Mass Readings

First Reading – Jer 20:7-9

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.

Responsorial Psalm – 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9 (R.2b)

R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water. R.

Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you. R.

Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you. R.

You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me. R.

Second Reading – Rom 12:1-2

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.

Gospel – Mt 16:21-27

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.”

Featured Saints

This year, Sunday takes precedence over the Memorial of St. Gregory the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church (†604 Rome). Born in Rome around the year 540. He was elevated to the Chair of Peter in 590, during a time of tribulation due to the Lombard invasions. Pope Gregory I wrote numerous moral and theological works, and promoted missions, notably the evangelization of the British Isles, and is attributed with contributing decisively to the liturgical chant of the Church which bears his name.

St. Marinus, deacon (†fourth century). He preached in the region of Rimini and withdrew to Mount Titan, where he founded a village that would give rise to the Republic of San Marino.

St. Remaclus, bishop and abbot (†c. 671- 679). While still young, he was elected abbot of Solignac, France. He founded the monasteries of Stavelot and Malmedy.

St. John Pak Hu-jae and companions, martyrs (†1839). Condemned by Korean tribunals for their ardent confession of the Catholic Faith. After prolonged torture, they were beheaded in Seoul.

Blessed Bartholomew Gutierrez, priest, and five companions, martyrs (†1632). For their Christian Faith, they were tortured and burned alive in Nagasaki (Japan).

Blessed Guala of Brescia, bishop (†1244). Dominican friar appointed Bishop of Brescia, he fought for peace at the time of Emperor Frederick II. He withdrew to the monastery of Astino, Italy, where he remained until the end of his life.

Blessed Bridget of Jesus Morello, religious (†1679). After becoming a widow, she dedicated herself to penance and works of charity. She founded the Congregation of the Ursuline Sisters of Mary Immaculate, for the education of girls.

Image gallery

St. Gregory the Great

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