Mass Reading: Sunday - 01st October 2023

First reading
Ezekiel 18:25-28
When the sinner renounces sin, he shall certainly live

The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘You object, “What the Lord does is unjust.” Listen, you House of Israel: is what I do unjust? Is it not what you do that is unjust? When the upright man renounces his integrity to commit sin and dies because of this, he dies because of the evil that he himself has committed. When the sinner renounces sin to become law-abiding and honest, he deserves to live. He has chosen to renounce all his previous sins; he shall certainly live; he shall not die.’

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 24(25):4-9

Remember your mercy, Lord.

Lord, make me know your ways.
    Lord, teach me your paths.
Make me walk in your truth, and teach me:
    for you are God my saviour.

Remember your mercy, Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord,
    and the love you have shown from of old.
Do not remember the sins of my youth.
    In your love remember me,
    because of your goodness, O Lord.

Remember your mercy, Lord.

The Lord is good and upright.
    He shows the path to those who stray,
He guides the humble in the right path,
    He teaches his way to the poor.

Remember your mercy, Lord.

________

Second reading
Philippians 2:1-11
Be united in your love

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first but everybody thinks of other people’s interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus:

His state was divine,

yet he did not cling

to his equality with God

but emptied himself

to assume the condition of a slave,

and became as men are;

and being as all men are,

he was humbler yet,

even to accepting death,

death on a cross.

But God raised him high

and gave him the name

which is above all other names

so that all beings in the heavens,

on earth and in the underworld,

should bend the knee at the name of Jesus

and that every tongue should acclaim

Jesus Christ as Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Jn14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

If anyone loves me he will keep my word,
and my Father will love him, 
and we shall come to him.

Alleluia!

Or:
Jn10:27

Alleluia, alleluia!

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, 
says the Lord, 
I know them and they follow me.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 21:28-32
Tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people, ‘What is your opinion? A man had two sons. He went and said to the first, “My boy, you go and work in the vineyard today.” He answered, “I will not go,” but afterwards thought better of it and went. The man then went and said the same thing to the second who answered, “Certainly, sir,” but did not go. Which of the two did the father’s will?’ ‘The first’ they said. Jesus said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, tax collectors and prostitutes are making their way into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you, a pattern of true righteousness, but you did not believe him, and yet the tax collectors and prostitutes did. Even after seeing that, you refused to think better of it and believe in him.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 01st October 2023

EZ 18:25-28; PS 25:4-5, 8-10, 14; PHIL 2:1-11 or 2:1-5; MT 21:28-32

Today’s readings challenge the modern-day disciple to imitate more fully both the actions and attitudes of Christ. This is, after all, the point of our stewardship way of life.
 
St. Paul encapsulates the actions and attitudes we must strive for in the Second Reading, from the Letter to the Philippians. “Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also for those of others.” In other words, Paul continues, “Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus.” Whether we are at work or school or within our own homes, our actions should be focused on others first in imitation of Christ, Who is always perfectly focused on others. 
 
But there is another reason for seeing others as more important than ourselves, a reason that will help us to become better stewards. It is the recognition that the “others” in my life — whether my spouse and children, my next-door neighbor, or even the co-worker that gets on my last nerve — all these others are gifts from God, to be treasured and nurtured for God’s glory. 
 
And just in case this seems like a bit too much to ask of us, St. Paul gives us another reminder about the Savior we are imitating as we embrace this attitude towards others. “Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave… he humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” Unimaginable humility.
 
We should not be overwhelmed by this high bar, however. Our God is a loving and patient Father. He embraces every faltering step we take in imitation of His Son. Jesus demonstrates this comforting truth through the parable He tells in today’s Gospel from Matthew. It is the story of two sons whose father instructs them to go out and work in his vineyard that day. The second son gives the right answer, right away: “Yes, sir.” But he does not follow through. Despite the lip service, he has failed to follow his father’s will.
 
