Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday Mass - Sep 28, 2025 - Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Carl Morello
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Twenty-Sixth 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 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

My name is Dan Riley. 

I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr 

And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello. 

∫ Let all mortal flesh keep silence, ∫ 

∫ And with fear and trembling stand. ∫ 

∫ Ponder nothing earthly-minded, ∫ 

∫ For with blessing in his hand, ∫ 

∫ Christ our God to earth, descending, ∫ 

∫ Comes our homage to demand. ∫ 

In the name of the father, 

And of the son, 

And of the holy spirit, 

Amen. 

The grace, the peace, and the love of God be with each of you. 

-And with your spirit. 

As we gather, a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Trusting God’s mercy, we call to mind our sins. 

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations 

Into the peace of God’s kingdom. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you come in word and sacrament 

To strengthen us in holiness. 

Christ have mercy. 

-Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you will come in glory 

With salvation for your people. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us, 

Forgive us all our sins, and one day bring us 

To what the eucharist reminds us of, 

The banquet 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. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

And let us pray. 

O God, who manifests your almighty power 

Above all by pardoning and showing mercy, 

Bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us, 

And make those hastening to attain your promises 

Heirs to the treasures of heaven 

Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, 

Who lives and reigns with you 

In the unity of the holy spirit, God, forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

A reading from the book of the prophet Amos. 

Thus says the lord, the God of hosts, 

Woe to the complacent and Zion. 

Lying upon beds of ivory, 

Stretched comfortably on their couches, 

They eat lambs taken from the flock and calves from the stall. 

Improvising to the music of the harp, 

Like David, they devise their own accompaniment. 

They drink wine from bowls 

And anoint themselves with the best oils. 

Yet they are not made ill by the collapse of joseph. 

Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, 

And their wanton revelry shall be done away with. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ You brought a vine out of Egypt; ∫ 

∫ You drove out the nations and planted it. ∫ 

∫ It stretched out its branches to the sea, ∫ 

∫ To the river it stretched out its shoots. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to timothy. 

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, 

Devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 

Compete well for the faith, 

Lay hold of eternal life to which you were called 

When you were made the noble confession 

In the presence of many witnesses. 

I charge you before God, 

Who gives life to all things and before Christ Jesus, 

Who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate 

For the noble confession, 

To keep the commandment without staying or reproach 

Until the appearance of our lord Jesus Christ, 

That the blessed and only ruler will make manifest 

At the proper time the king of kings 

And the lord of lords, 

Who alone has immortality, 

Who dwells in unapproachable light, 

And whom no human being has seen or can see. 

To him be honor and eternal power. 

Amen. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Though our lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, ∫ 

∫ So that by his poverty you might become rich. ∫ 

∫ 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 said to the pharisee, 

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments 

And fine linen and dined sumptuously each day, 

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus 

Covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten 

His fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. 

Dogs even came to lick his sores. 

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels 

In the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, 

And from the netherworld where he was in torment, 

He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off 

And Lazarus at his side. 

He cried out, “father Abraham, have pity on me. 

Send Lazarus to dip the finger in water and cool my tongue, 

For I am suffering torment in these flames.” 

Abraham replied, “my child, remember that you received 

What was good during your lifetime, 

While Lazarus likewise received what was bad. 

But now he is comforted here, 

Whereas you are tormented. 

Moreover, between us and you, a great chasm is established 

To prevent anyone from crossing 

Who might go from our side to yours, 

Or from your side to ours.” 

He said then, “i beg you, father, 

Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers 

So that he may warn them, 

Lest they too come to this place of torment.” 

But Abraham replied, “they have moses and the prophets. 

Let them listen to them.” 

He said, “oh no, father Abraham, 

But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” 

Then Abraham said, “if they will not listen to moses and the prophets, 

Neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” 

The gospel of the lord. 

-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ. 

 

–HOMILY– 

Wow, Jesus tells us a sobering story in today’s gospel. 

A rich man we hear dressed in fine linen 

Lives in luxury while poor Lazarus lies at his gate, 

Hungry, covered in sores, and longing for the scraps. 

But when they both die, the roles are reversed. 

The rich man finds himself in torment 

While Lazarus finds himself comforted 

At the side of Abraham. 

