The 3rd of September, 2023 is the Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time. The Bible scriptures for the holy mass readings for this day came from the 2023 Liturgical Calendar.
Reading 1: JER 20:7-9
The first reading from the Book of Jeremiah.
Yahweh, you have persuaded me, and I was persuaded. You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I have become a laughingstock all day. Everyone mocks me.
For as often as I speak, I cry out; I cry, “Violence and destruction!” because Yahweh’s word has been made a reproach to me, and a derision, all day.
If I say that I will not make mention of him, or speak any more in his name, then there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones. I am weary with holding it in. I can’t.
Responsorial Psalm: PS 63:1, 2-3, 4-5, 7-8
Response: God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you.
God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.
R: God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you.
So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory.
Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.
R: God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you.
So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips.
R: God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you.
For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.
My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.
R: God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you.
Reading 2: ROM 12:1-2
The second reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans.
Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.
Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Gospel of the Day: MT 16:21-27
From the gospel verse according to Matthew.
From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will find it.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds.”
