Bishop’s chair in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome
Invitation
May I hereby call your attention to
the daily reading of the Gospel?
This invitation wants to share with you the joy of the Gospel.
Everyone, no one excepted,
can experience that joy by opening his heart
to the healing effect of God’s word.
Available every day.
Consideration
In most religions, one chooses one’s own teacher. With Jesus it is the other way around. He takes as co-workers whomever He wants: among the many disciples who respond to His proclamation, He asks some of them to leave their ordinary occupations, follow Him unconditionally, and pass on the Good News when He will have died. Within that group, the twelve are commissioned with a special mission, and Peter is instructed to confirm his brothers in the faith. The place of Peter and his successors in the Church is that of the servant, who, like Jesus, wants to be the least of all. That ministry involves a special bond with Christ. It must be so strong that the one sent becomes a true witness. Only in this way can what Jesus said to his disciples become true: “He who listens to you listens to me.
FIRST READING I Peter 5, 1-4
Elder and witness to the sufferings of Christ.
From the first letter of the holy apostle Peter
Dearly beloved,
The elders among you I exhort,
– elder as they are and witness to the sufferings of Christ,
also partaker of the glory
which shall be revealed –
pasture the flock of God of which you are the shepherds ;
tend it as God wills,
with the heart and not by compulsion,
with diligence and not for profit.
Do not play master over those entrusted to your care ,
but set an example for the flock.
Then, when the chief shepherd appears,
receive the never fading garland of glory.
INTERLUDIUM Ps. 23(22), 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd, nothing do I lack.
The Lord is my shepherd, nothing do I lack ;
He makes me to graze in green fields.
He brings me to water where I can rest,
He gives me fresh courage.
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for His Name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil where thou art leading me.
Thy rod and thy shepherd’s staff
give me courage and confidence.
Thou dost invite me to thy table
to the annoyance of my adversaries.
With oil Thou anointest my head,
my cup is overflowing.
Prosperity and blessing never leave me
every day of my life.
The house of the Lord shall be my dwelling
for all times to come.
VERSE FOR THE GOSPEL Mt. 16, 13-19
Alleluia
Thou art Peter ;
and upon this rock I will build my Church
And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Alleluia
GOSPEL Mt 16, 13-19
Thou art Peter, and I will give thee the keys
of the kingdom of heaven.
From the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
At that time,
when Jesus had come to the region of Caesarea from Philip,
He asked His disciples this question :
“Who is
according to the opinion of men,
the Son of Man?”
They answered :
“Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah,
others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But you – spoke He to them –
who say ye that I am?”
Simon Peter answered :
“Thou art the Christ ,
the Son of the living God.”
Jesus resumed :
“Blessed art thou Simon, son of Jonah ,
for it is not flesh and blood that have revealed this to you.
but my Father who is in heaven.
“In turn I say to you :
Thou art Peter ;
and upon this rock I will build my church
and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
“I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven
and whatever you shall bind on earth
shall also be bound in heaven.
and whatever ye shall loose on earth
shall also be dissolved in heaven.”
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Laudato Si
Encyclic of
POPE FRANCIS
On the care of the common home
205. Yet all is not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social conditioning. We can take an honest look at ourselves, acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on new paths to authentic freedom. No system can completely suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful, or our God-given ability to respond to his grace at work deep in our hearts. I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to forget this dignity which is ours. No one has the right to take it from us.
To be continued
The Bible text in this issue is taken from The New Bible Translation,
©Dutch Bible Society 2004/2007.
Considerations from Liturgical Suggestions for Weekdays and Sundays
Laudato Si Official English translation