Word Wide Open: The Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (A) - 9/3/23

First Reading (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah.

You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped;

you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.

All the day I am an object of laughter;

everyone mocks me.

Whenever I speak, I must cry out,

violence and outrage is my message;

the word of the LORD has brought me

derision and reproach all the day.

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,

imprisoned in my bones;

I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How does the Lord comfort those who suffer persecution and rejection? 

Second Reading (Romans 12:1-2)

A reading from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans. 

I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,

to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,

holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. 

Do not conform yourselves to this age

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,

that you may discern what is the will of God,

what is good and pleasing and perfect.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions:  Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? How can you offer your body as a living sacrifice?

Gospel (Matthew 16:21-27)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

Jesus began to show his disciples

that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly

from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,

and be killed and on the third day be raised. 

Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,

"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." 

He turned and said to Peter,

"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. 

You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Then Jesus said to his disciples,

"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 will find it.

What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world

and forfeit his life? 

Or what can one give in exchange for his life? 

For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,

and then he will repay all according to his conduct."

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Do you have any questions about this reading? Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? What is Jesus so critical of what Peter said? Why is self-denial and discipline so important to your faith life?