12th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Zachariah 12:10-11
Thus says the LORD: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition; and they shall look on him whom they have thrust through, and they shall mourn for him as one mourns for an only son, and they shall grieve over him as one grieves over a first-born. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem shall be as great as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the plain of Megiddo.
Second Reading: Galatians 3:26-29
Brothers and sisters, through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendant, heirs according to the promise.
Gospel Reading: Luke 9:18-24
Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?" They said in reply, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, 'One of the ancient prophets has arisen.'" Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said in reply, "The Messiah of God." He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised." Then he said to all, "If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Life is a gift from God and life is given to live it and live it to the full. Everyone lives it as he believes or as he wishes. Some live it without God or any reference to God. There are others who live it as prophets or forerunners. These live their lives for God and they announce God to others and point out his coming into the world.
Only one lived his life as a Messiah. He lived it for God and for others. He lived so that others may be redeemed from the evil one. This life of a Messiah can also be lived by humans provided they deny themselves and carry the cross daily. Every disciple is called to live like Jesus that is to live his life for God and deny himself for the sake of the other.
Only one lived his life as a Messiah. He lived it for God and for others. He lived so that others may be redeemed from the evil one. This life of a Messiah can also be lived by humans provided they deny themselves and carry the cross daily. Every disciple is called to live like Jesus that is to live his life for God and deny himself for the sake of the other.