There’s a line in the gospel that stands out for me clearly. 

‘Between us and you, a great chasm has been put into place.’ 

Now Jesus isn’t trying to scare us in the story, 

But he wants to make sure that we are awake and aware. 

St. John Chrysostom once said, “the rich man is not condemned 

For being rich, but for not being merciful.” 

And that’s at the heart of today’s gospel. 

The sin is not luxury. 

It is indifference. Indifference. 

The chasm did not appear after death. 

You see, the rich man built it while he lived every day 

When he walked by Lazarus and chose to do nothing. 

Today, that chasm still exists. 

It’s between the housed and the unhoused, 

The comfortable and the forgotten. 

And we build a bridge or build a chasm every day 

By how we will respond to the suffering around us. 

So how do we build that bridge? 

Well, it starts with seeing, with listening, with caring, 

Because every Lazarus we pass is not just human. 

They are a child of God. 

And so today, these readings challenge us to ask: 

Who lies at our gates? 

Who do we pass without seeing? 

We don’t have to save the world, 

But we cannot ignore the person that is right in front of us. 

Mercy is not optional. 

It’s the measure by which we are judged. 

And as st. Teresa of calcutta once said, 

“If we have no peace, 

It’s because that we have forgotten 

We belong to each other.” 

We belong to each other. 

So let’s not wait for the chasm to become permanent. 

Let’s look around us. 

What are you seeing? 

Is there some chasm that you might bridge today 

With love, with compassion, with care? 

Even the smallest gesture, a simple prayer for the other, 

Does make a difference. 

Because, friends, Jesus is still walking among us 

In the face of every Lazarus 

That we might be tempted to overlook. 

–HOMILY– 

 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, let us profess 

What draws us to action as we say the apostles’ creed: 

I believe in one God, the father almighty, 

Creator of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord, 

Who was conceived by the holy spirit, 

Born of the virgin mary, suffered under pontius pilate; 

Was crucified, died, and was buried. 

He descended into hell. 

On the third day, he rose again from the dead. 

He ascended into heaven 

And is seated at the right hand of God, the father almighty. 

From there, he will come 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 of the world to come. 

Amen. 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Let us bring our prayers and place them in the heart of God. 

Our response to each prayer will be, 

“Lord, hear our prayer.” 

For the holy father and all clergy, 

May they bring light and hope into our lives 

As they proclaim Christ’s gospel message. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For all who are serving our country abroad, 

May they return home safely to their families and friends. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For the children of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 

May they feel God’s love filling their hearts and their lives. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For those who suffer from homelessness and poverty, 

May they find hope and opportunity 

Through the compassion of others. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

Loving God, hear in the prayers we place before you 

Our willingness to act, to care for one another 

As we lift these prayers up through Christ our lord. 

-Amen. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

Through your goodness we have bread to offer, 

Which earth is given, human hands have made, 

May it become for us the bread of life. 

Blessed be God forever. 

Through the mingling of water and wine 

We come now to share the divinity of Christ 

Who humbled himself to share our humanity. 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

For 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. 

Lord, wash away my iniquities 

And cleanse me of all sin. 

∫ [Piano music continues] ∫ 

We pray 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 his name. 

For our good and the good of all God’s holy church. 

Grant us, o merciful God, 

That this our offering may find acceptance with you 

And that through it the wellspring of all blessings 

May be laid open before us 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. 

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. 

And so with angels and archangels 

And thrones and dominions 

And with all the host and powers of heaven 

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, the font 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 and 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 our holy father, with our bishop blase cupich, 

And to all the clergy and those who minister 

Through your church everywhere. 

Remember also our brothers and sisters, 

Those who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, 

And those 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 we pray now, as Jesus taught: 

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 us 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. 

And lord Jesus Christ, you said to your friends, 

“I leave you peace, my peace I give you.” 

Look not on your sins, but on the faith of your church, 

And bring us one day to the promise of your eternal kingdom, 

Where you live forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

And now the peace of the lord be with you always. 

-And with your spirit. 

