Unlike his usual messages, this one focuses on God’s eternal plan. Paul tells us that God’s plan is a “mystery” that cannot be grasped by our human minds alone. That’s why he revealed it to us: We could never have figured it out on our own!

God has been unfolding his plan since the beginning of time. And what is his plan? To draw all men and women to him and to unite us in his Son. He wants every one of us to be with him in heaven.

To help us grasp God’s plan, Paul breaks it down into four different dimensions: First, we are redeemed by the blood of Jesus. Second, God’s grace has been lavished on us. Third, this grace will carry us through to our ultimate destination—heaven. And fourth, God has made this plan known to us so that we can become co-workers with him, giving him praise and glory by our works and our witness.

Today, as this plan continues to unfold, God wants to reassure us that it is working. He also wants us to tell everyone else that God is at work. He wants to send us all out into the world with the good news that our heavenly Father is alive and well. He wants us to assure our friends and families that God has a plan for each of their lives, a plan to bring them to heaven if they believe and trust in him.

God wants all of us to be messengers of his gospel. So as we celebrate Mass today, let’s keep Paul’s words close to our hearts so that we can share it with the people close to us. No one should have to go through his or her life without the hope, peace, and joy that come from knowing that God is in control. Life really does make sense when we know where we are headed!

“Father, thank you for revealing your mind to me. By your Spirit, help me to grasp your wisdom more deeply—and to proclaim it to everyone I meet today!”

Amos 7:12-15; Psalm 85:9-14; Mark 6:7-13

Vespers -- Evening Prayer

Vespers (Evening Prayer)

O God, come to my aid.

– O Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

world without end.

Amen. Alleluia.

A suitable hymn may be inserted at this point.

Psalm 109 (110)
The Messiah, king and priest
The Lord said to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand.’ Alleluia.
The Lord has said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand while I make your enemies your footstool.” From Zion the Lord will give you a sceptre, and you will rule in the midst of your foes. Royal power is yours in the day of your strength, among the sacred splendours. Before the dawn, I begot you from the womb. The Lord has sworn, and he will not repent: “You are a priest for ever, a priest of the priesthood of Melchisedech.” The Lord is at your right hand, and on the day of his anger he will shatter kings. He will drink from the stream as he goes – he will hold his head high. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Lord said to my lord: ‘Sit at my right hand.’ Alleluia.

Psalm 110 (111)
Great are the works of the Lord
The compassionate Lord keeps alive the memory of the wonders he has worked. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord, to be studied by all who delight in them. His works are splendour and majesty, his righteousness lasts for ever and ever. He gives us a record of the wonders he has worked, the Lord, the kind and compassionate. He gives food to those who fear him: for all ages he will remember his covenant. He has shown to his people the power of his deeds, he has given them the inheritance of the nations. Steadfastness and justice are the works of the Lord. All his precepts are to be trusted, they stand firm for ever and ever: they were laid down in faithfulness and justice. He has sent deliverance to his people; he has set up his covenant for ever. Holy is his name, and much to be feared. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. To those who fear him comes true understanding, and his praise endures for ever and ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The compassionate Lord keeps alive the memory of the wonders he has worked. Alleluia.

Canticle	(Apocalypse 19)
The wedding of the Lamb
God reigns: our Lord, the Almighty. Alleluia.
Alleluia. Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, because his judgements are true and just. Alleluia. Alleluia. Praise our God, all his servants, and you who fear him, small and great. Alleluia. Alleluia. For the Lord reigns, our God, the Almighty: let us rejoice and exult and give him glory. Alleluia. Alleluia. The marriage of the Lamb has come, and his spouse has made herself ready. Alleluia. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
God reigns: our Lord, the Almighty. Alleluia.

Short reading	1 Peter 1:3-5 ©
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time.

Short reading

1 Peter 1:3-5 ©

Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy has given us a new birth as his sons, by raising Jesus Christ from the dead, so that we have a sure hope and the promise of an inheritance that can never be spoilt or soiled and never fade away, because it is being kept for you in the heavens. Through your faith, God’s power will guard you until the salvation which has been prepared is revealed at the end of time.

Canticle	Magnificat
My soul rejoices in the Lord
The disciples cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my salvation. For he has shown me such favour – me, his lowly handmaiden. Now all generations will call me blessed, because the mighty one has done great things for me. His name is holy, his mercy lasts for generation after generation for those who revere him. He has put forth his strength: he has scattered the proud and conceited, torn princes from their thrones; but lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things; the rich he has sent away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel, he has remembered his mercy as he promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The disciples cast out many devils, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them.

Prayers and Intercessions	?
God, creator of the world, re-created it through the Redemption and renews it daily through his love. With joy we pray: – Lord, renew the wonders of your love. O God, we thank you for your power, revealed in the whole of your creation; and for your providence, revealed day by day in the world. – Lord, renew the wonders of your love. Through your Son, proclaimer of peace and victor on the Cross, free us from pointless fears and from despair. – Lord, renew the wonders of your love. To all who love and work for justice, give the gift of working together in openness and trust, building up the world in true peace. – Lord, renew the wonders of your love. Support the oppressed, give freedom to captives, console those who mourn: let the victory of the Cross transform everything. – Lord, renew the wonders of your love. After your Son was dead and buried you miraculously raised him into glory: grant that all the dead may come to share eternal life with him. – Lord, renew the wonders of your love.

Prayers and Intercessions

God, creator of the world, re-created it through the Redemption and renews it daily through his love. With joy we pray: