FIRST READING Sirach 35: 1-12

“Give to the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found. ”
A reading from the Book of Sirach
He who keeps the law makes many offerings; he who heeds the
commandments sacrifices a peace offering. He who returns a kindness offers
 

fine flour, and he who gives alms sacrifices a thank offering. To keep from
wickedness is pleasing to the Lord, and to forsake unrighteousness is
atonement. Do not appear before the Lord empty-handed, for all these things
are to be done because of the commandment. The offering of a righteous man
anoints the altar, and its pleasing odor rises before the Most High. The sacrifice
of a righteous man is acceptable, and the memory of it will not be forgotten.
Glorify the Lord generously, and do not stint the first fruits of your hands. With
every gift show a cheerful face, and dedicate your tithe with gladness. Give to
the Most High as he has given, and as generously as your hand has found. For
the Lord is the one who repays, and he will repay you. Do not offer him a bribe,
for he will not accept it; and do not trust to an unrighteous sacrifice; for the
Lord is the judge, and with him is no partiality.

This is the Word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17
R. If today you hear His voice, harden not your hearts.

You turn man back to dust, saying, “Return, O children of men.

For a thousand years in your sight are as yesterday, now that it is past,
or as a watch of the night. R.

You make an end of them in their sleep; the next morning they are like the
changing grass, which at dawn springs up anew, but by evening wilts and
fades. R.

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain wisdom of heart.
Return, O LORD! How long? Have pity on your servants! R.

Fill us at daybreak with your kindness that we may shout for joy and gladness
all our days. And may the gracious care of the LORD our God be ours; prosper
the work of our hand for us! Prosper the work of our hands! R.
SECOND READING Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11
“When Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians
Brothers and Sisters: If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where
Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is
on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When
Christ your life appears, then you too will appear with Him in glory. Put to
death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion,
evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry. Stop lying to one another, since you
have taken off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self,
which is being renewed, for knowledge, in the image of its creator. Here there is
not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,
slave, free; but Christ is all in all
This is the Word of the Lord. R: Thanks be to God

ALLELUIA Matthew 5:3

V Alleluia. R Alleluia
V Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R. Alleluia
GOSPEL Luke 12: 13-21
“Take care to guard against all greed”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew
Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the
inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your
judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against
all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of
possessions.” Then he told them a parable. “There was a rich man whose land
produced a bountiful harvest. He asked himself, ‘What shall I do, for I do not
have space to store my harvest?’ And he said, ‘This is what I shall do: I shall
tear down my barn and build larger ones. There I shall store all my grain and
other goods and I shall say to myself, “Now as for you, you have so many good
things stored up for many years, rest, eat, drink, be merry!” But God said to
him, ‘You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you
have prepared, to whom will they belong?’ Thus will it be for all who store up
treasure for themselves but are not rich in what matters to God.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. R: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: Brothers and Sisters, we gather to give praise to our ever faithful Father
for all the wondrous gifts we’ve received. Let us bring our prayers to God, who
will always be our help.
1. Let us pray for the leaders of the church, Pope Francis, Our Archbishop
Gabriel, the clergy, the religious and all those who labor in the Lord’s vineyard.
May the Lord’s grace continue to be with them and may their efforts yield fruits
(pause for silent prayer). We pray O Lord.
2. For all those who work to put food on our table, that they may see the
creator’s hand at work in all they do (pause for silent prayer). We pray O Lord.
3. We pray for young people: that they may persevere in hope, trusting in God's
faithfulness to them as they search for deeper meaning in life (pause for silent
prayer). We pray O Lord.
4. For an increase in vocations to the Priesthood and Consecrated Life, that the
Lord of the Harvest may open the hearts of our young people to the possibility
of a life in priesthood or religious life and the support of their family and
friends to answer the call, (pause for silent prayer). We pray O Lord.
5. For children & young people who suffer from hunger, neglect or abuse, May
the good Lord fill, comfort & console them. May He grant us the grace to
appreciate the dignity and sacredness of every part of human life (pause for
silent prayer). We pray O Lord.
6. For our country Nigeria, that our leaders may be so guided to be able to
manage the country’s vast amount of resources more efficiently for the good of
every Nigerian (pause for silent prayer). We pray O Lord.
7. Parish Prayer: Lord bless our Priest, our parish Rev. Sisters, and all our
parishioners, young and old. Keep us in union with you Father, Son & Holy
Spirit. Make our hearts like unto thine. For the sick ones restore their health,
for our jobless ones grant countless opportunities. Bless marriage couples with
good children, offer solution to all experiencing marriage problems either as
single or married, Comfort and console the bereaved. Give shelter to the
homeless; grant safety to travelers; peace in our homes and favors to all the
needy through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus………….Have mercy on us
Immaculate Heart of Mary……………Pray for us
St. Charles Lwanga…………………….Pray for us
All you Angels and Saints of God…...Pray for us

8. In the silence of our hearts, let us pray for our own private intentions…….We
pray with our mother Mary as we say; Hail Mary, full of grace….