11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – 2 Samuel 12: 7-10, 13: Nathan tells David that despite being blessed, he sinned by killing Uriah and taking his wife. David repents, and Nathan assures him of God’s forgiveness.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: Blessed is the one forgiven by the Lord. I confessed my sins, and He forgave me. Rejoice in the Lord, who protects and delivers us.
• Second Reading – Galatians 2: 16, 19-21: We are justified by faith in Jesus, not by following the law. I live by faith in Jesus, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Gospel – Luke 7: 36-8:3: A sinful woman anoints Jesus’ feet with tears and ointment. Jesus forgives her, teaching that those forgiven much, love much. He assures her that her faith has saved her, and she can go in peace.

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C invites us to reflect on themes of mercy, forgiveness, and the call to love. The readings from 2 Samuel, Galatians, and Luke guide us to understand God’s love and how we are called to respond.

• God’s Mercy and Forgiveness: In the first reading, God forgives David after he repents for his sins. This reminds us that God’s mercy is greater than our failures, encouraging us to seek forgiveness.
• Faith Over Works: In Galatians, Paul emphasizes that we are made right with God by faith, not by the law alone. This calls us to trust in Christ’s love rather than relying only on our actions.
• Repentance Leads to Healing: David’s story shows that acknowledging our sins is the first step toward healing. The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C teaches us that repentance brings us closer to God.
• Gratitude for Forgiveness: The Gospel story of the sinful woman shows her gratitude toward Jesus for His forgiveness. Her actions encourage us to show love and thankfulness when we experience God’s mercy.
• Love as Response: Jesus teaches that those who have been forgiven much will love much. This reminds us that true love often comes from understanding God’s mercy in our lives.
• The Role of Women in Ministry: The Gospel also highlights women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry. This shows us that everyone, regardless of background, can play an important role in spreading God’s message.

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C helps us understand that faith, repentance, and gratitude lead to a deeper relationship with God. These themes encourage us to grow in love and share God’s mercy with others.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

Washed Away Prayer Service

This prayer service for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C connects well with themes of repentance and mercy in the readings. It emphasizes how Jesus washes away our sins through His sacrifice. Participants write a sin on their hand and then wash it away, symbolizing God’s forgiveness. This experience can be a meaningful addition to the Sacrament of Reconciliation or a youth ministry session about forgiveness and renewal. It offers a clear reminder of God’s mercy, as reflected in Psalm 51, calling us to a sincere and humble heart.

The Wages of Sin

In his homily for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on God’s judgment and mercy in the story of David. After committing adultery and murder, David faces God’s judgment through the prophet Nathan, who boldly confronts him. Despite David’s grave sins, God forgives him, though he still faces the consequences. Bishop Barron emphasizes that true repentance involves both receiving forgiveness and accepting the cost of sin. He warns against “cheap grace,” where forgiveness is taken lightly. Instead, he calls us to sincere repentance and to offer our lives back to God.

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focuses on God’s mercy, faith, and love. The readings from 2 Samuel, Galatians, and Luke remind us that healing begins with repentance, that faith in Christ brings us closer to God, and that understanding forgiveness helps us love more deeply. These reflections offer guidance for a deeper walk with God.

Admitting Sin, Finding Healing

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C begins with David’s story of repentance. After he realizes his sin, David admits his wrongs and turns back to God. This teaches us that admitting our sins is the first step to finding healing.

It is not easy to face our sins, but hiding them keeps us stuck. When we confess, we allow God’s mercy to work in us. We open ourselves to change and begin to heal spiritually.

David’s example reminds us that God does not expect us to be perfect. He asks us to be honest with ourselves and with Him. When we acknowledge our sins, we start on the path to a better relationship with God.

Faith Over Laws

Paul’s message in the second reading for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C is clear: we are made right with God through faith in Christ, not by following laws alone. While it is important to do good works, our actions alone cannot save us. It is our faith in Jesus that brings us closer to God.

Paul’s words remind us that we cannot earn God’s mercy. We must trust in Christ’s love, which is freely given. This means placing our faith in Jesus and relying on Him, not on our own efforts.

This message is an invitation to put Jesus at the center of our lives. It calls us to trust Him, even when we fall short. Our faith helps us understand that it is Christ’s love that makes us right with God, not just the things we do.

Forgiven Much, Loving Much

The Gospel reading for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C includes Jesus’ lesson about forgiveness and love. The sinful woman shows deep love for Jesus after receiving His forgiveness. Jesus explains that those who have been forgiven much will love much.