Brothers and sisters in faith, 

From our home here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls 

To your home, we extend the peace and the love 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 now in faith Jesus, the lamb of God 

Who takes away the sin of the world, 

Strengthened are we invited now 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, 

“Many and great.” 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Many and great are bearers of the word, ∫ 

∫ The Christ speaks, the heart seeks. ∫ 

∫ Gathered as one, we listen to the word ∫ 

∫ And share the meal of new birth. ∫ 

∫ The wheat grows from springtime to fall, ∫ 

∫ The wine flows in Christ we recall, ∫ 

∫ The sharing of our lives with one and all. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

I invite everyone to join me now in the prayer 

For the children of Mercy Home. 

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. 

Let us pray. 

May this heavenly mystery, o lord, 

Restore us in mind and body, that we may be co-heirs 

In glory with Christ to whose suffering we are united 

Whenever we proclaim his death, 

Who lives and reigns forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

Friends, as we go into the week ahead, 

Let’s make sure we keep our eyes and our hearts open. 

Who are those most in need around us? 

We heard the story of Lazarus today. 

The face of Lazarus is all around us. 

And we can never forget that even the smallest, 

Simplest act of kindness makes a difference 

Because those faces are the face of Jesus 

And we’re called to action. 

The lord be with you. 

-And with your spirit. 

We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing. 

Creator God, we know that you are always with us, 

Calling us to live in the image and likeness 

Of your love through Jesus, 

Our lord who guides us and calls us to action. 

Strengthen us as we go forward with your blessing now 

In the name of the father 

And of the son 

And of the holy spirit. 

Amen. 

We go in peace now to love and serve God 

By our continued care for each other. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! ∫ 

∫ His the scepter, his the throne. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! His the triumph, ∫ 

∫ His the victory alone. ∫ 

∫ Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion ∫ 

∫ Thunder like a mighty flood: ∫ 

∫ “Jesus out… ∫ 

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-Sixth 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 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

My name is Dan Riley. 

I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr 

And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello. 

∫ Let all mortal flesh keep silence, ∫ 

∫ And with fear and trembling stand. ∫ 

∫ Ponder nothing earthly-minded, ∫ 

∫ For with blessing in his hand, ∫ 

∫ Christ our God to earth, descending, ∫ 

∫ Comes our homage to demand. ∫ 

In the name of the father, 

And of the son, 

And of the holy spirit, 

Amen. 

The grace, the peace, and the love of God be with each of you. 

-And with your spirit. 

As we gather, a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Trusting God’s mercy, we call to mind our sins. 

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations 

Into the peace of God’s kingdom. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you come in word and sacrament 

To strengthen us in holiness. 

Christ have mercy. 

-Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you will come in glory 

With salvation for your people. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us, 

Forgive us all our sins, and one day bring us 

To what the eucharist reminds us of, 

The banquet 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. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

And let us pray. 

O God, who manifests your almighty power 

Above all by pardoning and showing mercy, 

Bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us, 

And make those hastening to attain your promises 

Heirs to the treasures of heaven 

Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, 

Who lives and reigns with you 

In the unity of the holy spirit, God, forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

A reading from the book of the prophet Amos. 

Thus says the lord, the God of hosts, 

Woe to the complacent and Zion. 

Lying upon beds of ivory, 

Stretched comfortably on their couches, 

They eat lambs taken from the flock and calves from the stall. 

Improvising to the music of the harp, 

Like David, they devise their own accompaniment. 

They drink wine from bowls 

And anoint themselves with the best oils. 

Yet they are not made ill by the collapse of joseph. 

Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, 

And their wanton revelry shall be done away with. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ You brought a vine out of Egypt; ∫ 

∫ You drove out the nations and planted it. ∫ 

∫ It stretched out its branches to the sea, ∫ 

∫ To the river it stretched out its shoots. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to timothy. 

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, 

Devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 

Compete well for the faith, 

Lay hold of eternal life to which you were called 

When you were made the noble confession 

In the presence of many witnesses. 

I charge you before God, 

Who gives life to all things and before Christ Jesus, 

Who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate 

For the noble confession, 

To keep the commandment without staying or reproach 

Until the appearance of our lord Jesus Christ, 

That the blessed and only ruler will make manifest 

At the proper time the king of kings 

And the lord of lords, 

Who alone has immortality, 

Who dwells in unapproachable light, 

And whom no human being has seen or can see. 

