September 3, 2017

22nd Sun., Ordinary Time

September 3, 2017:  Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

See about 10 connections with today?
Legend below
Listen

For Psalm 63
For the gospel

  • Salve Regina Gregorian chant in honor of St. Gregory (celebrated /today/ when it doesn't fall on Sunday) and Our Lady [Queen] of the Angels (celebrated /yesterday/)
Five new psalm settings for the next three Sundays
Pope Francis Angelus
I'm close to the people of South Asia suffering the devastating floods and to the residents of Texas and Louisiana suffering as a result of Hurricane Harvey.  May Mary the Most Holy, consoler of the afflicted, obtain from the Lord the grace of comfort for all in these painful circumstances.


 Read
  • Jer 20:7-9  You duped me, Lord, and I let myself be duped; everyone mocks me.  Your word has brought me derision and reproach.  I say to myself, I won't speak in his name any more, but then your word becomes like fire in my heart, imprisoned in my bones, and I grow weary holding it in.
    Wordle: Readings 8-31-14
  • Ps 63:2-6, 8-9  "My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God," like parched land for water.  I bless you, call on you, and cling to you.  You help, uphold, and satisfy me.  In the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
  • Rom 12:1-2  Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, pleasing to God.  Don't conform to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, to discern God's will.
  • Mt 16:21-27  Jesus began to show his disciples he must suffer and be killed and raised.  Peter rebuked him:  “God forbid!...”  Jesus:  “Get behind me, Satan!  You're an obstacle to me, thinking not as God but as a human being.  To come after me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.  Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.  What profit is there in gaining the world but forfeiting your life?  The Son will come and repay all according to their conduct.”
Reflect
  • Creighton:  Peter was acting out of fear. Can you blame him for saying what he did?  But Jesus reminds him to trust in God’s plan. Don’t let your fears come between you and God and his plan.  We must get past our humanity and trust God to gain life. It's natural for us to feel less stress when we're in control, and Peter was likely trying to feel control. But Jesus tells us to give up control to God to achieve life. May we listen to and trust the Spirit's guidance and recognize and reject the messages from the dark spirit that stir up fear and stress....
    No, Jesus; don't do that...
  • One Bread, One Body:  "Suffering too much?"  Though Jeremiah had expected to suffer for being God's prophet, he suffered more than than he'd expected and so he decided to quit serving the Lord.  Jesus told his disciples he'd suffer greatly and be killed.  Peter didn't want to suffer, and he knew disciples follow their master, so he tried to talk Jesus out of suffering.  We, like Jeremiah and Peter, are no fans of suffering, but Jesus insists: "To come after Me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow in my steps."  Jesus will remove some suffering by forgiving, healing, and freeing us, he'll also call us to take his yoke on us, bear our share of hardship, share his sufferings by being formed into the pattern of his death, and rejoice in that sharing.  Christianity isn't genuine without the Cross.  Lift high the cross!
  • Passionist:  May we live today well, walking hand-in-hand with our Father; spending time with Jesus, 
  • DailyScripture.net:  "Take up your cross daily and follow Christ":  There's no victory or glory without the cross.  When Jesus prophesied his passion, Peter, wanting to protect him, rebuked him, but Jesus called him 'satan' ('adversary') because his response was a temptation to a different path; he reminded him of his role as disciple, to trust and follow his master.  Jesus knew he could only ransom, free, and heal us through his cross and resurrection.  He told his disciples they must lay down their lives to gain new life.  Paradox:  we lose what we gain and gain what we lose. When we surrender to God, he gives us new life. We need to attend to our spiritual health to be ready to do God's will.  Will I part with whatever keeps me from following the Lord?  Possessions can't buy heaven, mend a broken heart, or cheer a lonely person.  What cross does Jesus command me to take up today?
Dress legend
  • 'John's jokers' tie:  "I'm an object of laughter" (1st reading)
  • 'Fire' pin:  "The Lord's word becomes like fire in my heart" (1st reading)
  • 'Pine tree' tie pin:  "My flesh 'pines' for you" (psalm)
  • 'Hands' pin:  "Lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name"; "your right hand upholds me" (psalm)
  • 'Silverware' tie pin:  "As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied" (psalm)
  • 'Olympics' tie pin:  "What profit is there in gaining the world but forfeiting life?" (gospel)
  • 'Angel' pin:  "The Son will come with his angels" (gospel)
  • 'Crucifix' chain:  Jesus must be killed; take up your cross and follow me (gospel)
  • Green shirt:  Ordinary Time season
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