to mine our sins.
Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another
And to the father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division.
Christ, have mercy.
-Christ, have mercy.
And lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us,
Forgive us our sins,
And one day bring us to what the eucharist reminds us of,
The banquet one day of everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
Let us pray.
O God, who caused the minds of the faithful
To unite in a single purpose,
Grant your people to love what you command
And to desire what you promise.
That amid the uncertainties of this world,
Our hearts may be fixed on the place
Where true gladness is found.
Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,
Who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever.
-Amen.
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
“Thus says the lord, I know their works and their thoughts,
And I come to gather nations of every language.
They shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them.
From them I will send fugitives to the nations,
To Tarshish, Poot and Lud, Mosak, Tubal and Javan,
To the distant coastlands that have never
Heard of my fame or seen my glory.
And they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters
From all the nations as an offering to the lord,
On horses and in chariots,
In carts, upon mules and dramadaries,
To Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the lord,
Just as the Israelites bring their offering
To the house of the lord in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites,
Says the lord.
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ O praise the lord, all you nations, ∫
∫ Acclaim him, all you peoples, ∫
∫ For his merciful love has prevailed over us ∫
∫ And the lord’s faithfulness endures forever. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
“Brothers and sisters, you have forgotten
The exhortation addressed to you as children.
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the lord
Or lose heart when reproved by him,
For whom the lord loves, he disciplines.
He scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as discipline.
God treats you as sons.
For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
At that time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy,
But for pain.
Yet later it brings the peaceful fruits of righteousness
To those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet
That what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.”
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the lord. ∫
∫ No one comes to the father except through me. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
Brothers and sisters in faith, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Ours is a reading now from the holy gospel according to Luke.
-Glory to you, o lord.
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
Teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, “lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them, “strive to enter through the narrow gate.
For many I tell you will attempt to enter,
But will not be strong enough.”
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
Then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
“Lord, open the door for us.”
He will say to you in reply,
“I do not know where you are from.”
And you will say, “we ate and drank in your company
And you taught in our streets.”
Then he will say to you,
“I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, you evildoers.”
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
When you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
And all the prophets in the kingdom of God,
And you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and west
And from the north and south
And will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some who are first will be last
And some who are last will be first.
The gospel of the lord.
-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ.
I smile to myself when I read through today’s gospel
Because nobody wants to flunk salvation class.
They don’t want to be stuck outside,
Unsaved, after the master locks the door.
So I want us to consider today
What is the narrow gate that Jesus speaks of?
What exactly is it?
And I think we might consider the narrow gate
Being the gate of action.
The gate of action.
Luke presents Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate,
Emphasizing the necessity of striving to enter
The kingdom of God through action,
Not mere association or passive belief.
When asked if only a few would be saved,
Jesus responds, “strive to enter through the narrow door,
For many I tell you will seek to enter,
But will not be able.”
This passage challenges complacency,
Warning that simply knowing about Jesus
Or hearing about his teaching is insufficient.
True discipleship requires active engagement
And transformation.
Following Christ requires intentional effort,
Intentional effort.
The narrow gate is the gate of action.
Now, even those of us who are more confined to home,
And I know many of us who watch the tv mass
May have some mobility issues and being confined,
But even those of us confined to home
Can put our faith into action
In simple and yet meaningful ways.
And here are some bare-bones but impactful ways.
Dedicate time to daily prayer for others,
The community, our global issues.
How about considering writing encouraging cards
Or making meaningful phone calls?
Anyone can send a handwritten note or text
Or make a phone call that will uplift the spirits of others.
Do we realize even the smallest acts of kindness,
Like smiling, listening, or complementing another
Can be a reflection of God’s love?
I know not everyone is online,
But I also know a lot of people and many seniors who are.
What a great way online to share faith-based messages,
Favorite scripture passages
Or stories about how your faith supports you,
Especially if you’ve gone through some difficult times
Or a challenge.
Keeping favorite charities,
Like Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, in mind.
Any contribution to those charities
Can be practical and helpful ways to put faith into action.
At every stage and age,
Our life of discipleship following Christ
Requires intentional action,
And that’s what the gospel today is about.
Faith in action does not have to be grand.