To him be honor and eternal power. 

Amen. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Though our lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, ∫ 

∫ So that by his poverty you might become rich. ∫ 

∫ 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 said to the pharisee, 

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments 

And fine linen and dined sumptuously each day, 

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus 

Covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten 

His fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. 

Dogs even came to lick his sores. 

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels 

In the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, 

And from the netherworld where he was in torment, 

He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off 

And Lazarus at his side. 

He cried out, “father Abraham, have pity on me. 

Send Lazarus to dip the finger in water and cool my tongue, 

For I am suffering torment in these flames.” 

Abraham replied, “my child, remember that you received 

What was good during your lifetime, 

While Lazarus likewise received what was bad. 

But now he is comforted here, 

Whereas you are tormented. 

Moreover, between us and you, a great chasm is established 

To prevent anyone from crossing 

Who might go from our side to yours, 

Or from your side to ours.” 

He said then, “i beg you, father, 

Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers 

So that he may warn them, 

Lest they too come to this place of torment.” 

But Abraham replied, “they have moses and the prophets. 

Let them listen to them.” 

He said, “oh no, father Abraham, 

But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” 

Then Abraham said, “if they will not listen to moses and the prophets, 

Neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” 

The gospel of the lord. 

-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ. 

 

–HOMILY– 

Wow, Jesus tells us a sobering story in today’s gospel. 

A rich man we hear dressed in fine linen 

Lives in luxury while poor Lazarus lies at his gate, 

Hungry, covered in sores, and longing for the scraps. 

But when they both die, the roles are reversed. 

The rich man finds himself in torment 

While Lazarus finds himself comforted 

At the side of Abraham. 

There’s a line in the gospel that stands out for me clearly. 

‘Between us and you, a great chasm has been put into place.’ 

Now Jesus isn’t trying to scare us in the story, 

But he wants to make sure that we are awake and aware. 

St. John Chrysostom once said, “the rich man is not condemned 

For being rich, but for not being merciful.” 

And that’s at the heart of today’s gospel. 

The sin is not luxury. 

It is indifference. Indifference. 

The chasm did not appear after death. 

You see, the rich man built it while he lived every day 

When he walked by Lazarus and chose to do nothing. 

Today, that chasm still exists. 

It’s between the housed and the unhoused, 

The comfortable and the forgotten. 

And we build a bridge or build a chasm every day 

By how we will respond to the suffering around us. 

So how do we build that bridge? 

Well, it starts with seeing, with listening, with caring, 

Because every Lazarus we pass is not just human. 

They are a child of God. 

And so today, these readings challenge us to ask: 

Who lies at our gates? 

Who do we pass without seeing? 

We don’t have to save the world, 

But we cannot ignore the person that is right in front of us. 

Mercy is not optional. 

It’s the measure by which we are judged. 

And as st. Teresa of calcutta once said, 

“If we have no peace, 

It’s because that we have forgotten 

We belong to each other.” 

We belong to each other. 

So let’s not wait for the chasm to become permanent. 

Let’s look around us. 

What are you seeing? 

Is there some chasm that you might bridge today 

With love, with compassion, with care? 

Even the smallest gesture, a simple prayer for the other, 

Does make a difference. 

Because, friends, Jesus is still walking among us 

In the face of every Lazarus 

That we might be tempted to overlook. 

–HOMILY– 

 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, let us profess 

What draws us to action as we say the apostles’ creed: 

I believe in one God, the father almighty, 

Creator of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord, 

Who was conceived by the holy spirit, 

Born of the virgin mary, suffered under pontius pilate; 

Was crucified, died, and was buried. 

He descended into hell. 

On the third day, he rose again from the dead. 

He ascended into heaven 

And is seated at the right hand of God, the father almighty. 

From there, he will come 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 of the world to come. 

Amen. 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Let us bring our prayers and place them in the heart of God. 

Our response to each prayer will be, 

“Lord, hear our prayer.” 

