September 15, 2024
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 50: 5-9a
Psalm 116
James 2: 14-10
Mark 8: 27-35
We Cannot Stand Still
“But who do you say that I am?” This question is one I must pose to people as a matter of my ministry. Who do you say Jesus is? But it is also one thing I must ask myself as well.
For me, Jesus is someone who is personal. He is one who is present to me making the Father known to me, the Father who is love. Moreover, Jesus is my example as to what I must do and how I am to act in good times and challenging times as well.
Jesus’ words at the end of today’s passage challenge all of us to authentic discipleship. We are to have a total commitment to Christ through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross. Everyone has some cross, some challenge, to carry even as it is less than that of Jesus. With that, we all must move forward in life. We cannot stand still and there is no turning back.
In the second reading, James makes an interesting point. “Demonstrate your faith to me without work, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.” When aware of the closeness of God to one’s life, a person is compelled to act with love. The good works one does are likely the result of faith. What about people who do not believe? Can they not do good deeds too?
All people may do good regardless of faith. Even if a person rejects God, he or she still has a spark of the divine within. Each person is made in God’s image. There is no escaping the fundamental goodness of humanity. Let me return to my personal reflection.
While every person is capable of doing good, I have an advantage over one who has no faith in God. I know the Lord. I know He is the source of all goodness. I can go to that source of goodness and tap into it. In fact, given that we are so much united with Christ, especially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, that goodness has come within me.
Given my advantage I am able to carry on fulfilling the ministry of “doing good” to others with less chance of “burning out” as a result. I return to God in prayer and in the Liturgy and by receiving the sacraments. God opens my ear that I may understand His way. I then have the resolve to continue in the Lord’s service. You too may tap into the source of all goodness. Go to the well of God’s grace. Pray at home and come to celebrate the Liturgy each Sunday with all others of faith. In time, you will be compelled to reach out from yourself to others with Joy while being refreshed. You will not be able to stand still. You will have to move forward and tell people who Jesus is.
For me, Jesus is someone who is personal. He is one who is present to me making the Father known to me, the Father who is love. Moreover, Jesus is my example as to what I must do and how I am to act in good times and challenging times as well.
Jesus’ words at the end of today’s passage challenge all of us to authentic discipleship. We are to have a total commitment to Christ through self-renunciation and acceptance of the cross. Everyone has some cross, some challenge, to carry even as it is less than that of Jesus. With that, we all must move forward in life. We cannot stand still and there is no turning back.
In the second reading, James makes an interesting point. “Demonstrate your faith to me without work, and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.” When aware of the closeness of God to one’s life, a person is compelled to act with love. The good works one does are likely the result of faith. What about people who do not believe? Can they not do good deeds too?
All people may do good regardless of faith. Even if a person rejects God, he or she still has a spark of the divine within. Each person is made in God’s image. There is no escaping the fundamental goodness of humanity. Let me return to my personal reflection.
While every person is capable of doing good, I have an advantage over one who has no faith in God. I know the Lord. I know He is the source of all goodness. I can go to that source of goodness and tap into it. In fact, given that we are so much united with Christ, especially in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, that goodness has come within me.
Given my advantage I am able to carry on fulfilling the ministry of “doing good” to others with less chance of “burning out” as a result. I return to God in prayer and in the Liturgy and by receiving the sacraments. God opens my ear that I may understand His way. I then have the resolve to continue in the Lord’s service. You too may tap into the source of all goodness. Go to the well of God’s grace. Pray at home and come to celebrate the Liturgy each Sunday with all others of faith. In time, you will be compelled to reach out from yourself to others with Joy while being refreshed. You will not be able to stand still. You will have to move forward and tell people who Jesus is.
Peace and blessings,
Father Bob
Father Bob
Father Bob's
Video Reflections
Each week Father Bob posts a Video Reflection on the Spiritual readings for the weekend Mass. These Videos are not intended to replace your prescence at mass each week! Much like Scripture Sharing on Thursday evening from 7 pm - 8 pm, these videos act as a point of reference to enhance your knowledge and better prepare you to participate in each weeks celebration.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Each week the videos are archive and can be streamed by clicking on the Bulletin/Videos button above.
Pope Francis’ Prayer for Peace
Now, Lord, come to our aid! Grant us peace, teach us peace; guide our steps in the way of peace. Open our eyes and our hearts, and give us the courage to say: "Never again war!"; "With war everything is lost". Instill in our hearts the courage to take concrete steps to achieve peace.
Amen
Amen
Sacraments of Christian Initiation
Click on the links below for more information
Sacraments of Healing
Sacraments of Service
This Weeks Scripture Readings
September 22, 2024
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Reading I
Wis 2:12, 17-20
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 54
R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty men have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Reading II
Jas 3:16—4:3
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.
Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.
Alleluia
Cf. 2 Thes 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Gospel
Mk 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.
They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”
Next Weeks Readings
September 29, 2024
Twenty- sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
Twenty- sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Numbers 11:25-29
Psalm 19
James 5:1-6
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
The Jesus Prayer...
Lord Jesus Christ
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.
have Mercy on me a Poor Sinner.