Even small, consistent acts of thoughtfulness and love
Can make a big difference.
And so friends, today take some time
And think about this question:
As a result of my knowing Jesus,
What might the gate of action be
That I am asked to walk through today?
What might that gate of action be?
And now we profess together what we believe;
In the apostles’ creed.
We’ll say that together:
I believe in God, the father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord,
Who was conceived by the power of the holy spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again and ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church,
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.
This is our faith.
In faith, hope and love,
We bring our many cares and needs now
And place them before God.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”
For the pope and church leaders who spread the gospel
Throughout the world, may they continue to show
The lord’s unconditional love.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For our loved ones who have been called home to God,
May they find peace in eternal kingdom.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For the children of Mercy Home,
As they prepare for the school year,
May they find strength to continue their healing.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whose hearts have turned away from their faith,
May they once again know the comfort and peace
Of the lord’s presence.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God, hear the prayer spoken out loud
And all that we carry deep in our hearts as we lift them up
And pray through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
(Priest quietly prays)
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Through the mingling of water and wine,
We come to share the divinity of Christ,
Who humbled himself to share our humanity.
Blessed are you, lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness, we have wine to offer.
Fruit of the vine work of human hands,
May it become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God forever.
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Pray with me now in faith
That the gifts of bread and wine offered
Be acceptable to our almighty and loving God.
May the lord accept the sacrifice at our hands
For the praise and glory of God’s name,
For our good and the good of all God’s holy church.
O lord, who gained for yourself a people by adoption
Through the one sacrifice offered once for all,
Bestow graciously on us, we pray the gifts
Of unity and peace in your church through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
The lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the lord.
And let us give thanks to the lord our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give you thanks, lord,
Almighty and eternal God through Christ our lord.
For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours,
He humbled himself and was born of the Virgin.
By the passion of the cross, he freed us from unending death,
And by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal.
Now with all the angels and saints,
We sing this hymn to your glory:
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy lord, God of hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, o lord, and the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
By sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall,
So that they may become for us
The body and blood of our lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his passion,
He took bread and giving thanks, broke it.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you eat of it.
This is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when the supper ended,
He took the chalice and once more giving thanks.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you drink from it.
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new, eternal covenant.
It will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in memory of me.”
The mystery of our faith.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, o lord, ∫
∫ Until you come again. ∫
Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial
Of his death and resurrection, we offer you, lord,
The bread of life, the chalice of salvation,
Giving thanks, that you have held us worthy
To be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of Christ,
We may be gathered into one by the holy spirit.
Remember, lord, your church spread throughout the world.
Bring her to the fullness of charity,
Together with Leo, our pope, Blase… our archbishop,
And all who minister in your churches everywhere.
We pray for all our brothers and sisters
Who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection
And all who have died in your mercy.
Welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
That with the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
With joseph her spouse, with the blessed apostles
And all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
We may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,
And one day there praise and glorify you
Through your son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, and in him, o God, almighty father,
In the unity of the holy spirit,
All glory and honor are yours, forever and ever.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
And now with confidence we pray as Jesus taught us:
Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, lord, we pray, from every evil
And graciously grant peace this day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin,
Protect us from anxiety and despair
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and forever.
The peace of the lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
And friends, from all of us here at Mercy Home
For Boys and Girls, to all of you friends at home,
We extend the peace of Christ.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
We behold in faith Jesus,
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,
Strengthened are we invited to this supper of the lamb.
-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
May the body of Christ, may the blood of Christ
Keep us safe for everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
For those of you at home,
Please turn to page six in your tv mass guide
And join in singing our communion song,
“At the table of Jesus.”
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Where love and charity are found ∫
∫ There God is among; ∫
∫ God’s goodness abounds. ∫
∫ As Christ gathers many as one, ∫
∫ Let our hearts be glad ∫
∫ And reflect God’s love. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Joined with the angels ‘ and the saints, ∫
∫ Beholding God’s glory ∫
∫ And tasting God’s grace, ∫
∫ We’ll sing praise ∫
∫ In God’s holy place, ∫
∫ And with heaven’s host ∫
∫ We’ll come face to face. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
We pray.