The first son just can’t seem to get on board with his father’s command. He responds, “I will not.” At least he is honest! And this honest, less-than-perfect response should be consoling to us Christian stewards. Haven’t we all felt this way at times when God’s will for us seems to be just too hard? We can be honest with God at these times. He knows already, after all. But when we stayed engaged in a real relationship with Him, even if it’s just to say, “I don’t think I can, Lord,” He will supply us with just the grace we need to change our minds and do what He is asking us to do. 
 
We are called to a high and holy standard — living as Christ’s disciples every day and with every person the Lord places in our path. But we can move towards this goal in “baby steps.” We can even take a step backward from time to time because our Father is merciful and kind. What matters is that we keep baby stepping along, assured of the grace we need to more closely imitate the actions and attitudes of Christ. This is the beauty of the stewardship way of life.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 24th September 2023

First reading
Isaiah 55:6-9
My thoughts are not your thoughts

Seek the Lord while he is still to be found,
call to him while he is still near.
Let the wicked man abandon his way,
the evil man his thoughts.
Let him turn back to the Lord who will take pity on him,
to our God who is rich in forgiving;
for my thoughts are not your thoughts,
my ways not your ways – it is the Lord who speaks.
Yes, the heavens are as high above earth
as my ways are above your ways,
my thoughts above your thoughts.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 144(145):2-3,8-9,17-18

The Lord is close to all who call him.

I will bless you day after day
    and praise your name for ever.
The Lord is great, highly to be praised,
    his greatness cannot be measured.

The Lord is close to all who call him.

The Lord is kind and full of compassion,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
How good is the Lord to all,
    compassionate to all his creatures.

The Lord is close to all who call him.

The Lord is just in all his ways
    and loving in all his deeds.
He is close to all who call him,
    who call on him from their hearts.

The Lord is close to all who call him.

________

Second reading
Philippians 1:20-24,27
Life to me is Christ; but death would bring me more

    Christ will be glorified in my body, whether by my life or by my death. Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would bring me something more; but then again, if living in this body means doing work which is having good results – I do not know what I should choose. I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and be with Christ, which would be very much the better, but for me to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need for your sake.

    Avoid anything in your everyday lives that would be unworthy of the gospel of Christ.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
cf.Lk19:38,2:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Blessings on the King who comes,
in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven
and glory in the highest heavens!

Alleluia!

Or:

cf.Ac16:14

Alleluia, alleluia!

Open our heart, O Lord,
to accept the words of your Son.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 20:1-16
Why be envious because I am generous?

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner going out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. He made an agreement with the workers for one denarius a day, and sent them to his vineyard. Going out at about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place and said to them, “You go to my vineyard too and I will give you a fair wage.” So they went. At about the sixth hour and again at about the ninth hour, he went out and did the same. Then at about the eleventh hour he went out and found more men standing round, and he said to them, “Why have you been standing here idle all day?” “Because no one has hired us” they answered. He said to them, “You go into my vineyard too.” In the evening, the owner of the vineyard said to his bailiff, “Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last arrivals and ending with the first.” So those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came forward and received one denarius each. When the first came, they expected to get more, but they too received one denarius each. They took it, but grumbled at the landowner. “The men who came last” they said “have done only one hour, and you have treated them the same as us, though we have done a heavy day’s work in all the heat.” He answered one of them and said, “My friend, I am not being unjust to you; did we not agree on one denarius? Take your earnings and go. I choose to pay the last comer as much as I pay you. Have I no right to do what I like with my own? Why be envious because I am generous?” Thus the last will be first, and the first, last.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 24th September 2023

IS 55:6-9; PS 145:2-3, 8-9,17-18; PHIL 1:20C-24, 27A; MT 20:1-16A

Though we can never fully grasp the infinite perfection of God and His ways, a basic knowledge of Scripture reveals that God’s logic and priorities often differ from worldly logic and priorities. What does this mean for us who call ourselves His disciples and stewards? It means that our way of life should look decidedly different from a “worldly” way of life. 
 
