Mass Reading: Sunday - 30th August 2026

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 - 30th August 2026

 

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

Living the stewardship way of life is not easy. Dying to self and living for Christ and others requires sacrifice. It is the work of a lifetime. Yet it is also the only work that truly matters and the only life that ultimately satisfies. Today's readings remind us that faithful discipleship is demanding, but always worthwhile.

In our First Reading, the prophet Jeremiah expresses the struggle that every disciple experiences at times. After enduring rejection and hardship while proclaiming God's message, he is tempted to remain silent: "I will not mention him, I will speak in his name no more." Yet God's call burns within him "like fire burning in my heart... I grow weary holding it in."

Many of us have experienced similar moments. We may become discouraged in ministry, weary of doing the right thing, or hesitant to live our Catholic faith openly. Yet God's goodness and faithfulness continue to draw us back to Him. Like Jeremiah, we discover that we cannot turn away from the One who has given us everything.

St. Paul shows us how to persevere in today's Second Reading. He urges us to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God," and reminds us, "Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind."

For today's Christian steward, this means intentionally shaping our lives through prayer, the sacraments, ongoing formation in our Catholic faith, and the daily effort to set aside anything that draws us away from God. Left to ourselves, this would be impossible. But God's grace is always available to strengthen us whenever we ask for it.

In today's Gospel, Jesus continues this same theme of sacrificial discipleship. He tells His followers, "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me." Those words are challenging, but Jesus immediately explains why they are worth embracing: "Whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."

Everything comes down to love. Jesus loved us completely, giving Himself for us on the Cross. He continues to give Himself to us through His Word and, most especially, in the Eucharist.

Each day we are faced with a choice: to live for ourselves or to live for God and for others. The second path is more demanding, but it leads to lasting joy and the promise of eternal life. Christ assures us that He "will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

May we choose each day to lose our lives for Christ's sake, offering them back to Him in grateful response to His immeasurable love.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 23rd August 2026

First reading
Isaiah 22:19-23
I place the key of the House of David on my servant's shoulder

Thus says the Lord of Hosts to Shebna, the master of the palace:

I dismiss you from your office,
I remove you from your post,
and the same day I call on my servant
Eliakim son of Hilkiah.
I invest him with your robe,
gird him with your sash,
entrust him with your authority;
and he shall be a father
to the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and to the House of Judah.
I place the key of the House of David
on his shoulder;
should he open, no one shall close,
should he close, no one shall open.
I drive him like a peg
into a firm place;
he will become a throne of glory
for his father’s house.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 137(138):1-3,6,8

Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.

I thank you, Lord, with all my heart:
    you have heard the words of my mouth.
In the presence of the angels I will bless you.
    I will adore before your holy temple.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.

I thank you for your faithfulness and love,
    which excel all we ever knew of you.
On the day I called, you answered;
    you increased the strength of my soul.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.

The Lord is high yet he looks on the lowly
    and the haughty he knows from afar.
Your love, O Lord, is eternal,
    discard not the work of your hands.

Your love, O Lord, is eternal: discard not the work of your hands.

________

Second reading
Romans 11:33-36
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and from him.

    How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything? All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
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!

Or:
Mt16:18

Alleluia, alleluia!

You are Peter 
and on this rock I will build my Church.
And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 16:13-20
You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church

    When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say he is John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up, ‘You are the Christ,’ he said, ‘the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a happy man! Because it was not flesh and blood that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven.’ Then he gave the disciples strict orders not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 23rd August 2026

 

IS 22:19-23; PS 138:1-3, 6, 8; ROM 11:33-36; MT 16:13-20

Today's readings reveal beautiful truths about God while inviting us to examine the truth about ourselves.

In today's Second Reading, St. Paul marvels at the greatness of God: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How inscrutable are his judgments and how unsearchable his ways!" His words naturally lead us to praise the Lord. Paul concludes with a magnificent profession of faith: "For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

Those words deserve more than our admiration. They call us to respond. We give God glory not only through our prayers and praise but by offering Him our very lives. A life of grateful discipleship is our most fitting response to the God from whom all blessings come.

Today's Gospel from Matthew invites us to examine whether our lives truly give God the glory He deserves. It begins with a question Jesus asks His disciples. First He asks, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They offer several responses. Then Jesus makes the question personal: "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answers without hesitation: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus asks each of us that same question today. As Christian stewards and disciples, we would likely answer just as Peter did. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

But does the way we live reflect that profession of faith? If we truly believe Christ came to save us from our sins and lead us to heaven, then our lives should proclaim that truth as clearly as our words. Do my priorities and ambitions reflect that Christ is my Savior? Does my family life, the way I spend my money, my use of time, and my daily choices show that I am His disciple?

