Daily Readings - Sun Sep 03 2017
Second Reading - Romans 12.1-2
Romans
1And so, I beg you, brothers, by the mercy of God, that you offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, with the subservience of your mind2And do not choose to be conformed to this age, but instead choose to be reformed in the newness of your mind, so that you may demonstrate what is the will of God: what is good, and what is well-pleasing, and what is perfect
Gospel - Matthew 16.21-27
Matthew
21From that time, Jesus began to reveal to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and to suffer much from the elders and the scribes and the leaders of the priests, and to be killed, and to rise again on the third day22And Peter, taking him aside, began to rebuke him, saying, "Lord, may it be far from you; this shall not happen to you.23And turning away, Jesus said to Peter: "Get behind me, Satan; you are an obstacle to me. For you are not behaving according to what is of God, but according to what is of men.24Then Jesus said to his disciples: "If anyone is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me25For whoever would save his life, will lose it. But whoever will have lost his life for my sake, shall find it26For how does it benefit a man, if he gains the whole world, yet truly suffers damage to his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul27For the Son of man will arrive in the glory of his Father, with his Angels. And then he will repay each one according to his works
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the call to live a life of sacrifice, renewal, and discipleship. The second reading from Romans urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. This is not merely a call to outward acts of piety but a deeper invitation to let go of worldly ways of thinking and embrace God’s will. The Gospel, from Matthew, presents a dramatic moment in Jesus’ ministry. He reveals to his disciples the necessity of his suffering, death, and resurrection, only to be rebuked by Peter, who cannot accept such a path. Jesus responds by emphasizing that true discipleship requires self-denial and taking up one’s cross. He teaches that saving one’s life in this world leads to loss, while losing one’s life for his sake leads to eternal gain.
The readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the necessity of surrender and transformation. In Romans, St. Paul calls us to surrender our lives to God’s will, while in Matthew, Jesus calls us to follow him even when the path is difficult. Peter’s reaction reminds us that following Christ can challenge our natural instincts and desires. Jesus’ response, “Get behind me, Satan,” reveals that resistance to God’s plan is not just human weakness but a spiritual obstacle. The cross, in this context, is not just a physical burden but a symbol of self-denial and trust in God’s plan, even when it leads to suffering.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to examine where we may be resisting God’s will or clinging to our own desires. Are there areas where we are being called to let go, to surrender, or to trust more deeply in God’s plan? Jesus’ words remind us that true fulfillment and joy come not from avoiding challenges but from embracing them with faith. Let us ask ourselves: Am I willing to take up my cross, to deny myself, and to follow Christ, even when the path is difficult? May we, like St. Paul, offer our lives as living sacrifices, and may we, like the disciples, follow Jesus with courage and trust, knowing that true life is found in losing ourselves for his sake.