The 25th Sunday after Trinity

INTROIT. Omnia quae facisti - Song of the Three Children EVERYTHING that thou hast done to us O Lord, thou hast done in true judgement, for we have trespassed, and not obeyed thy commandments: but give glory to thy Name, and deal with us after thy loving-kindness. Ps. 119 Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord. V. Glory be.

COLLECT. O ALMIGHTY and most merciful God, of thy bountiful goodness keep us, we beseech thee, from all things that may hurt us; that we, being ready both in body and soul, may cheerfully accomplish those things which thou commandest; through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN

EPISTLE.  15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

GRADUAL. Ps. 145. The eyes of all wait upon thee, O Lord: and thou givest them their meat in due season. V. Thou openest thine hand, and fillest all things living with plenteousness. Alleluia, alleluia. V. Ps. 108 O God, my heart is ready, my hear is ready: I will sing and give praise with the best member that I have. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. St.  JESUS said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, 3 And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come. 4 Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:6 And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. 7 But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. 9 Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. 10 So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. 11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 137. By the waters of Babylon we sat down, and wept: when we remember thee, O Sion.

Jesus stands on the road between Samaria and Galilee as a healed Samaritan kneels in gratitude at His feet while nine other healed men walk away in the distance, illustrating Luke 17:11-19.

Thankfulness and Saving Faith: A Trinity 14 Reflection

Why did only one leper return to Jesus? In Luke 17:11-19, all ten lepers received physical healing, but only one returned to thank Christ. Fr. Dan explains that gratitude is more than good manners. It is the response of a heart that recognizes God’s mercy and seeks relationship with the Giver rather than simply enjoying the gift. Through thanksgiving, the Samaritan received not only cleansing but true spiritual wholeness.

A compassionate traveler helps an injured man along a roadside while a cross shines in the background, symbolizing Christ's love and the call to love our neighbors as ourselves.

Love That Crosses the Road: The Good Samaritan and Grace

The Good Samaritan teaches us that Christian love is more than feeling sympathy or performing respectable religious duties. Because Christ has first shown mercy to us, we are called to cross the road, draw near to those in need, and make His love visible through acts of compassion.

Jesus heals the deaf man in Mark 7 and says "Ephphatha, Be Opened," symbolizing the opening of spiritual ears to hear God's voice.

Ephphatha: Hearing God’s Voice Above Life’s Noise

In this Trinity 12 sermon on Mark 7:31-37, Fr. Dan reflects on Jesus healing the deaf man and connects the miracle to modern spiritual deafness caused by constant noise, distraction, and technology. Christ’s command, “Ephphatha” (“Be opened”), becomes a call for Christians to seek silence, hear God’s voice, and be transformed by His grace.