Our first reading, from Isaiah, starts with a bang. “Seek the Lord while he may be found, call him while he is near.” As stewards, we know that all things, including time, are gifts from the Lord. The time to know, love, and serve God is now! We must not waste any of the precious moments that He has gifted to us. This means that the way we prioritize our time will often be at odds with the world’s priorities. Worldly thinking says we must focus on things like “getting ahead,” “looking out for number one” and the idea that “time is money.” 
 
We are reminded clearly in this passage, however, that God thinks bigger than this. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD. As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.” As His followers, we must strive as best we can to think as God does, using our time (and our talents and treasure, too) with eternity in mind.
 
St. Paul describes this radical kind of thinking in our second reading, from the Letter to the Philippians. He says, “Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.” For Paul, life is not about Paul. It’s about Christ. This should be our mindset as Christ’s disciples, too. 
 
In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus offers us a glimpse of the “Godly logic” of the Father through a parable of a landowner hiring workers for his vineyard.

The landowner goes out early in the morning and finds a group of laborers who agree to work for the usual daily wage. Later in the morning the landowner goes out again and notices another group “standing idle” in the marketplace. He invites them to work in his vineyard, too. The landowner repeats this exercise at noon and finally late in the day, as he comes to a last group of folks still waiting for work. At the end of the day, the landowner pays all the workers a full day’s pay, whether they had labored from the early hours of the morning or whether they had begun late in the day. This angered the laborers who had worked longest and they grumbled against the landowner. But those laborers were relying on human logic and human calculations. They were not thinking as God does. 
 
This can happen to us Christian stewards as well. We can grumble and complain (at least internally) when we compare ourselves to others and sense that not everyone is contributing as much as we are to the parish, the neighborhood, within our family and so on. At those moments, we need to think bigger! We must remember that it is a great privilege to have been called by the Father to work in His vineyard. The more time we are given to do this work, the greater the gift! 
 
Living the stewardship way of life — making Christ our life — brings us meaning, depth and purpose. Let’s embrace this Godly thinking and thank Him for calling us to this way of life. 

Mass Reading: Sunday - 17th September 2023

First reading
Ecclesiasticus 27:33-28:9
Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you; and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven

Resentment and anger, these are foul things,
    and both are found with the sinner.

He who exacts vengeance will experience the vengeance of the Lord,
    who keeps strict account of sin.

Forgive your neighbour the hurt he does you,
    and when you pray, your sins will be forgiven.

If a man nurses anger against another,
    can he then demand compassion from the Lord?

Showing no pity for a man like himself,
    can he then plead for his own sins?

Mere creature of flesh, he cherishes resentment;
    who will forgive him his sins?

Remember the last things, and stop hating,
    remember dissolution and death, and live by the commandments.

Remember the commandments, and do not bear your neighbour ill-will;
    remember the covenant of the Most High, and overlook the offence.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 102(103):1-4,9-12

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord
    all my being, bless his holy name.
My soul, give thanks to the Lord
    and never forget all his blessings.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

It is he who forgives all your guilt,
    who heals every one of your ills,
who redeems your life from the grave,
    who crowns you with love and compassion.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

His wrath will come to an end;
    he will not be angry for ever.
He does not treat us according to our sins
    nor repay us according to our faults.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

For as the heavens are high above the earth
    so strong is his love for those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west
    so far does he remove our sins.

The Lord is compassion and love, slow to anger and rich in mercy.

________

Second reading
Romans 14:7-9

Alive or dead, we belong to the Lord

    The life and death of each of us has its influence on others; if we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord, so that alive or dead we belong to the Lord. This explains why Christ both died and came to life: it was so that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
1S3:9,Jn6:68

Alleluia, alleluia!

Speak, Lord, your servant is listening:
you have the message of eternal life.

Alleluia!

Or:
Jn13:34

Alleluia, alleluia!

I give you a new commandment:
love one another just as I have loved you, 
says the Lord.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 18:21-35
To be forgiven, you must forgive

    Peter went up to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.

