This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, August 22nd is from John 6:60-69.
[Jesus said to his disciples:] “‘The words I have spoken to you are Spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.’ Jesus knew from the beginning the ones who would not believe and the one who would betray him. And he said, ‘For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by my Father.’ As a result of this, many of his disciples returned to their former way of life and no longer accompanied him. Jesus then said to the Twelve, ‘Do you also want to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and are convinced that you are the Holy One of God.’”
“Jesus asks the Twelve if they will commit to continue to follow him. As we listen to God’s word, let us consider how we would answer each challenge and pray that our commitment to our faith be strengthened.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10; Matt 23:13-22
Tuesday Rev 21:9b-14; John 1:45-51
Saint Bartholomew, Apostle (Feast) – “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts count him as one of the twelve apostles, associating his name with Philip. But John’s gospel links the name Nathanael with Philip and never mentions Bartholomew. What is certain is that Bartholomew left everything to follow Jesus.”
Wednesday 1 Thes 2:9-13; Matt 23:27-32
Thursday 1 Thes 3:7-13; Matt 24:42-51
Friday 1 Thes 4:1-8; Matt 25:1-13
Saint Monica (Memorial) – “Saint Monica was born a Christian in North Africa. Through her example, her husband, Patricius, became a Christian. She prayed for the conversion of her son, Augustine.”
Saturday 1 Thes 4:9-11; Matt 25:14-30
Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – “Saint Augustine abandoned the Christian faith but later converted to being a Christian after he heard St. Ambrose preach while in Italy. He was ordained and became bishop of Hippo. Saint Augustine’s life story is in his Confessions. His intelligence and pastoral concern shaped Western Christianity.” SOURCE: Living With Christ, August 2021