This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, September 26th is from Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48.
“At that time, John said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.’ Jesus replied, ‘Do not prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us.’”
“‘Whose side are you on?’ is a common refrain in relationships, politics, and society. We disagree with each other and then we divide ourselves by where we stand on issues, by whom we want to associate with. Jesus strove to bridge those divides.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Zech 8:1-8; Luke 9:46-50
Saint Vincent de Paul, Priest (Memorial) – “He devoted his life to acts of charity, organizing groups to provide food and clothing for all who were poor. He founded the Congregation of the Missions (Vincentians) to preach and train clergy, and, with St. Louise de Marillac, co-founded the Daughters of Charity. He was canonized in 1737 and is a patron of charitable societies.”
Tuesday Zech 8:20-23; Luke 9:51-56
Wednesday Dan 7:9-10, 13-14; John 1:47-51
Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, Archangels (Feast) – “This feast commemorates all three archangels. Michael is a warrior against evil and protector of Israel and the Church. Gabriel is a messenger who announces the Messiah’s coming and the births of John the Baptist and Jesus. Raphael served as a guardian angel protecting Tobias on his journey.”
Thursday Neh 8:1-4a, 5-6, 7b-12; Luke 10:1-12
Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – “St. Jerome translated the Bible into the Latin language of the common people (the Vulgate).”
Friday Baruch 1:15-22; Luke 10:13-16
Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – “Marie-Francoise Thérèse Martin entered the Carmelites at age fifteen. Her writings were combined into her autobiography, The Story of a Soul. She sought holiness through her “little way”: fidelity to God in the small things of everyday life.”
Saturday Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29; Matt 18:1-5, 10
The Holy Guardian Angels (Memorial) – “The word ‘angel’ (Greek, messenger) describes the intermediaries between God and humanity. They assist in our struggle against evil, announce God’s messages, and serve as guardians.” SOURCE: Living With Christ, September 2021 and October 2021