    ‘And so the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; but he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. At this, the servant threw himself down at his master’s feet. “Give me time” he said “and I will pay the whole sum.” And the servant’s master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt. Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him. “Pay what you owe me” he said. His fellow servant fell at his feet and implored him, saying, “Give me time and I will pay you.” But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt. His fellow servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. Then the master sent for him. “You wicked servant,” he said “I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow servant just as I had pity on you?” And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt. And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 17th September 2023

SIR 27:30-28:7; PS 103:1-4, 9-12; ROM 14:7-9; MT 18:21-35

As Christian stewards, we recognize that all we have and all that we are is gift from God, and we live our lives in a grateful response to such extravagant love. This calls for continuous conversion of heart. The practices of giving a portion of our time, our talents and our treasure are essential steps on the path to conversion. But they serve an even deeper purpose than helping us remember our good intentions. They open our minds and hearts to ever-deepening surrender to the Lord, Who has given us every good thing. 
 
Today’s readings call us to look inward to the state of our hearts, those aspects of ourselves that cannot quite be quantified or measured, but which are the deepest part of us — our thoughts and emotions. 
 
Our first reading, from Sirach, addresses the complicated emotion of anger. “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight... Could anyone nourish anger against another and expect healing from the Lord?... If one who is but flesh cherishes wrath, who will forgive his sins?” We have all been wounded by others at some point, some perhaps quite deeply. Our emotions are gifts from God. But we must steward them well, rather than allowing them to overcome us. 
 
How do we do this? Sirach tells us. “Remember your last days, set enmity aside... Think of the commandments… remember the Most High’s covenant, and overlook faults.” We embrace the stewardship mindset — not brooding over hurts, but recalling all the gifts our good God has given us, all the love He continually pours out upon us, and we put our focus and trust in Him.
 
In other words, we live for God and not ourselves. What freedom this approach to life brings! All we have is a gift from the Lord. He loves us completely and we can rest in this truth. Knowing this, we need not cling to anger over injustices. God is Lord over all. St. Paul puts it this way in our second reading from Romans: “For if we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.”
 
In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus gives us a provocative reminder of the true position we have before Him in light of all that He has done for us. He compares the kingdom of heaven to a “king who decided to settle accounts with his servants.” In the parable, a debtor is brought before the king, owing such an overwhelming debt that it could not possibly be repaid. Yet, the king is filled with compassion for the servant, forgives the debt and lets him go free.
 
Doesn’t that sound like each of us in relation to the King of Kings? The Father has given us life, and then sent His only Son to die for us to free us from our sin “debts” and make eternal life with Him possible for us. Like the servant in the parable, it is impossible to repay this debt. All we can do is thank God by giving Him our whole selves —  our outward actions and our inner selves — and by treating our fellow debtors with the same compassion and forgiveness He has shown to us. In fact, Jesus rightfully and justly commands us to “forgive your brother from your heart.”
 
What joy and freedom of heart we find in the stewardship way of life!

Mass Reading: Sunday - 10th September 2023

First reading
Ezekiel 33:7-9

If you do not speak to the wicked man, I will hold you responsible for his death

    The word of the Lord was addressed to me as follows: ‘Son of man, I have appointed you as sentry to the House of Israel. When you hear a word from my mouth, warn them in my name. If I say to a wicked man: Wicked wretch, you are to die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked man to renounce his ways, then he shall die for his sin, but I will hold you responsible for his death. If, however, you do warn a wicked man to renounce his ways and repent, and he does not repent, then he shall die for his sin, but you yourself will have saved your life.’

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 94(95):1-2,6-9

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come, ring out our joy to the Lord;
    hail the rock who saves us.
Let us come before him, giving thanks,
    with songs let us hail the Lord.

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

Come in; let us bow and bend low;
    let us kneel before the God who made us:
for he is our God and we
    the people who belong to his pasture,
    the flock that is led by his hand.

