Mass Readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- First Reading – Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29: "Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God."
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 68: "God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor."
- Second Reading – Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24A: "You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them."
- Gospel - Luke 14:1, 7-14: "Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you."
Themes for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
The readings for 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C help us think about the order of things in the Kingdom of God. In the first reading we are encouraged to act with humility. The psalm praises God's care for those on the margins. In the second reading Paul speaks of the heavenly Jerusalem, a wondrous place. In the gospel Jesus advises that we should not exalt ourselves, but should associate with the poor and under-served.
- Humility
- Raising others up
- The Kingdom of God
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Resources for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
First or Last Lesson Plan
This lesson plan on humility will encourage youth to consider what it means to be humble. Why is humility crucial to discipleship?
Litany of Humility
This prayer asks Jesus to lead us down the path of humility, wanting to be less than all others around us, so that He might be glorified instead of us. This goes well with the gospel for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C.
Humility Prayer
It is hard to put God first when we are focused on ourselves. So this prayer asks for God to help us get rid of the self-centeredness which gets in the way of discipleship.
Homilies and Reflections for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Act Against Your Attachments
From Bishop Robert Barron. "Friends, at the heart of what St. Ignatius of Loyola teaches in the 'Spiritual Exercises' is the idea of detachment. If we are to do the will of God, then we have to become detached from the worldly goods to which we are addicted. A basic principle of this detachment is 'agere contra,' which is Latin simply for 'to act against.' The idea is simple: if you are attached or addicted to some worldly good, then the best thing is to act against it—to press, aggressively even, in the opposite direction."
To Go up Higher
From Scott Hahn. "We come to the wedding banquet of heaven by way of humility and charity. This is the fatherly instruction we hear in today’s First Reading, and the message of today’s Gospel." Continue reading.
It’s All a Gift
A reflection on Luke 14:1, 7-14 from Fr. Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation. "I’d like to contrast two economies or worldviews. The first economy is capitalism, which is based on quid pro quo, reward and punishment, and justice as retribution. This much product requires this much payment. It soon becomes the framework for our fundamental relationships, our basic self-image, and actions ('I deserve'; 'You owe me'; 'I will be generous if it helps me, too'), and constructs a faulty foundation for our relationship with the Divine." Continue reading.
The Hopeful Vision of Mass
Also from Bishop Barron. "The Letter to the Hebrews is a sustained reflection on the Mass as the source and summit of the Christian life and the pivot around which history turns. Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is the sacrifice that has and will restore the communion between God and creation. As a re-presentation of this act, the Mass makes present to us our final destiny: communion with God through Christ."
Solidarity Instead of Judgment
Also from CAC. "After the incarnation of Jesus, humanity could more easily imagine a give-and-take, relational and forgiving God. Christians had a very good model and messenger in Jesus, but many outliers actually came to the 'banquet' more easily, as Jesus often says in his parables of the resented and resisted banquet, where 'the wedding hall was filled with guests, both good and bad alike' ." Continue reading.
The Importance of Meals
A reflection on the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C from Loyola Press. "Meals played an important role in the society in which Jesus lived. More than a time for sharing nourishment, they were a time to share ideas and to model different aspects of social relationships." Continue reading.
The Trouble With Honor
Another homily for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C from Bishop Robert Barron. "The key, Jesus suggests, is to order one’s life so that winning the esteem of God is all that finally matters. Why play to the fickle, unreliable crowd? In all of your thoughts, words and actions, play to the divine audience–and you will find liberation and joy."
More Thoughts for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
In Jesus' day, a banquet was a way to show off wealth. Having a bounty of food for the guests showed that you were a person of means. They also displayed one's social standing, especially since they were too large to hold indoors. Everyone could see who was in attendance. Important guests indicated that the host was also important. And these guests were given a good seat, so they could see and bee seen.
In turn, it was expected that these important guests would return the favor and invite the hosts to their homes. In doing so both host and guest would be honored again. And so the cycle continued.
The poor and disadvantaged had no place in this way of doing things. They would not bring status to the host who invited them. And they certainly couldn't repay the favor. So those who had little were left on the outside of the banquet, looking in.
Jesus invites all of us to his banquet. In fact he always seems to go out of his way to bring in those who are on the fringes of society. We are all important guests. In the same way, we must follow his example and reach out to those who seem to be left out our pushed aside, whether in our families, our communities, or our churches.
Reflection Questions for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
- Is there any group of people whom I would prefer not to associate with?
- What abundance do I have in my life which I can offer to others?
- How have I included someone on the outside recently?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.
For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.
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