This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, September 12th is from Mark 8:27-35.
“[Jesus] began to teach [his disciples] that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected, killed, and rise after three days…Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him…[Jesus] summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, ‘Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.’”
“[Jesus] told the crowd that everyone who follows him must suffer as well, must willingly take up their cross. Let us pray for the courage to take up our crosses, comforted with the knowledge that God always accompanies us in our struggles.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Autumn 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday 1 Tim 2:1-8; Luke 7:1-10
Saint John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church (Memorial) – “As archbishop of Constantinople, he began a program of reform. He was uncompromising in political and ecclesiastical affairs. His enemies contrived to have him exiled, despite the efforts of the Holy See.”
Tuesday Num 21:4b-9; Phil 2:6-11; John 3:13-17
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Feast) – “This feast commemorates the finding of the true cross by Emperor Constantine’s mother, Helen, the dedication of the original Church of the Holy Sepulchre in 335, and Christ’s victory over death by his crucifixion and resurrection.”
Wednesday 1 Tim 3:14-16; John 19:25-27
Our Lady of Sorrows (Memorial) – “This memorial was started in 1668 by the Servite Friars. In 1814, Pope Pius VII extended the celebration to the whole Western Church. The seven sorrows are: Simeon’s prophecy at the presentation of Jesus in the temple, the flight into Egypt, the disappearance of the boy Jesus in Jerusalem, the road to Calvary, the crucifixion, the removal from the cross, and the entombment.”
Thursday 1 Tim 4:12-16; Luke 7:36-50
Saint Cornelius, Pope, and Cyprian, Bishop, Martyrs (Memorial) – “Cornelius was elected pope during the Decian persecution. Under renewed persecution, Cornelius was arrested, banished, and died in exile. A few years later, under the Valerian persecution, Cyprian was also arrested, banished, and condemned to death.”
Friday 1 Tim 6:2c-12; Luke 8:1-3
Saturday 1 Tim 6:13-16; Luke 8:4-15
SOURCE: Living With Christ, September 2021