Every blessing God has entrusted to us is meant to be used for His glory. Our time, our talents, and our treasure are gifts to be offered back to Him in gratitude. The greatest praise we can offer the Lord is a life lived in grateful response to His unfathomable love. That is the beauty and power of the stewardship way of life.

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 16th August 2026

 

IS 56:1, 6-7; PS 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; ROM 11:13-15, 29-32; MT 15:21-28

Today's readings remind us that God is always faithful, even when we are not. They challenge us as Christian stewards to respond to His faithful love through grateful discipleship and to trust Him even when it seems our prayers go unanswered.

In our First Reading from Isaiah, we hear that God's invitation extends to all people. But accepting that invitation requires more than simply hearing His call. It requires living as His disciples. "Observe what is right, do what is just... All who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, them I will bring to my holy mountain... for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Our parish is not an exclusive club. It is the family of God, where people from every background are welcomed to worship, grow in faith, and serve the Lord together.

God knows we will not always live this calling perfectly. At times we will choose selfishness over generosity or comfort over discipleship. Yet He never withdraws His love from us.

St. Paul reminds us of this in today's Second Reading: "For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable." God remains patient and merciful even when we stumble. He can bring good even from our failures if we continue striving to follow Him. As Paul concludes, "For God delivered all to disobedience that he might have mercy upon all."

Because God is so faithful and merciful, His desire is to lead us to the joy of heaven and eternal life with Him. To prepare us for that day, He calls us to grow in faith and to live each day as a grateful response to His goodness. In other words, He is forming us into saints. This is what the stewardship way of life is meant to accomplish. At times that process is difficult. Often, it stretches us beyond our comfort.

Jesus certainly challenged the Canaanite woman in today's Gospel. She cried out to Him on behalf of her daughter, who was tormented by a demon. At first, Jesus "did not say a word in answer to her." Yet she refused to give up. Even when the disciples urged Jesus to send her away, she remained steadfast in her faith.

Jesus continued to test her trust, and she responded with such humility and confidence that He proclaimed, "O woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish." Imagine hearing those words spoken to us by our Lord. There could be no greater affirmation of a life lived in faithful discipleship.

The stewardship way of life will test our trust in God at times. But those are often the moments when He is doing His greatest work within us. Let us persevere in faith, trusting that His plan is always leading us toward the joy He has prepared for us — a gift He desires every one of His children to receive.

Mass Reading: Sunday - 16th August 2026

First reading
Isaiah 56:1,6-7
I will bring foreigners to my holy mountain

    Thus says the Lord: Have a care for justice, act with integrity, for soon my salvation will come and my integrity be manifest.

    Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love his name and be his servants – all who observe the sabbath, not profaning it, and cling to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain. I will make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their holocausts and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar, for my house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 66(67):2-3,5-6,8

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

O God, be gracious and bless us
    and let your face shed its light upon us.
So will your ways be known upon earth
    and all nations learn your saving help.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Let the nations be glad and exult
    for you rule the world with justice.
With fairness you rule the peoples,
    you guide the nations on earth.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

Let the peoples praise you, O God;
    let all the peoples praise you.
May God still give us his blessing
    till the ends of the earth revere him.

Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.

________

Second reading
Romans 11:13-15,29-32
With Israel, God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice

    Let me tell you pagans this: I have been sent to the pagans as their apostle, and I am proud of being sent, but the purpose of it is to make my own people envious of you, and in this way save some of them. Since their rejection meant the reconciliation of the world, do you know what their admission will mean? Nothing less than a resurrection from the dead! God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.

    Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.

The word of the Lord.

________

Gospel Acclamation
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!

Or:
cf.Mt4:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

Jesus proclaimed the Good News of the kingdom
and cured all kinds of sickness among the people.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 15:21-28
The Canaanite woman debates with Jesus and saves her daughter

    Jesus left Gennesaret and withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. Then out came a Canaanite woman from that district and started shouting, ‘Sir, Son of David, take pity on me. My daughter is tormented by a devil.’ But he answered her not a word. And his disciples went and pleaded with him. ‘Give her what she wants,’ they said ‘because she is shouting after us.’ He said in reply, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the House of Israel.’ But the woman had come up and was kneeling at his feet. ‘Lord,’ she said ‘help me.’ He replied, ‘It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the house-dogs.’ She retorted, ‘Ah yes, sir; but even house-dogs can eat the scraps that fall from their master’s table.’ Then Jesus answered her, ‘Woman, you have great faith. Let your wish be granted.’ And from that moment her daughter was well again.

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reading: Sunday - 09th August 2026

First reading
1 Kings 19:9,11-13
The Lord was not in the wind, or the earthquake, or the fire

    When Elijah reached Horeb, the mountain of God, he went into the cave and spent the night in it. Then he was told, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ Then the Lord himself went by. There came a mighty wind, so strong it tore the mountains and shattered the rocks before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind came an earthquake. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there came the sound of a gentle breeze. And when Elijah heard this, he covered his face with his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

The word of the Lord.

