18th Week in Ordinary Time
11th August 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 2
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:32-40
Moses spoke to the people, saying “Ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that God created man on the earth, and ask from one end of heaven to the other, whether such a great thing as this has ever happened or was ever heard of. Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live? Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes? To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides him. Out of heaven he let you hear his voice, that he might discipline you. And on earth he let you see his great fire, and you heard his words out of the midst of the fire. And because he loved your fathers and chose their offspring after them and brought you out of Egypt with his own presence, by his great power, driving out before you nations greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is this day, know therefore today, and lay it to your heart, that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”
Psalm 77:12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21 (R. 12a)
R/. . I remember the deeds of the Lord.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Matthew 16:24-28
At the time: Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Losing is worth it!
Guidlines: We can never truly follow Jesus without the cross and loss, and we will only miss the whole point if we try to shun the cross in life{alertSuccess}
1. It really looks ridiculous that many try to profess their loyalty to the crucified Saviour without really understanding and following his way. Can one follow the Crucified with no connection at all to his cross? Can one be a disciple without following the teachings of his Guru?
2. Can one be a good servant without serving his master? Can one be a true companion without accompanying his partner? Can one be a genuine lover without loving his beloved even to the extent of death for the loved one?
3. Often many are confused and misguided in following Jesus. It is not because of a lack of clarity on the part of Jesus. No, Jesus is crystal clear in his demands and promises. He never makes false promises, nor is he satisfied with half-measures and compromises.
4. One can never be an authentic disciple of Jesus if he is not detached from his ego and self-interests if he is not ready to bear the cross of suffering and unfavourable situations if he is not wise to give priority to spiritual concerns and is not carried away by the worldly concerns and gains.
5. If one is not true to his call to follow and resemble Jesus, it is only because he is still too attached to the world and there can be no other reason. “Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me” – this summon of Jesus is ever vibrating and compelling!
Practice: It is stupidity to claim to be so intelligent and competent, while one fails to discern and follow what is a priority in life, and that is, follow Jesus, the model of real values of a good life, applicable to anyone{alertSuccess}