Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The rich and the poor

Reading I: Amos 6:1a, 4–7 (third woe)
Reading II: 1 Timothy 6:11–16 (the good fight of faith)
Gospel: Luke 16:19–31 (the rich man and Lazarus)

Key Passage: There was a rich man and at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table. (Luke 16:19–21)

Adult: What are the “rewards” of caring for the needs of the poor?
Child: What is one thing you and your family could do this week to help those who are poor or sick?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The value of honesty

Reading I: Amos 8:4–7 (against greed)
Reading II: 1 Timothy 2:1–8 (conduct of men and women)
Gospel: Luke 16:1–13 (the dishonest steward)

Key Passage: Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much. (Luke 16:10)

Adult: Can cheating and deception ever be justified?
Child: If someone treats you unfairly, do you have the right to do the same to them?
(PastoralPlanning.com

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The courage to forgive

Reading I: Exodus 32:7–11, 13–14 (the golden calf)
Reading II: 1 Timothy 1:12–17 (Paul’s gratitude)
Gospel: Luke 15:1–32 (the prodigal son)

Key Passage: The servant replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:27–28)

Adult: When have you persistently sought after a member of your family who has lost his or her way?
Child: Have you ever felt you were not getting credit for your good works? What did you do?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Pope's Prayer Intentions for September:

Universal: Centrality of the Human Person
That each may contribute to the common good and to the building of a society that places the human person at the center.

Evangelization: Mission to Evangelize
That by participating in the Sacraments and meditating on Scripture, Christians may become more aware of their mission to evangelize.

Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Discerning God’s will

Reading I: Wisdom 9:13–18a (Solomon’s prayer)
Reading II: Philemon 9b–10, 12–17 (plea for Onesimus)
Gospel: Luke 14:25–33 (sayings on discipleship)

Key Passage: For who can learn the counsel of God? Or who can discern what the Lord wills? For the reasoning of mortals is worthless, and our designs are likely to fail. (Wisdom 9:13–14)

Adult: How do you try to discover what God is asking of you?
Child: When is it hard for you to know the right thing to do? Who helps you know?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

Seeking humility

Reading I: Sirach 3:17–18, 20, 28–29 (humility)
Reading II: Hebrews 12:18–19, 22–24a (God the judge; Jesus the mediator)
Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7–14 (a lesson in humility)

Key Passage: Jesus said, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” (Luke 14:13–14)

Adult: Has the hunger for status and influence in the world around you endangered your life as a Christian?
Child: Does it make you a better person to be chosen first for a team or some other honor? Why or why not?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C

The narrow door

Reading I: Isaiah 66:18–21 (gathering of the nations)
Reading II: Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13 (the discipline of God)
Gospel: Luke 13:22–30 (the narrow door)

Key Passage: Jesus answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

Adult: What daily choices are you making that will allow you to be recognized at the doorway of the reign of God?
Child: What good habits are you practicing in order to be a good Christian?
(from PastoralPlanning.com)