NEXT WEEK AT MASS

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time- August 31, 2008

YOU ARE AN OBSTACLE IN MY WAY,

BECAUSE THESE THOUGHTS OF YOURS

DON'T COME FROM GOD, BUT FROM MAN

A good part of sacrifice on the part of Christians is the acceptance of the fact that evangelization often is ignored and our work for God is not taken seriously by many around us. Nonetheless, we must persevere in this labor of love.

1st Reading- from the Old Testament

                                       Jeremiah 20:7-9

Jeremiah's enthusiasm and conviction for the preaching of God's law begins to fade. His initial passion has turned into frustration and anger. He has given his whole life to proclaiming the message of God and it has fallen on deaf ears.

2nd Reading- from the New Testament letters

                                       Romans 12:1-2

Paul pleads that we give our whole lives over to God. We offer ourselves as "living sacrifices" since death is not required for a Christian to become a sacrifice.

Gospel- 

                                   Matthew 16:21-27

Just last week we heard Jesus proclaim Peter as the "Rock". Today he seems to be more of a "stumbling stone". Peter does not want to imagine that following Jesus means accepting suffering and death.