Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gospel Commentary, by Msgr. João Scognamligio Clá Dias, EP
Mass Readings
Featured Saints and Commemorations
The Most Holy Name of Mary. There are many significations associated with this blessed name, the most commonly held being that of “Star of the Sea”. This commemoration began in Spain, in 1513.
St. Albeus, bishop (†528). He founded the See of Emly, Ireland, and was the main evangelizer of the region. His example and apostolic zeal brought many to the Faith.
St. Guido, confessor (†1012). As sacristan of St. Mary Church in Brussels, he was a dedicated helper of the poor. He went on pilgrimage for seven years to Rome and the Holy Land, returning to his native land, where he died in Anderlecht (Belgium)
St. Francis Ch’oe Kyong-Hwan, catechist and martyr (†1839). He encouraged Catholics to face martyrdom with fortitude during the religious persecution in Korea, and was arrested in Seoul for refusing to renounce the Faith. In prison, He dedicated himself to catechesis until his death from exhaustion and torture.
Blessed Apollinaris Franco, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Franciscan and missionary in the Philippines and Japan; founded many houses of charity. He was burned alive in Japan during persecution.
Blessed Thomas Zumarraga, priest and martyr (†1622). Spanish Dominican missionary in Japan. He was imprisoned in Omura out of hatred for the faith, after three years of confinement, he was burned alive, together with the Franciscan Apollinaris Franco and four other companions.
Blessed Peter Sulpicius Christopher Faverge, martyr (†1794). Christian Brother and teacher who was imprisoned in a galley, along with hundreds of other victims of the French Revolution. He died there as a consequence of diseases contracted while caring for sick prisoners.
Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi, abbess (†1847). Benedictine nun from Trevi, Italy, to whom Our Lord granted extraordinary mystical gifts along with long and sorrowful trials, which she bore with heroic fortitude and patience.
Mass Readings
First Reading – Is 50:5-9a
The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear; and I have not rebelled, have not turned back. I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard; my face I did not shield from buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help, therefore I am not disgraced; I have set my face like flint, knowing that I shall not be put to shame. He is near who upholds my right; if anyone wishes to oppose me, let us appear together. Who disputes my right? Let that man confront me. See, the Lord GOD is my help; who will prove me wrong?
Responsorial Psalm Ps 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (R.9)
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called. R.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
“O LORD, save my life!” R.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me. R.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the LORD
in the land of the living. R.
Second Reading – Jas 2:14-18
What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, ”
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.
Indeed someone might say,
“You have faith and I have works.”
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.
Gospel – Mk 8:27-35
Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way He asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And He asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then He warned them not to tell anyone about Him.
He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke Him.
At this He turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”
He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“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
and that of the Gospel will save it.”