________

Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 84(85):9-14

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
    a voice that speaks of peace.
His help is near for those who fear him
    and his glory will dwell in our land.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

Mercy and faithfulness have met;
    justice and peace have embraced.
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
    and justice look down from heaven.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

The Lord will make us prosper
    and our earth shall yield its fruit.
Justice shall march before him
    and peace shall follow his steps.

Let us see, O Lord, your mercy, and give us your saving help.

________

Second reading
Romans 9:1-5
I would willingly be condemned if it could help my brothers

    What I want to say now is no pretence; I say it in union with Christ – it is the truth – my conscience in union with the Holy Spirit assures me of it too. What I want to say is this: my sorrow is so great, my mental anguish so endless, I would willingly be condemned and be cut off from Christ if it could help my brothers of Israel, my own flesh and blood. They were adopted as sons, they were given the glory and the covenants; the Law and the ritual were drawn up for them, and the promises were made to them. They are descended from the patriarchs and from their flesh and blood came Christ who is above all, God for ever blessed! Amen.

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.Ps129:5

Alleluia, alleluia!

My soul is waiting for the Lord,
I count on his word.

Alleluia!

________

Gospel
Matthew 14:22-33
Jesus walks on the water

    Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he would send the crowds away. After sending the crowds away he went up into the hills by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, while the boat, by now far out on the lake, was battling with a heavy sea, for there was a head-wind. In the fourth watch of the night he went towards them, walking on the lake, and when the disciples saw him walking on the lake they were terrified. ‘It is a ghost’ they said, and cried out in fear. But at once Jesus called out to them, saying, ‘Courage! It is I! Do not be afraid.’ It was Peter who answered. ‘Lord,’ he said ‘if it is you, tell me to come to you across the water.’ ‘Come’ said Jesus. Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking towards Jesus across the water, but as soon as he felt the force of the wind, he took fright and began to sink. ‘Lord! Save me!’ he cried. Jesus put out his hand at once and held him. ‘Man of little faith,’ he said ‘why did you doubt?’ And as they got into the boat the wind dropped. The men in the boat bowed down before him and said, ‘Truly, you are the Son of God.’

The Gospel of the Lord.

 

Mass Reflection: Sunday - 09th August 2026

 

1 KGS 19:9A, 11-13A; PS 85:9-14; ROM 9:1-5; MT 14:22-33

Stewardship spirituality invites us to surrender control of our lives to God in grateful recognition that everything we have is a gift from Him.

Today's readings remind us that God is always in control of His creation and His people. They also reveal what can happen when we fully entrust our lives to Him — in other words, when we embrace the stewardship way of life.

In our First Reading from the First Book of Kings, the prophet Elijah is instructed to go outside and wait for the Lord. A powerful wind tears through the mountains, followed by an earthquake and then a fire. Yet the Lord is found in none of these dramatic events. Instead, God reveals Himself in "a tiny whispering sound." How fitting for our wonderfully mysterious God, who often comes to us quietly and unexpectedly. Are we attentive enough to recognize His presence and receive the guidance and gifts He continually offers us?

It is all too easy to overlook His presence in our daily lives. Taking our family, friends, work, material blessings, and even God Himself for granted is a temptation we all face. St. Paul speaks of this in today's Second Reading. He grieves that many of his fellow Israelites, despite receiving so many gifts from God — the covenants, the law, the promises, and the patriarchs — failed to recognize the gift of Christ.

The same temptation exists today. We have been entrusted with the riches of Sacred Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the abundant grace of the sacraments, especially the gift of Christ Himself in the Eucharist. Our family, our parish, our work, and our many blessings are gifts as well. When we take our eyes off God, we lose sight of these gifts, our trust begins to weaken, and our lives no longer become a grateful response to His generosity.

Peter experiences this in today's Gospel from Matthew. Immediately after the multiplication of the loaves and fish, Jesus sends the disciples ahead of Him by boat. Later that evening, Jesus comes to them walking on the water. Peter responds, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." Jesus simply says, "Come." Peter steps out of the boat and begins walking toward the Lord.

But when he notices the strong wind instead of keeping his eyes on Christ, he becomes frightened and begins to sink.

Imagine if Peter had never looked away from Jesus. What an extraordinary adventure he would have experienced walking on the water with his Lord. The same is true for us. When we take our eyes off Christ, His countless blessings, and His faithful love for us, we begin to sink as well.

But when we embrace the stewardship way of life, loosening our grip on our time, talents, and treasure and placing our trust in God, life becomes a great adventure rooted firmly in the One who never fails us.