24th Sunday of the Year (a)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (a)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 14th September: Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. (a)
This feast has its origin in Jerusalem, where from the fifth century the wood of the true cross used to be shown to the people the day after the feast of the dedication of the Basilica of the Resurrection. It was celebrated in Rome by the seventh century and stresses the victory and triumph of the cross of Christ.
Monday 15th September: Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Within the octave of the feast of the birth of Our Lady, we commemorate her sorrows, above all the sorrow of witnessing her son’s death and resurrection on the cross. This feast was first celebrated in the seventeenth century by the members of the Servite Order.
Tuesday 16th September: Feast of St. Ninian.
He was born around 360 in Cumbria and was ordained Bishop in Rome in 394. He came to Scotland and made Whithorn in Galloway his base as he preached the gospel in southeast Scotland. He died in 432.
Wednesday 17th September: Wednesday of the 24th week of the year.
Today we have one of the greatest and most familiar passages from St. Paul’s writings. It is his great hymn to love. He reminds us to be ‘ambitious for the higher gifts.’
Despite having worked two miracles in their presence, many of his listeners still do not believe. Jesus criticises them for their lack of faith and understanding. No matter what good a person does, people still find fault, still find reasons to criticise.
Thursday 18th September: Thursday of 24th week of the year.
Today we read the last part of St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians where he speaks about the resurrection of the dead. This is possible because Christ died for our sins, was buried and rose again and we are invited to share in that resurrection.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues to attack those who are quick to judge others especially in making moral judgements. He reminds us that God’s mercy is for all and we need to learn to trust in that mercy and put it in to practice in our own lives.
Friday 19th September: Friday of the 24th week of the year.
In today’s section Paul responds to some who are questioning what he had taught about the resurrection of the dead. He stresses that Jesus did rise from the dead and that, as a result, he can testify and preach.
Jesus continues his journey through the towns and villages preaching and proclaiming the good news. Luke makes mention of the fact that as well as the apostles there were a number of women in the group, including Mary of Magdala.
Saturday 20th September: Memorial of St. Andrew Kim Tae-Gon and Companions.
The Gospel was brought to Korea as early as the beginning of the seventeenth century by a group of committed lay people. At first, they were without priests but eventually French missionaries arrived. 103 members of this Christian community were among the martyrs as well as three bishops and seven priests. The persecution took place between 1839 and 1867. Andrew Kim was the first priest to be martyred and Paul Chong the first lay apostle. Pope John Paul II canonised the group when he went to Korea in 1984.
