30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C (2022)

Mass Readings for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

• First Reading – Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18: “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds; it does not rest till it reaches its goal, nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds, judges justly and affirms the right, and the Lord will not delay.”
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”
• Second Reading – 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
• Gospel – Luke 18:9-14: “The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity — greedy, dishonest, adulterous — or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.'”

Themes for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

The readings for 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C focus on God’s mercy for the poor and the humble. In the first reading we are told that God hears those who cry out in pain. And the psalm echoes this sentiment. In the second reading Paul speaks of feeling deserted by all those around him, but the Lord stood by him. In the gospel Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

• Pride
• Humility
• Trust in God

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.

First or Last? A Lesson Plan on Humility

This lesson plan encourages youth to consider why humility is an important aspect of discipleship. We should look up to Jesus. We should not spend our energy trying to get people to look up to us.

Litany of Humility

This prayer asks for the grace to be humble, and to let go of our own need to be important, so that Jesus Christ can be exalted.

Prayer for Humility

Jesus is asking us to be humble servants. This prayer asks for the grace to serve with humility.

Thanks Be to God My Deliverer

Psalm 34, the responsorial psalm for this Sunday, is a prayer of thanksgiving which David prayed when God delivered him from his enemies. This prayer based on Psalm 34 expresses this same sentiment. God delivers those who are weak and broken and powerless.

Walk in Humility

Jeff Cavins encourages us to walk in humility and remember that God is the one who justifies.

Paul at the End of the Race

From Bishop Robert Barron. Our gorgeous and deeply moving second reading this week is taken from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. I wonder whether I might invite especially the elders among us to attend carefully to this letter. It is the letter of an old man at the end of his life’s work, passing advice and authority on to his younger colleague. As he often does, Paul makes a comparison to sporting events. There is something at stake in the Christian life, something worth striving for. It is like a great race, in which we strive to win. We are meant to make it to the goal line—and perhaps the last miles will be the hardest.

Prayer and Pride

Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Our liturgy and prayer must make us humble and open to love. Otherwise there is no point.

No Favorites

Dr. Scott Hahn explains that these readings show us that God does not play favorites. He cannot be bribed or impressed. We must not take pride in our piety. Continue reading.