For the holy father and all clergy, 

May they bring light and hope into our lives 

As they proclaim Christ’s gospel message. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For all who are serving our country abroad, 

May they return home safely to their families and friends. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For the children of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 

May they feel God’s love filling their hearts and their lives. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For those who suffer from homelessness and poverty, 

May they find hope and opportunity 

Through the compassion of others. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

Loving God, hear in the prayers we place before you 

Our willingness to act, to care for one another 

As we lift these prayers up through Christ our lord. 

-Amen. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

Through your goodness we have bread to offer, 

Which earth is given, human hands have made, 

May it become for us the bread of life. 

Blessed be God forever. 

Through the mingling of water and wine 

We come now to share the divinity of Christ 

Who humbled himself to share our humanity. 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

For 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. 

Lord, wash away my iniquities 

And cleanse me of all sin. 

∫ [Piano music continues] ∫ 

We pray 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 his name. 

For our good and the good of all God’s holy church. 

Grant us, o merciful God, 

That this our offering may find acceptance with you 

And that through it the wellspring of all blessings 

May be laid open before us 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. 

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. 

And so with angels and archangels 

And thrones and dominions 

And with all the host and powers of heaven 

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, the font 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 and 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 our holy father, with our bishop blase cupich, 

And to all the clergy and those who minister 

Through your church everywhere. 

Remember also our brothers and sisters, 

Those who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, 

And those 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 we pray now, as Jesus taught: 

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 us 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. 

And lord Jesus Christ, you said to your friends, 

“I leave you peace, my peace I give you.” 

Look not on your sins, but on the faith of your church, 

And bring us one day to the promise of your eternal kingdom, 

Where you live forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

And now the peace of the lord be with you always. 

-And with your spirit. 

Brothers and sisters in faith, 

From our home here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls 

To your home, we extend the peace and the love 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 now in faith Jesus, the lamb of God 

Who takes away the sin of the world, 

Strengthened are we invited now 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, 

“Many and great.” 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Many and great are bearers of the word, ∫ 

∫ The Christ speaks, the heart seeks. ∫ 

∫ Gathered as one, we listen to the word ∫ 

∫ And share the meal of new birth. ∫ 

∫ The wheat grows from springtime to fall, ∫ 

∫ The wine flows in Christ we recall, ∫ 

∫ The sharing of our lives with one and all. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

I invite everyone to join me now in the prayer 

For the children of Mercy Home. 

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. 

Let us pray. 

May this heavenly mystery, o lord, 

Restore us in mind and body, that we may be co-heirs 

In glory with Christ to whose suffering we are united 

Whenever we proclaim his death, 

Who lives and reigns forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

Friends, as we go into the week ahead, 

Let’s make sure we keep our eyes and our hearts open. 

Who are those most in need around us? 

We heard the story of Lazarus today. 

The face of Lazarus is all around us. 

And we can never forget that even the smallest, 

Simplest act of kindness makes a difference 

Because those faces are the face of Jesus 

And we’re called to action. 

The lord be with you. 

-And with your spirit. 

We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing. 

Creator God, we know that you are always with us, 

Calling us to live in the image and likeness 

Of your love through Jesus, 

Our lord who guides us and calls us to action. 

Strengthen us as we go forward with your blessing now 

In the name of the father 

And of the son 

And of the holy spirit. 

Amen. 

We go in peace now to love and serve God 

By our continued care for each other. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! ∫ 

∫ His the scepter, his the throne. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! His the triumph, ∫ 

∫ His the victory alone. ∫ 

∫ Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion ∫ 

∫ Thunder like a mighty flood: ∫ 

∫ “Jesus out… ∫ 

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-Sixth 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 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time. 

My name is Dan Riley. 

I’m joined by Tom McNamara and Maudette Carr 

And our celebrant is Father Carl Morello. 

∫ Let all mortal flesh keep silence, ∫ 

∫ And with fear and trembling stand. ∫ 

∫ Ponder nothing earthly-minded, ∫ 

∫ For with blessing in his hand, ∫ 

∫ Christ our God to earth, descending, ∫ 

∫ Comes our homage to demand. ∫ 

In the name of the father, 

And of the son, 

And of the holy spirit, 

Amen. 

The grace, the peace, and the love of God be with each of you. 

-And with your spirit. 

As we gather, a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Trusting God’s mercy, we call to mind our sins. 