Complete within us, o lord,
The healing work of your mercy,
And graciously perfect and sustain us
So that in all things we may please you
Through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
And I invite you now to join me in the beautiful prayer
For the children of Mercy Home.
We say together:
Our lady of mercy,
We pray that you will guide, protect, and bless
All boys and girls who this day have a home called mercy.
May they find the father’s mercy
As we offer them our hearts
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
May they see God’s mercy in action
Through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.
Friends, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing.
Almighty God, give us the courage,
The wisdom, and the strength
To see what is the gate of action
That we are being called to walk through today
As we go forward with your blessing
In the name of the father,
And of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
We go in peace to love and serve God
By our care for one another.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ In Christ there is no east or west, ∫
∫ In him no south or north, ∫
∫ But one great family bound by love ∫
∫ Throughout the whole wide earth. ∫
∫ Join hands disciples… ∫
Hello, my friends.
As you know, as I know,
This tv ministry at Mercy Home is so important.
It allows us to gather wherever you may be
To participate in the prayer of the church.
It allows us to pray for one another
And how important it is.
It allows you and me to pray for the children here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
We’re nourished by our presence together
And by the celebration of the eucharist.
I just want to take this opportunity
To thank you so very much
For the ways in which you support this mass here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Please consider doing that going forward as well.
May God bless you and your family and your friends
For all you do for the tv mass at Mercy Home
And for our children.
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
And its World Library Publications Division.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
Full Mass Video
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript
∫ [Piano music] ∫
The following presentation is made possible
By the generosity of the viewers
Of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls in Chicago.
Good morning and welcome
To Sunday Mass at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Today, we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time.
My name is dan riley.
I am joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr,
And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome, ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
∫ Oh, deep in my heart ∫
∫ I do believe ∫
∫ We shall overcome someday. ∫
In the name of the father, and of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
The grace, the peace, the love of God be with each of you.
-And with your spirit.
We come together in faith, hope, and love,
Trusting God’s mercy.
We call to mine our sins.
Lord Jesus, you came to reconcile us to one another
And to the father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you heal the wounds of sin and division.
Christ, have mercy.
-Christ, have mercy.
And lord Jesus, you intercede for us with your father.
Lord, have mercy.
-Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us,
Forgive us our sins,
And one day bring us to what the eucharist reminds us of,
The banquet one day of everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
∫ Glory to God in the highest, ∫
∫ And on earth peace to people of good will. ∫
Let us pray.
O God, who caused the minds of the faithful
To unite in a single purpose,
Grant your people to love what you command
And to desire what you promise.
That amid the uncertainties of this world,
Our hearts may be fixed on the place
Where true gladness is found.
Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son,
Who lives and reigns with you
In the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever.
-Amen.
A reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah.
“Thus says the lord, I know their works and their thoughts,
And I come to gather nations of every language.
They shall come and see my glory.
I will set a sign among them.
From them I will send fugitives to the nations,
To Tarshish, Poot and Lud, Mosak, Tubal and Javan,
To the distant coastlands that have never
Heard of my fame or seen my glory.
And they shall proclaim my glory among the nations.
They shall bring all your brothers and sisters
From all the nations as an offering to the lord,
On horses and in chariots,
In carts, upon mules and dramadaries,
To Jerusalem, my holy mountain, says the lord,
Just as the Israelites bring their offering
To the house of the lord in clean vessels.
Some of these I will take as priests and Levites,
Says the lord.
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
∫ O praise the lord, all you nations, ∫
∫ Acclaim him, all you peoples, ∫
∫ For his merciful love has prevailed over us ∫
∫ And the lord’s faithfulness endures forever. ∫
∫ Go out to all the world and tell the good news. ∫
A reading from the letter to the Hebrews.
“Brothers and sisters, you have forgotten
The exhortation addressed to you as children.
My son, do not disdain the discipline of the lord
Or lose heart when reproved by him,
For whom the lord loves, he disciplines.
He scourges every son he acknowledges.
Endure your trials as discipline.
God treats you as sons.
For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
At that time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy,
But for pain.
Yet later it brings the peaceful fruits of righteousness
To those who are trained by it.
So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees.
Make straight paths for your feet
That what is lame may not be disjointed but healed.”
