Daily Readings - Sun Sep 03 2017
Second Reading - Romans 12.1-2
Romans
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Gospel - Matthew 16.21-27
Matthew
21From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man 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.