Lord Jesus, you came to gather the nations 

Into the peace of God’s kingdom. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you come in word and sacrament 

To strengthen us in holiness. 

Christ have mercy. 

-Christ have mercy. 

Lord Jesus, you will come in glory 

With salvation for your people. 

Lord have mercy. 

-Lord have mercy. 

May almighty God who loves us have mercy on us, 

Forgive us all our sins, and one day bring us 

To what the eucharist reminds us of, 

The banquet 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. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

And let us pray. 

O God, who manifests your almighty power 

Above all by pardoning and showing mercy, 

Bestow, we pray, your grace abundantly upon us, 

And make those hastening to attain your promises 

Heirs to the treasures of heaven 

Through our lord Jesus Christ, your son, 

Who lives and reigns with you 

In the unity of the holy spirit, God, forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

A reading from the book of the prophet Amos. 

Thus says the lord, the God of hosts, 

Woe to the complacent and Zion. 

Lying upon beds of ivory, 

Stretched comfortably on their couches, 

They eat lambs taken from the flock and calves from the stall. 

Improvising to the music of the harp, 

Like David, they devise their own accompaniment. 

They drink wine from bowls 

And anoint themselves with the best oils. 

Yet they are not made ill by the collapse of joseph. 

Therefore, now they shall be the first to go into exile, 

And their wanton revelry shall be done away with. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

∫ You brought a vine out of Egypt; ∫ 

∫ You drove out the nations and planted it. ∫ 

∫ It stretched out its branches to the sea, ∫ 

∫ To the river it stretched out its shoots. ∫ 

∫ The vineyard of the lord is the house of Israel. ∫ 

A reading from the first letter of St. Paul to timothy. 

But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, 

Devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. 

Compete well for the faith, 

Lay hold of eternal life to which you were called 

When you were made the noble confession 

In the presence of many witnesses. 

I charge you before God, 

Who gives life to all things and before Christ Jesus, 

Who gave testimony under Pontius Pilate 

For the noble confession, 

To keep the commandment without staying or reproach 

Until the appearance of our lord Jesus Christ, 

That the blessed and only ruler will make manifest 

At the proper time the king of kings 

And the lord of lords, 

Who alone has immortality, 

Who dwells in unapproachable light, 

And whom no human being has seen or can see. 

To him be honor and eternal power. 

Amen. 

The word of the lord. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. ∫ 

∫ Though our lord Jesus Christ was rich, he became poor, ∫ 

∫ So that by his poverty you might become rich. ∫ 

∫ 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 said to the pharisee, 

“There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments 

And fine linen and dined sumptuously each day, 

And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus 

Covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten 

His fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. 

Dogs even came to lick his sores. 

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels 

In the bosom of Abraham. 

The rich man also died and was buried, 

And from the netherworld where he was in torment, 

He raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off 

And Lazarus at his side. 

He cried out, “father Abraham, have pity on me. 

Send Lazarus to dip the finger in water and cool my tongue, 

For I am suffering torment in these flames.” 

Abraham replied, “my child, remember that you received 

What was good during your lifetime, 

While Lazarus likewise received what was bad. 

But now he is comforted here, 

Whereas you are tormented. 

Moreover, between us and you, a great chasm is established 

To prevent anyone from crossing 

Who might go from our side to yours, 

Or from your side to ours.” 

He said then, “i beg you, father, 

Send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers 

So that he may warn them, 

Lest they too come to this place of torment.” 

But Abraham replied, “they have moses and the prophets. 

Let them listen to them.” 

He said, “oh no, father Abraham, 

But if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.” 

Then Abraham said, “if they will not listen to moses and the prophets, 

Neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.” 

The gospel of the lord. 

-Praise to you, lord Jesus Christ. 

 

–HOMILY– 

Wow, Jesus tells us a sobering story in today’s gospel. 

A rich man we hear dressed in fine linen 

Lives in luxury while poor Lazarus lies at his gate, 

Hungry, covered in sores, and longing for the scraps. 

But when they both die, the roles are reversed. 

The rich man finds himself in torment 

While Lazarus finds himself comforted 

At the side of Abraham. 