The word of the lord.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
∫ I am the way, the truth, and the life, says the lord. ∫
∫ No one comes to the father except through me. ∫
∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫
Brothers and sisters in faith, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Ours is a reading now from the holy gospel according to Luke.
-Glory to you, o lord.
Jesus passed through towns and villages,
Teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him, “lord, will only a few people be saved?”
He answered them, “strive to enter through the narrow gate.
For many I tell you will attempt to enter,
But will not be strong enough.”
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
Then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
“Lord, open the door for us.”
He will say to you in reply,
“I do not know where you are from.”
And you will say, “we ate and drank in your company
And you taught in our streets.”
Then he will say to you,
“I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, you evildoers.”
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
When you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,
And all the prophets in the kingdom of God,
And you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and west
And from the north and south
And will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
For behold, some who are first will be last
And some who are last will be first.
The gospel of the lord.
-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ.
I smile to myself when I read through today’s gospel
Because nobody wants to flunk salvation class.
They don’t want to be stuck outside,
Unsaved, after the master locks the door.
So I want us to consider today
What is the narrow gate that Jesus speaks of?
What exactly is it?
And I think we might consider the narrow gate
Being the gate of action.
The gate of action.
Luke presents Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate,
Emphasizing the necessity of striving to enter
The kingdom of God through action,
Not mere association or passive belief.
When asked if only a few would be saved,
Jesus responds, “strive to enter through the narrow door,
For many I tell you will seek to enter,
But will not be able.”
This passage challenges complacency,
Warning that simply knowing about Jesus
Or hearing about his teaching is insufficient.
True discipleship requires active engagement
And transformation.
Following Christ requires intentional effort,
Intentional effort.
The narrow gate is the gate of action.
Now, even those of us who are more confined to home,
And I know many of us who watch the tv mass
May have some mobility issues and being confined,
But even those of us confined to home
Can put our faith into action
In simple and yet meaningful ways.
And here are some bare-bones but impactful ways.
Dedicate time to daily prayer for others,
The community, our global issues.
How about considering writing encouraging cards
Or making meaningful phone calls?
Anyone can send a handwritten note or text
Or make a phone call that will uplift the spirits of others.
Do we realize even the smallest acts of kindness,
Like smiling, listening, or complementing another
Can be a reflection of God’s love?
I know not everyone is online,
But I also know a lot of people and many seniors who are.
What a great way online to share faith-based messages,
Favorite scripture passages
Or stories about how your faith supports you,
Especially if you’ve gone through some difficult times
Or a challenge.
Keeping favorite charities,
Like Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, in mind.
Any contribution to those charities
Can be practical and helpful ways to put faith into action.
At every stage and age,
Our life of discipleship following Christ
Requires intentional action,
And that’s what the gospel today is about.
Faith in action does not have to be grand.
Even small, consistent acts of thoughtfulness and love
Can make a big difference.
And so friends, today take some time
And think about this question:
As a result of my knowing Jesus,
What might the gate of action be
That I am asked to walk through today?
What might that gate of action be?
And now we profess together what we believe;
In the apostles’ creed.
We’ll say that together:
I believe in God, the father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord,
Who was conceived by the power of the holy spirit
And born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day, he rose again and ascended into heaven
And is seated at the right hand of the father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the holy spirit, the holy catholic church,
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body and life everlasting.
Amen.
This is our faith.
In faith, hope and love,
We bring our many cares and needs now
And place them before God.
Our response to each prayer will be,
“Lord, hear our prayer.”
For the pope and church leaders who spread the gospel
Throughout the world, may they continue to show
The lord’s unconditional love.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For our loved ones who have been called home to God,
May they find peace in eternal kingdom.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For the children of Mercy Home,
As they prepare for the school year,
May they find strength to continue their healing.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
For those whose hearts have turned away from their faith,
May they once again know the comfort and peace
Of the lord’s presence.
We pray to the lord.
-Lord, hear our prayer.
Loving God, hear the prayer spoken out loud
And all that we carry deep in our hearts as we lift them up
And pray through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
(Priest quietly prays)
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Through the mingling of water and wine,
We come to share the divinity of Christ,
Who humbled himself to share our humanity.
Blessed are you, lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness, we have wine to offer.