This lesson reminds us that understanding God’s mercy helps us love more deeply. When we recognize how much God has forgiven us, it softens our hearts toward others. We become more compassionate and willing to forgive those who hurt us.

Jesus’ words encourage us to be grateful for God’s mercy. They also challenge us to respond by loving others. True love flows from knowing how much we have been forgiven and wanting to share that love with the world.

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C encourages us to turn back to God, place our trust in Jesus, and let His mercy fill our hearts. As we reflect on these themes, may we grow in faith, embrace God’s forgiveness, and love others more fully.

Prayer

Lord, help us admit our sins and seek Your mercy. Strengthen our faith in Christ, not in our own deeds. May Your forgiveness teach us to love others deeply, as You have loved us. Amen.

• What sins are you holding onto that need to be confessed to God?
• How can you place more trust in Jesus instead of your own actions?
• How does receiving God’s mercy help you love others more?
• In what ways can you show gratitude for the forgiveness you have received?
• How does David’s story of repentance inspire you to seek healing in your own life?
• Are there areas in your life where you struggle to trust in God’s love?
• What does Paul’s message about faith over laws mean for your relationship with God?
• How can you be more forgiving toward others, knowing how much God has forgiven you?
• How has God’s mercy changed the way you view yourself and others?
• What steps can you take to grow in love for God and others this week?

The music selections for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on themes of mercy, forgiveness, and faith. Songs about God’s compassion and love align well with the readings, which highlight repentance and the need for a closer relationship with Jesus. Music that expresses trust in God, gratitude for His mercy, and the call to follow Him reflects the spirit of the Sunday readings. These songs also emphasize God’s readiness to forgive and invite us to love others more deeply.

• 10000 Reasons by Matt Redman
• Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin
• All Are Welcome (All Belong) by Jesse Manibusan & Ken Canedo
• Canticle of the Turning by Rory Cooney
• Glory and Praise to Our God by Dan Schutte
• God, Beyond All Names by Bernadette Farrell 
• Here I Am To Worship by Jeremy Camp
• How Can I Keep From Singing by Audrey Assad
• Lord, I Need You by Matt Maher
• Mighty to Save by Laura Story
• The Jesus Song by Tom Booth
• There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy by Fredrick William Faber
• To You, O God, I Lift My Soul by Bob Hurd
• We Belong To You by Trevor Thomson
• We Walk by Faith by Marty Haugen
• What Wondrous Love Is This by Connie Campbell Hart & Randall DeBruyn

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to explore these selections for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C. Consider how they connect with the themes of the readings and lead the congregation in a spirit of repentance and renewal. Share your own suggestions in the comments to inspire others!

What date is the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The next date is Sunday June 18, 2034.
For other years see the links below:
1th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
1th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday June 18, 2034 are:
First Reading – 2 Samuel 12: 7-10, 13: Nathan Confronts David
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 32: Seeking Forgiveness
Second Reading – Galatians 2: 16, 19-21: Justified by Faith
Gospel – Luke 7:36-8:3: Jesus Forgives a Sinful Woman

What is the main message of the first reading?

The first reading shows God’s mercy toward David after he admits his sin. It teaches us that God forgives when we truly repent and turn back to Him.

Why is faith so important in the second reading?

In the second reading, Paul says that we are made right with God through faith in Jesus, not just by following laws. This reminds us to trust in Christ and His love for us, rather than relying only on our own efforts.

Why is repentance needed for healing?

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C emphasizes that acknowledging our sins is the first step toward healing. When we repent, we open ourselves to God’s mercy and healing.

What does the story of the sinful woman teach us?

The Gospel reading tells us about a woman who shows great love because she is forgiven. This story encourages us to be grateful for God’s mercy and to show love in return.

How can we show gratitude for God’s forgiveness?

We can express gratitude for God’s forgiveness by loving others, doing good deeds, and sharing God’s mercy with those around us. The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C reminds us that gratitude should be shown through action.

What does Jesus mean by loving much after being forgiven?

Jesus explains that when people realize how much they are forgiven, their love for God grows. It reminds us that understanding God’s mercy leads us to love Him more deeply.

Why are women mentioned in the Gospel reading?

The Gospel includes women who supported Jesus and His mission. This shows that everyone, regardless of their past or background, is important in spreading the message of God’s love.

How can we apply these readings to our lives?

The 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C calls us to repent, trust in Jesus, and be grateful for God’s mercy. We are encouraged to love others and actively share God’s forgiveness with those around us.