25th Sunday of the Year (c)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 18th September: 25th Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the Prophet Amos. In modern language he would be described not just as a prophet but as a great champion of social justice. He constantly spoke out against the oppression of the poor, as well as any system which denied them any hope of obtaining justice. In today’s passage, he condemns the break down between true worship and the proper treatment of people especially by dishonest practices of those who should know better. They are threatened with divine judgement.
The second reading is from the first Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. Paul is reminding Timothy that we should pray for everyone but especially those who hold public office
The Gospel from St. Luke is a parable in which Jesus presents us with the example of a shrewd man of the world. We should follow his commitment but not his principles.
Monday 19th September: Monday of 25th week of the year.
We turn to the Old Testament for the next series of readings. The first reading is from the Book of Proverbs. Some of these were from the sayings of Solomon – the wise son of David. We are reminded never to refuse kindness, never to plot harm and never to pick a quarrel. The virtuous will receive many blessings.
Jesus continues his parables. We are reminded we are called to witness to the world the faith we have received and not to keep it to ourselves.
Tuesday 20th September: Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Tae-Gon and Paul Chong Ha-Sang and companions.
The Gospel was brought to Korea as early as the beginning of the seventeenth century by a group of committed lay people. At first, they were without priests but eventually French missionaries arrived. 103 members of this Christian community were among the martyrs as well as three bishops and seven priests. The persecution took place between 1839 and 1867. Andrew Kim was the first priest to be martyred and Paul Chong the first lay apostle. Pope John Paul II canonised the group when he went to Korea in 1984.
Wednesday 21st September: Feast of St. Matthew.
Matthew was a tax collector, one of the most despised jobs in Israel. The Gospel today tells us of his call to follow Christ. He acknowledged is sinfulness and repented. He is the author of the first of the Gospels that was written in Aramaic. Later accounts state that Matthew evangelised Persia and probably Ethiopia. He was martyred there and his remains were eventually transferred to Salerno in the tenth century.
Thursday 22nd September: Thursday of 25th week of the year.
Today the first reading comes from the Book of Wisdom or Ecclesiastes. It is a reminder of the uselessness of human things. They will deceive anyone who puts their trust in them.
Jesus’ teaching is causing growing concern and anger amongst the authorities. The plotting against him begins to grow.
Friday 23rd September: Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina. (Padre Pio)
Fransesco Forgione, the future Padre Pio, was born on 25th May 1887 in Pietrelcina, Southern Italy. At the age of fifteen, he entered the Capuchin novitiate at Morcone and was ordained at the age of 23. Due to his frail health, he lived outwith the monastic community, always wearing the distinctive habit. He was sent to San Giovanni Rotondo for a short stay. In fact spent the rest of his life there. In September 1918, the signs of the stigmata appeared after he had celebrated Mass. These wounds bled continually for fifty years and caused him acute physical pain. Despite this, he made himself available to thousands of people who came to him seeking advice and confession. He died on 23rd September 1968 and was canonised by Pope John Paul on 16th June 2002.
Saturday 24th September: Saturday of 25th week of the year.
In today’s first reading we are reminded that time marches on. The day will come when we go to our heavenly home and so we should be making good use of the life we have.
Yesterday we heard the Apostles, through Peter, make their act of faith in Jesus. Now we hear how they find it difficult to accept that the Messiah is going to suffer and die before rising from the dead.
Lord,
Send us out into our world
To help bear one another’s crosses
And to share one another’s joys
So that we may not simply admire your Son
For having born his cross, suffered and died for us,
But follow him on the road that leads to life and glory
We ask this
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.