Fruit of the vine work of human hands,
May it become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God forever.
∫ [Piano music continues] ∫
Pray with me now in faith
That the gifts of bread and wine offered
Be acceptable to our almighty and loving God.
May the lord accept the sacrifice at our hands
For the praise and glory of God’s name,
For our good and the good of all God’s holy church.
O lord, who gained for yourself a people by adoption
Through the one sacrifice offered once for all,
Bestow graciously on us, we pray the gifts
Of unity and peace in your church through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
The lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
-We lift them up to the lord.
And let us give thanks to the lord our God.
-It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
Always and everywhere to give you thanks, lord,
Almighty and eternal God through Christ our lord.
For out of compassion for the waywardness that is ours,
He humbled himself and was born of the Virgin.
By the passion of the cross, he freed us from unending death,
And by rising from the dead, he gave us life eternal.
Now with all the angels and saints,
We sing this hymn to your glory:
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Holy, holy, holy lord, God of hosts, ∫
∫ Heaven and earth are full of your glory. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest, ∫
∫ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord. ∫
∫ Hosanna in the highest. ∫
You are indeed holy, o lord, and the fount of all holiness.
Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray,
By sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall,
So that they may become for us
The body and blood of our lord Jesus Christ.
At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his passion,
He took bread and giving thanks, broke it.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you eat of it.
This is my body, which will be given up for you.”
In a similar way, when the supper ended,
He took the chalice and once more giving thanks.
He gave it to the disciples saying,
“Take this, all of you drink from it.
For this is the chalice of my blood,
The blood of the new, eternal covenant.
It will be poured out for you and for many
For the forgiveness of sin.
Do this in memory of me.”
The mystery of our faith.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ When we eat this bread and drink this cup, ∫
∫ We proclaim your death, o lord, ∫
∫ Until you come again. ∫
Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial
Of his death and resurrection, we offer you, lord,
The bread of life, the chalice of salvation,
Giving thanks, that you have held us worthy
To be in your presence and minister to you.
Humbly we pray that partaking of the body and blood of Christ,
We may be gathered into one by the holy spirit.
Remember, lord, your church spread throughout the world.
Bring her to the fullness of charity,
Together with Leo, our pope, Blase… our archbishop,
And all who minister in your churches everywhere.
We pray for all our brothers and sisters
Who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection
And all who have died in your mercy.
Welcome them into the light of your face.
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
That with the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God,
With joseph her spouse, with the blessed apostles
And all the saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
We may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,
And one day there praise and glorify you
Through your son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, and in him, o God, almighty father,
In the unity of the holy spirit,
All glory and honor are yours, forever and ever.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Amen, amen, amen. ∫
And now with confidence we pray as Jesus taught us:
Our father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us,
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Deliver us, lord, we pray, from every evil
And graciously grant peace this day.
In your mercy keep us free from sin,
Protect us from anxiety and despair
As we await the blessed hope
And the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ.
-For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
Now and forever.
The peace of the lord be with you always.
-And with your spirit.
And friends, from all of us here at Mercy Home
For Boys and Girls, to all of you friends at home,
We extend the peace of Christ.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Have mercy on us. ∫
∫ Lamb of God; ∫
∫ You take away the sins of the world, ∫
∫ Grant us peace. ∫
We behold in faith Jesus,
The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,
Strengthened are we invited to this supper of the lamb.
-Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof,
But only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
May the body of Christ, may the blood of Christ
Keep us safe for everlasting life.
-Amen.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
For those of you at home,
Please turn to page six in your tv mass guide
And join in singing our communion song,
“At the table of Jesus.”
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Where love and charity are found ∫
∫ There God is among; ∫
∫ God’s goodness abounds. ∫
∫ As Christ gathers many as one, ∫
∫ Let our hearts be glad ∫
∫ And reflect God’s love. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
∫ Joined with the angels ‘ and the saints, ∫
∫ Beholding God’s glory ∫
∫ And tasting God’s grace, ∫
∫ We’ll sing praise ∫
∫ In God’s holy place, ∫
∫ And with heaven’s host ∫
∫ We’ll come face to face. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus ∫
∫ We are nourished and fed ∫
∫ By the blessing cup ∫
∫ And heaven’s living bread. ∫
∫ At the table of Jesus’ earth ∫
∫ And heaven are wed. ∫
∫ To a hungry world ∫
∫ By our God we are led. ∫
We pray.
