Sunday July 27, 2025

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Office: Psalter week 1, Te Deum

Mass prop. Gloria. Creed. Preface of Sunday

Vestment: Green

Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery

Vespers II of the 17th Sunday of the year

WORLD DAY FOR GRANDPARENTS AND THE ELDERLY

Theme of the Sunday: WHEN YOU PRAY SAY “FATHER.....” The Bible urges us to pray always, to thank God in all the situations of our life (I Thes. 5:17-18). But what is prayer? When should we pray? How and why should we pray? The first reading and the gospel give us answers to these questions. We pray so that we may see the world, people and history as God sees theirs. We need to purify our hearts and this can only happen in prayer. The second reading tells us what the Christian is. A Christian is one who, through baptism, has become a part of the body of Christ. Being in Christ, the disciple prays like him.

ENTRANCE ANTIPHON Cf. Ps 67: 6-7, 36

God is in his holy place, God who unites those who dwell in his house; he himself gives might and strength to his people.

The Gloria

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you. We bless you. We adore you. We glorify you. We give you thanks for your great glory. Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

COLLECT

O God, protector of those who hope in you, without whom nothing has firm foundation, nothing is holy, bestow in abundance your mercy upon us and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide, we may use the good things that pass in such a way as to hold fast even now to those that ever endure. Through our Lord Jesus Christ…..

-FIRST READING-

“Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once.”

A reading from the Book of Genesis (Genesis 18:20-32)

In those days: The Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave, I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know.” So the men turned from there, and went towards Sodom; but Abraham still stood before the Lord. Then Abraham drew near, and said, “Will you indeed destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will you then destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from you to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.” Abraham answered, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes. Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking? Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.” Again he spoke to him, and said, “Suppose forty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of forty I will not do it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.” He said, “Behold, I have taken upon myself to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.” Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 13b:1-2a.2bcd-3. 5-7ab.7c-8 (R. 3a)

R/. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart;
You have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I praise you.
I bow down towards your holy temple. R/.

I give thanks to your name
For your merciful love and your faithfulness.
You have exalted your name and your promise over all.
On the day I called, you answered me;
You increased the strength of my soul. R/.

R/. On the day I called, you answered me, O Lord.

The Lord is high, yet he looks on the lowly,
And the haughty he knows from afar.
You give me life though I walk amid affliction;
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes. R/.

With your right hand you save me;
The Lord will accomplish this for me.
O Lord, your merciful love is eternal;
Discard not the work of your hands. R/.

-SECOND READING-

“God made you alive with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”

A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians (Colossians 2: 12-14)

Brethren: You were buried with Christ in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having cancelled the bond which stood against us with its legal demands; this he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Romans 6:15bc

Alleluia. You have received the spirit of sonship; in him we cry, “Abba! Father!” Alleluia.

-GOSPEL

“Ask, and it will be given to you.”

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11: 1- 13)

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation.” And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

The Gospel of the Lord.


THE CREED (I BELIEVE)

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible, I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ the only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father from all ages, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten not made, consubstantial with the Father, through Him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation. He came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried and rose again on the third day in accordance with the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord the giver of life, who proceed from the father and son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and life of the word to come. Amen.

PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

Celebrant:

Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds us of the need to pray always. Following his exhortation, let us, with one heart and mind, turn to him with our petitions.

FOR THE CHURCH: that she may remain steadfast in her task of evangelization and the building up of God’s kingdom on earth. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR COMMUNITIES IN OUR COUNTRY EXPERIENCING ARMED VIOLENCE: that the Lord may bring to an end their distressing situations and fill their land with his peace. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THE HABIT OF PRAYER: that they may rediscover God as their Father who is ever ready to answer their cry when they seek him in their time of need. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR MEMBERS OF OUR WORSHIPPING COMMUNITY: that we may seek to nourish our relationship with Jesus Christ with the word of God, the sacraments and consistent life of prayer. Let us pray to the Lord.

FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).

FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.

We pray in silence for our private intentions.

Celebrant:

Father, through your Son, you have shown to us your inexhaustible mercy. We humbly ask you, in your loving kindness, to safeguard us and to hear our prayers. Through Christ our Lord.

R/. Amen.

TODAY'S REFLECTION

At the depth of each and every one of us is a desire to connect to God. Prayer is the expression of such a desire. The disciples of Jesus ask for the greatest of all lessons; to be taught to pray. In prayer we commune with God. We come to have a beatific experience of God and heaven. Above all, Jesus teaches us that, when we pray, the floodgates of heaven are opened. But how do we open the floodgates of heaven in prayer? The only virtue needed for us in prayer to open the doors of heaven is persistence. Any time we pray, we shift the goalpost of life to our area of competitive advantage over the devil. The forces of evil are overpowered when we pray.

PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL

Lord God, my saviour I cry out all day, and at night I come before you. Hear my prayers; listen to my cry for help! Psalm 88:1

It is written, “He disappointed the devices of the wicked so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise” (Job 5:12).