There’s a line in the gospel that stands out for me clearly. 

‘Between us and you, a great chasm has been put into place.’ 

Now Jesus isn’t trying to scare us in the story, 

But he wants to make sure that we are awake and aware. 

St. John Chrysostom once said, “the rich man is not condemned 

For being rich, but for not being merciful.” 

And that’s at the heart of today’s gospel. 

The sin is not luxury. 

It is indifference. Indifference. 

The chasm did not appear after death. 

You see, the rich man built it while he lived every day 

When he walked by Lazarus and chose to do nothing. 

Today, that chasm still exists. 

It’s between the housed and the unhoused, 

The comfortable and the forgotten. 

And we build a bridge or build a chasm every day 

By how we will respond to the suffering around us. 

So how do we build that bridge? 

Well, it starts with seeing, with listening, with caring, 

Because every Lazarus we pass is not just human. 

They are a child of God. 

And so today, these readings challenge us to ask: 

Who lies at our gates? 

Who do we pass without seeing? 

We don’t have to save the world, 

But we cannot ignore the person that is right in front of us. 

Mercy is not optional. 

It’s the measure by which we are judged. 

And as st. Teresa of calcutta once said, 

“If we have no peace, 

It’s because that we have forgotten 

We belong to each other.” 

We belong to each other. 

So let’s not wait for the chasm to become permanent. 

Let’s look around us. 

What are you seeing? 

Is there some chasm that you might bridge today 

With love, with compassion, with care? 

Even the smallest gesture, a simple prayer for the other, 

Does make a difference. 

Because, friends, Jesus is still walking among us 

In the face of every Lazarus 

That we might be tempted to overlook. 

–HOMILY– 

 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, let us profess 

What draws us to action as we say the apostles’ creed: 

I believe in one God, the father almighty, 

Creator of heaven and earth. 

And in Jesus Christ, his only son, our lord, 

Who was conceived by the holy spirit, 

Born of the virgin mary, suffered under pontius pilate; 

Was crucified, died, and was buried. 

He descended into hell. 

On the third day, he rose again from the dead. 

He ascended into heaven 

And is seated at the right hand of God, the father almighty. 

From there, he will come 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 of the world to come. 

Amen. 

And now, as a people of faith, hope, and love, 

Let us bring our prayers and place them in the heart of God. 

Our response to each prayer will be, 

“Lord, hear our prayer.” 

For the holy father and all clergy, 

May they bring light and hope into our lives 

As they proclaim Christ’s gospel message. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For all who are serving our country abroad, 

May they return home safely to their families and friends. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For the children of Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, 

May they feel God’s love filling their hearts and their lives. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

For those who suffer from homelessness and poverty, 

May they find hope and opportunity 

Through the compassion of others. 

We pray to the lord. 

-Lord, hear our prayer. 

Loving God, hear in the prayers we place before you 

Our willingness to act, to care for one another 

As we lift these prayers up through Christ our lord. 

-Amen. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

Through your goodness we have bread to offer, 

Which earth is given, human hands have made, 

May it become for us the bread of life. 

Blessed be God forever. 

Through the mingling of water and wine 

We come now to share the divinity of Christ 

Who humbled himself to share our humanity. 

Blessed are you, lord God of all creation. 

For 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. 

Lord, wash away my iniquities 

And cleanse me of all sin. 

∫ [Piano music continues] ∫ 

We pray 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 his name. 

For our good and the good of all God’s holy church. 

Grant us, o merciful God, 

That this our offering may find acceptance with you 

And that through it the wellspring of all blessings 

May be laid open before us 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. 

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. 

And so with angels and archangels 

And thrones and dominions 

And with all the host and powers of heaven 

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, the font 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 and 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 our holy father, with our bishop blase cupich, 

And to all the clergy and those who minister 

Through your church everywhere. 

Remember also our brothers and sisters, 

Those who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, 

And those 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 we pray now, as Jesus taught: 

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 us 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. 

And lord Jesus Christ, you said to your friends, 

“I leave you peace, my peace I give you.” 

Look not on your sins, but on the faith of your church, 

And bring us one day to the promise of your eternal kingdom, 

Where you live forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

And now the peace of the lord be with you always. 

-And with your spirit. 