Complete within us, o lord,
The healing work of your mercy,
And graciously perfect and sustain us
So that in all things we may please you
Through Christ our lord.
-Amen.
And I invite you now to join me in the beautiful prayer
For the children of Mercy Home.
We say together:
Our lady of mercy,
We pray that you will guide, protect, and bless
All boys and girls who this day have a home called mercy.
May they find the father’s mercy
As we offer them our hearts
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ.
May they see God’s mercy in action
Through our love, prayers, and sacrifices.
Friends, the lord be with you.
-And with your spirit.
We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing.
Almighty God, give us the courage,
The wisdom, and the strength
To see what is the gate of action
That we are being called to walk through today
As we go forward with your blessing
In the name of the father,
And of the son,
And of the holy spirit.
-Amen.
We go in peace to love and serve God
By our care for one another.
-Thanks be to God.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
∫ In Christ there is no east or west, ∫
∫ In him no south or north, ∫
∫ But one great family bound by love ∫
∫ Throughout the whole wide earth. ∫
∫ Join hands disciples… ∫
Hello, my friends.
As you know, as I know,
This tv ministry at Mercy Home is so important.
It allows us to gather wherever you may be
To participate in the prayer of the church.
It allows us to pray for one another
And how important it is.
It allows you and me to pray for the children here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
We’re nourished by our presence together
And by the celebration of the eucharist.
I just want to take this opportunity
To thank you so very much
For the ways in which you support this mass here
At Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Please consider doing that going forward as well.
May God bless you and your family and your friends
For all you do for the tv mass at Mercy Home
And for our children.
The music for the broadcast of Sunday Mass at Mercy Home
Is generously provided by G-I-A Publications Incorporated
And its World Library Publications Division.
∫ [Piano music] ∫
Homily Video
Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript
I smile to myself when I read through today’s gospel
Because nobody wants to flunk salvation class.
They don’t want to be stuck outside,
Unsaved, after the master locks the door.
So I want us to consider today
What is the narrow gate that Jesus speaks of?
What exactly is it?
And I think we might consider the narrow gate
Being the gate of action.
The gate of action.
Luke presents Jesus’ teaching about the narrow gate,
Emphasizing the necessity of striving to enter
The kingdom of God through action,
Not mere association or passive belief.
When asked if only a few would be saved,
Jesus responds, “strive to enter through the narrow door,
For many I tell you will seek to enter,
But will not be able.”
This passage challenges complacency,
Warning that simply knowing about Jesus
Or hearing about his teaching is insufficient.
True discipleship requires active engagement
And transformation.
Following Christ requires intentional effort,
Intentional effort.
The narrow gate is the gate of action.
Now, even those of us who are more confined to home,
And I know many of us who watch the tv mass
May have some mobility issues and being confined,
But even those of us confined to home
Can put our faith into action
In simple and yet meaningful ways.
And here are some bare-bones but impactful ways.
Dedicate time to daily prayer for others,
The community, our global issues.
How about considering writing encouraging cards
Or making meaningful phone calls?
Anyone can send a handwritten note or text
Or make a phone call that will uplift the spirits of others.
Do we realize even the smallest acts of kindness,
Like smiling, listening, or complementing another
Can be a reflection of God’s love?
I know not everyone is online,
But I also know a lot of people and many seniors who are.
What a great way online to share faith-based messages,
Favorite scripture passages
Or stories about how your faith supports you,
Especially if you’ve gone through some difficult times
Or a challenge.
Keeping favorite charities,
Like Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, in mind.
Any contribution to those charities
Can be practical and helpful ways to put faith into action.
At every stage and age,
Our life of discipleship following Christ
Requires intentional action,
And that’s what the gospel today is about.
Faith in action does not have to be grand.
Even small, consistent acts of thoughtfulness and love
Can make a big difference.
And so friends, today take some time
And think about this question:
As a result of my knowing Jesus,
What might the gate of action be
That I am asked to walk through today?
What might that gate of action be?
Readings
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Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 17, 2025
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 10, 2025
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 3, 2025
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