Everlasting Father, please frustrate all conspiracies and evil schemes directed against me in the name of Jesus.
Most High God, my life is in your hand, please be my defense (Psalm 7:10, Job 22:25). Protect me when I go out, when I come in, and all the days of my life in the name of Jesus.
Pray with Psalm 91 (meditatively)

Appreciation
God Bless you
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PRAYER FOR NIGERIA IN DISTRESS

All powerful and merciful Father,
You are the God of justice, love and peace.
You rule over the nations of the earth.
Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.
We present our country Nigeria before you.
We praise and thank you for you are the source of all we have and are.
We are sorry for all the sins we have committed
and for the good deeds we have failed to do.
In your loving forgiveness,
keep us safe from the punishment we deserve.
Lord, we are weighed down not only by uncertainties,
but also by moral, economic and political problems.
Listen to the cries of your people who confidently turn to you,
Our God of infinite goodness,
our strength in adversity,
our health in weakness,
our comfort in sorrow;
be merciful to us your people.
Spare this nation Nigeria from chaos, anarchy and doom.
Bless us with your kingdom of justice, love and peace.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

*WOW!!!! PEOPLE CAN BE CREATIVE. CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS WRITE UP!*

*ENJOY YOURSELF.*

I went to *Genesis* village through *Exodus* road. On the way, I saw *Leviticus* recording the *Numbers* of people at *Deuteronomy*, while *Joshua* was waiting at the Beautiful gate for *Judges* to see *Ruth* calling loudly *"Samuel*, *Samuel*. At a stage, the *first and second Kings* of *Chronicles 1 & 2,* were coming to visit *Ezra*, *Nehemiah* and *Esther* for the misfortune of *Job* their brother. They started singing *Psalms* and teaching children *Proverbs* concerning *Ecclesiastes* and *Songs of Solomon*. This coincided with the period that *Isaiah* was engaged in *Jeremiah's* *Lamentations* together with *Ezekiel and Daniel* their friends. By that time, *Amos* and *Obadiah* were not around. Three days later, *Hosea*, *Joel* and *Jonah* travelled in the same ship with *Micah* and *Nahum* to Jerusalem. *Habakkuk* then visited *Zephaniah*
who introduced him to *Haggai* a friend of *Zechariah* whose cousin is *Malachi*.
Immediately after the tradition, *Mathew, Mark, Luke and John* got involved in *Acts* of the *Romans* who were behaving like the *1st Corinthians* group because the *2nd Corinthians* group were always at loggerheads with the *Galatians*. At that time too, they realized that the *Ephesians* and *Philippians* were close to the *Colossians*, and a suggestion for the *first Thessalonians* visit was made, and that on their *second Thessalonians* visit, they should first of all see the *first and second of the Timothy* brothers who had gone to the house of *Titus* to teach *Philemon* his younger brother how to read and write in *Hebrew*. On hearing this, *James* asked *Peter* twice to explain to him how the *three Johns* have disclosed to *Jude* the *Revelations* of this journey.

*OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL*

DATE: FRIDAY, JULY 25TH, 2025

*TOPIC: WATCH AND PRAY*

*MEMORISE*
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. *Luke 21:36*

*READ: Luke 21:8,34-36 (KJV)*
8. And He said: "Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am He,' and, 'The time has drawn near.' Therefore do not go after them.

34. "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.

35. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth.

36. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

MESSAGE
*To watch and pray in Christendom means that a believer needs to be awake and on guard so that sin will not creep into his or her life. It further implies that a believer must have a constant connection with God.*

As God's child, you must be watchful and prayerful because satan roams about as a roaring lion looking for whom to devour (1 Peter 5:8); he is always on the lookout, seeking opportunities to strike God's children.

His whole desire is to turn you away from following and obeying God; therefore, you must not let down your guard.

The devil executes his plans mainly by distracting you. For instance, if you have many friends who do not understand spiritual matters, they will question your reasons for fasting, praying, paying your tithe, et cetera.

Gradually, their influence might become a stronghold in your heart, and you might start questioning biblical doctrines also. Eventually, you might let your guard down and join them.

*My dear child, I encourage you to check if God's word backs everything you do and the doctrines you follow. You must also flee all appearances of evil, and be sensitive in the spirit. Fix your gaze on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and I am certain that you will overcome in the end.*

*KEY POINT*
Be watchful to avoid distractions around you.

*BIBLE IN ONE YEAR*
2 Chronicles 14:1-16:14, Romans 9:1-24.

*AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE AND PASTOR (MRS) FOLU ADEBOYE*

*HYMN 10 - CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE*
1. Christian! seek not yet repose;
Hear thy guardian angel say,
"Thou art in the midst of foes:
Watch and pray!"

2. Principalities and powers,
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for thy unguarded hours:
"Watch and pray."

3. Gird thy heavenly armour on;
Wear it every night and day
Ambush'd lies the evil one:
"Watch and pray."

4. Hear the victors who o'ercame;
Still they mark each warrior's way;
All with one sweet voice exclaim,
"Watch and pray!"

5. Hear, above all, hear they Lord,
Him thou lovest to obey;
Hide within my heart His word
"Watch and pray!"

6. Watch, as if on that alone
Hung the issue of the day;
Pray, that help may be sent down:
Watch and pray.

Romans 8:26-28: Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.