Brothers and sisters in faith, 

From our home here at Mercy Home for Boys and Girls 

To your home, we extend the peace and the love 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 now in faith Jesus, the lamb of God 

Who takes away the sin of the world, 

Strengthened are we invited now 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, 

“Many and great.” 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Many and great are bearers of the word, ∫ 

∫ The Christ speaks, the heart seeks. ∫ 

∫ Gathered as one, we listen to the word ∫ 

∫ And share the meal of new birth. ∫ 

∫ The wheat grows from springtime to fall, ∫ 

∫ The wine flows in Christ we recall, ∫ 

∫ The sharing of our lives with one and all. ∫ 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

I invite everyone to join me now in the prayer 

For the children of Mercy Home. 

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. 

Let us pray. 

May this heavenly mystery, o lord, 

Restore us in mind and body, that we may be co-heirs 

In glory with Christ to whose suffering we are united 

Whenever we proclaim his death, 

Who lives and reigns forever and ever. 

-Amen. 

Friends, as we go into the week ahead, 

Let’s make sure we keep our eyes and our hearts open. 

Who are those most in need around us? 

We heard the story of Lazarus today. 

The face of Lazarus is all around us. 

And we can never forget that even the smallest, 

Simplest act of kindness makes a difference 

Because those faces are the face of Jesus 

And we’re called to action. 

The lord be with you. 

-And with your spirit. 

We bow our heads and ask God’s blessing. 

Creator God, we know that you are always with us, 

Calling us to live in the image and likeness 

Of your love through Jesus, 

Our lord who guides us and calls us to action. 

Strengthen us as we go forward with your blessing now 

In the name of the father 

And of the son 

And of the holy spirit. 

Amen. 

We go in peace now to love and serve God 

By our continued care for each other. 

-Thanks be to God. 

∫ [Piano music] ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! Sing to Jesus! ∫ 

∫ His the scepter, his the throne. ∫ 

∫ Alleluia! His the triumph, ∫ 

∫ His the victory alone. ∫ 

∫ Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion ∫ 

∫ Thunder like a mighty flood: ∫ 

∫ “Jesus out… ∫ 

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-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Homily Transcript

Wow, Jesus tells us a sobering story in today’s gospel. 

A rich man we hear dressed in fine linen 

Lives in luxury while poor Lazarus lies at his gate, 

Hungry, covered in sores, and longing for the scraps. 

But when they both die, the roles are reversed. 

The rich man finds himself in torment 

While Lazarus finds himself comforted 

At the side of Abraham. 

There’s a line in the gospel that stands out for me clearly. 

‘Between us and you, a great chasm has been put into place.’ 

Now Jesus isn’t trying to scare us in the story, 

But he wants to make sure that we are awake and aware. 

St. John Chrysostom once said, “the rich man is not condemned 

For being rich, but for not being merciful.” 

And that’s at the heart of today’s gospel. 

The sin is not luxury. 

It is indifference. Indifference. 

The chasm did not appear after death. 

You see, the rich man built it while he lived every day 

When he walked by Lazarus and chose to do nothing. 

Today, that chasm still exists. 

It’s between the housed and the unhoused, 

The comfortable and the forgotten. 

And we build a bridge or build a chasm every day 

By how we will respond to the suffering around us. 

So how do we build that bridge? 

Well, it starts with seeing, with listening, with caring, 

Because every Lazarus we pass is not just human. 

They are a child of God. 

And so today, these readings challenge us to ask: 

Who lies at our gates? 

Who do we pass without seeing? 

We don’t have to save the world, 

But we cannot ignore the person that is right in front of us. 

Mercy is not optional. 

It’s the measure by which we are judged. 

And as st. Teresa of calcutta once said, 

“If we have no peace, 

It’s because that we have forgotten 

We belong to each other.” 

We belong to each other. 

So let’s not wait for the chasm to become permanent. 

Let’s look around us. 

What are you seeing? 

Is there some chasm that you might bridge today 

With love, with compassion, with care? 

Even the smallest gesture, a simple prayer for the other, 

Does make a difference. 

Because, friends, Jesus is still walking among us 

In the face of every Lazarus 

That we might be tempted to overlook. 

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