Wednesday's Mass readings
Reading 1
Phil 2:12-18
My beloved, obedient as you have always been,
not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent,
work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
For God is the one who, for his good purpose,
works in you both to desire and to work.
Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
But, even if I am poured out as a libation
upon the sacrificial service of your faith,
I rejoice and share my joy with all of you.
In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 27): The Lord is my light and my salvation.
Gospel
Lk 14:25-33
Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,
and he turned and addressed them,
“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother,
wife and children, brothers and sisters,
and even his own life,
he cannot be my disciple.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me
cannot be my disciple.
Which of you wishing to construct a tower
does not first sit down and calculate the cost
to see if there is enough for its completion?
Otherwise, after laying the foundation
and finding himself unable to finish the work
the onlookers should laugh at him and say,
‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’
Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down
and decide whether with ten thousand troops
he can successfully oppose another king
advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?
But if not, while he is still far away,
he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.
In the same way,
everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”
posted by Fr Greg @ 3:06 PM
20 comments
20 Comments:
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You and me both.
I have one question and that is "Why do bad things always happen to good people." I see that with my friends, people I work with and people on this blog. It just doesn't seem right.
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"maybe also challenged to be Simon to others whose crosses are a bit heavy."
I agree with that but it still is hard to see others suffer.
Incidentally, Kat I like to read books and meditations by Henri Nouen. Look his books up as they really are inspirational! Henri Nouen is a man who really had a lot of crosses to carry in his life.
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I absolutely loved today's readings and reading all of your comments! Thanks, FG, for posting them. Yes, we all have crosses to bear. Yet we are called to pick them up, walk and rely on God's grace. I am going through some difficult situations right now. Every day and most of the day, I just keep asking the Lord to give me the strength to do His will. After doing this for a few weeks, the Lord has renewed my strength and brought back some of my joy. I can only say by the grace of God, I go.
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"everyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions
cannot be my disciple.”
How do we do that? Does that mean totally relying on God and be simple in life?
How are you doing Kelly?
Kelly,
We all have bad times in our lives - some far worse than others. While I won't pretend to know or understand what you are dealing with, I will offer that I've had days where the rough times could have easily overwhelmed me, but for the Grace of God. Some days I didn't want to get out of bed for anything. And I mean anything. But, I was Blessed to have times where I could see through the fog enough to look at a crucifix and think of our Mother Mary. She was present for the joys and sorrows of her son. A son brutally crucified for doing what He was sent to do. Thinking of my troubles in relation to her experience at the foot of the cross sometimes helped me realize that I could at least get out of bed and face the day.
Our church is not just a building or an organization, but a community of faith, a family. (Guess that's why Fr. Greg wants us to use names). It helped me to remember that even when I felt I wouldn't be able to make it one more minute, God was always there for me; and others, those I knew and those I didn't, were praying to Him and to the Saints for their intercessions for me.
I pray for your strength and healing.
Joan
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Well said Kat! I feel the same way.
Kat are you a convert?
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Kat,
What did it feel like when you got baptized?
Am registered to get Henri Nouen's daily meditation e-mails. Wasn't aware that he passed away. Was he ill?
Hi, Joan, Thanks for your uplifting words.....I have a large wood crucifice which is on the wall in front of our bed. AS you said so well, meditating on Jesus and Mary' suffering will get me on me feet! Thanks, Sunshine, for asking how I am. I have been physically sick for over a month, but Praise God, I am feeling much better I have missed theis blog communtiy soooo much!
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When I recieved my Baptism, First Communion and Confirmation we had parties with family and friends. But we certainly did not stay up until 1 am partying! I think if I did that at my Baptism or First Communion I would have freaked my parents out! :)
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