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

O that today you would listen to his voice!
    ‘Harden not your hearts as at Meribah,
    as on that day at Massah in the desert
when your fathers put me to the test;
    when they tried me, though they saw my work.’

O that today you would listen to his voice! ‘Harden not your hearts.’

________

Second reading
Romans 13:8-10
Your only debt should be the debt of mutual love

    Avoid getting into debt, except the debt of mutual love. If you love your fellow men you have carried out your obligations. All the commandments: You shall not commit adultery, you shall not kill, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and so on, are summed up in this single command: You must love your neighbour as yourself. Love is the one thing that cannot hurt your neighbour; that is why it is the answer to every one of the commandments.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
Jn17:17

Alleluia, alleluia!

Your word is truth, O Lord:
consecrate us in the truth.

Alleluia!

Or:
2Co5:19

Alleluia, alleluia!

God in Christ was reconciling the world to himself,
and he has entrusted to us the news that they are reconciled.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 18:15-20
If your brother listens to you, you have won back your brother

    Jesus said to his disciples: ‘If your brother does something wrong, go and have it out with him alone, between your two selves. If he listens to you, you have won back your brother. If he does not listen, take one or two others along with you: the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain any charge. But if he refuses to listen to these, report it to the community; and if he refuses to listen to the community, treat him like a pagan or a tax collector.

    ‘I tell you solemnly, whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.

    ‘I tell you solemnly once again, if two of you on earth agree to ask anything at all, it will be granted to you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three meet in my name, I shall be there with them.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 10th September 2023

 EZ 33:7-9; PS 95:1-2, 6-9; ROM 13:8-10; MT 18:15-20

Today’s readings are all about relationships. Among the many lessons we have learned as a result of the global pandemic is the deep importance of the relationships and communities in our lives. Our families, our neighbors, our friends and our parish family need us and we need them — not just for survival, but to be our best selves, and to help each other on the path to heaven. 
 
Our readings today show us how we can be good stewards of these vital relationships, beginning with the first reading from the prophet Ezekiel. God says to Ezekiel, “You… I have appointed watchman for the house of Israel; when you hear me say anything, you shall warn them for me.” Because of our Baptism, we are all “watchmen” for one another. We have been given the gift of our Catholic faith and we have a responsibility to lovingly and generously share that gift. As Christian stewards, we must take this call to heart every day of the week and in every setting in which we find ourselves.
 
This can seem overwhelming at first. Are we called to keep a sermon in our back pocket at all times? Not exactly. 
 
St. Paul gives us simple instruction in our second reading from Romans to guide us in our dealings with others. He reminds us what Christ Himself taught: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love is the overarching principle that guides us to be good stewards of our relationships and communities. 
 
True love means seeking the good of the other. Sometimes, love requires us to speak up when it would be easier to remain silent — other times, love calls us to keep our mouths shut when we would prefer to “put someone in their place.” 
 
In our Gospel passage from Matthew, Jesus further refines this instruction on good stewardship of our relationships, even when they involve conflict. He says, “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.” 
 
What timely advice for the modern-day steward. In this age of social media, it is tempting and all too easy to take to Twitter or Facebook to vent our frustrations about someone who has offended us. This is not love. But neither is allowing a brother (or sister) to sin against us without speaking up. Jesus teaches us to confront the offending person directly and discretely — with the goal of restoring the relationship if possible. This is how we steward our relationships even through rocky waters.
 
Later in this passage, Jesus speaks to us of the power and beauty of community life. “If two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 
 
Christian stewards, God has designed us in such a way that we must help each other on the journey towards heaven. Let us take care to steward our relationships well.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 03rd September 2023

First reading
Jeremiah 20:7-9
The word of the Lord has meant insult for me

You have seduced me, Lord, and I have let myself be seduced;
you have overpowered me: you were the stronger.
I am a daily laughing-stock,
everybody’s butt.
Each time I speak the word, I have to howl
and proclaim: ‘Violence and ruin!’
The word of the Lord has meant for me
insult, derision, all day long.
I used to say, ‘I will not think about him,
I will not speak in his name any more.’
Then there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart,
imprisoned in my bones.
The effort to restrain it wearied me,
I could not bear it.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 62(63):2-6,8-9

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

O God, you are my God, for you I long;
    for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
    like a dry, weary land without water.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

So I gaze on you in the sanctuary
    to see your strength and your glory.
For your love is better than life,
    my lips will speak your praise.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

So I will bless you all my life,
    in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
    my mouth shall praise you with joy.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

For you have been my help;
    in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
    your right hand holds me fast.

