Sunday between 24 and 30 July    

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading - Genesis 18.23-32

A reading from the book of Genesis. Abraham approached the Lord and said, ‘Will the Lord destroy the righteous along with the wicked? If there are fifty righteous in the city, will the Lord destroy the whole city, including the fifty righteous within it? Surely the Lord will not do such a thing, to slay the righteous along with the wicked. Surely the Judge of all the earth will do what is right.’ And the Lord said, ‘If I find fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole city for their sake.’ Abraham said, ‘Let me dare to speak again to the Lord, even though I am but dust and ashes. If there are only forty-five righteous in the city, will the Lord destroy the city for the lack of five?’ And the Lord said, ‘I will not destroy the city, if I find forty-five righteous there.’ Again, Abraham spoke to the Lord, for forty, and thirty, and twenty, righteous. And Abraham said, ‘Oh do not let the Lord be angry, if I speak one more time. If only ten righteous are found, will the Lord destroy the city?’ And the Lord answered, ‘For the sake of ten righteous, I will not destroy the city.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - Colossians 3.12-17

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Colossians. You are now God’s chosen ones, holy, and loved by God. So clothe yourselves with compassion, and kindness; and with humility, gentleness, and patience. Be gentle with one another. And if any one amongst you has a complaint against another, forgive one another, as the Lord has forgiven you. Above all, let there be love, which is the bond of perfect unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this we are called, as one body in Christ.

Let the word of Christ dwell richly within you, so that in wisdom you may teach and encourage one another. And with grateful hearts, sing to God with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, always giving thanks to God the Father through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 11.1-13

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. One of the disciples said to Jesus, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.’ Jesus said to them, ‘When you pray, say: Father, holy is your name; may your kingdom come. Give us, each day, our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we ourselves forgive everyone who trespasses against us. And do not bring us to the time of trial.’ Then he said to them, ‘If you go to a friend, at midnight, saying, “Lend me some bread, for a guest has arrived, and I have nothing prepared,” your friend may answer, from within, “Do not bother me; for the door is locked, and we are all in bed.” But I tell you, while your friend may not get up and give you anything because of your friendship, eventually, because of your persistence, your friend will get up and give you whatever you need. So I say to you: ask, and it will be given; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. If your child asks for a fish, or an egg, you do not give a snake, or a scorpion. Even the wicked know how to give good gifts to their children. How much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask!’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.