For you my soul is thirsting, O Lord my God.

________

Second reading
Romans 12:1-2
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice

    Think of God’s mercy, my brothers, and worship him, I beg you, in a way that is worthy of thinking beings, by offering your living bodies as a holy sacrifice, truly pleasing to God. Do not model yourselves on the behaviour of the world around you, but let your behaviour change, modelled by your new mind. This is the only way to discover the will of God and know what is good, what it is that God wants, what is the perfect thing to do.

The word of the Lord.

_________

Gospel Acclamation
cf.Ep1:17,18

Alleluia, alleluia!

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our mind,
so that we can see what hope his call holds for us.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 16:21-27
'Get behind me, Satan!' 

    Jesus began to make it clear to his disciples that he was destined to go to Jerusalem and suffer grievously at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, to be put to death and to be raised up on the third day. Then, taking him aside, Peter started to remonstrate with him. ‘Heaven preserve you, Lord;’ he said ‘this must not happen to you.’ But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle in my path, because the way you think is not God’s way but man’s.’

    Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross and follow me. For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake will find it. What, then, will a man gain if he wins the whole world and ruins his life? Or what has a man to offer in exchange for his life?

    ‘For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and, when he does, he will reward each one according to his behaviour.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 03rd September 2023

 JER 20:7-9; PS 63:2-6, 8-9; ROM 12:1-2; MT 16:21-27

If we are striving to live the stewardship way of life, we must be honest with ourselves and admit it’s not going to be easy. Dying to self and living for Christ and others is tough. It’s the work of a lifetime. But in the end, it’s the only work that really matters and the only life that truly satisfies. Our readings today reflect this challenging reality.
 
Our first reading is from the book of the prophet Jeremiah. After a series of hard knocks as he tries to preach the message God has entrusted to him, Jeremiah sums up the steward’s “dilemma” — the choice between living for self or living for God — this way: “I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more. But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart… I grow weary holding it in.” 
 
Haven’t we all felt that way, perhaps after frustrations in our ministry or being chided by friends for our “crazy Catholic beliefs”? But God is so good, so loving, so generous to us that, like Jeremiah, even when we’re tempted to throw in the towel, we simply cannot turn our back on Him. We hold steady on the stewardship way of life. 
 
The second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans teaches how we get back to the path of discipleship in those moments of discouragement when we feel the temptation to just give up and give in to selfishness. Paul urges us, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” He says, “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you may do the will of God.” 
 
What does this mean for us modern-day stewards? It means we must discipline ourselves — body, mind, and spirit — through a consistent prayer life, continuous formation in our Catholic faith, and setting aside anything in our life (entertainment, material possessions, social activities) that is not pleasing to God. Seems impossible, doesn’t it? And it would be impossible, except for the grace of God which is always available to us in abundance if we simply ask God for it.
 
Our Gospel passage, from Matthew, continues this theme of the tough demands of the steward’s way of life, this time in the words of Jesus Himself. Jesus tells His disciples, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” This sounds harsh. Why would anyone want to do this? Our Lord has the answer, of course. “Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
 
It’s all about love. Jesus loved (and loves) us totally, giving us all of Himself on the Cross, in His Word, and in the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. 
 
And so we must choose: love of self, or love of God and others — which is tough, but fulfilling and leads to the eternal reward of heaven. Jesus promises that He “will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
 
Let us make the tough choice to lose our life for Christ’s sake, in grateful response to His love. Honestly, what better life could there be?