FIFTEENTSUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:21-26
Psalm 114

Most of us want to find ourselves and to discover a way of life that is rich and full. Contemporary spirituality assists us in exploring the wonders of everyday life, so that we may treasure all that is means to be human. What are we to do, then, with Jesus' words about losing our lives, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following? Is Jesus' message antithetical to what we know about being successful or happy?

On one level Jesus' words reveal His own choice and destiny. By walking the way of the cross He empties Himself and takes the form of a servant. He loses His own life so that all the world may find the mystery of God's suffering love. Yet in the resurrection God vindicates Jesus and crowns Him LORD of all creation.

To lose our lives for the sake of the gospel does not mean that we should deny our dreams, or use of our gifts and talents. It does not mean that we should have a martyr complex and let others take advantage of us. All through our lives we will face losses of various kinds. Rather than flee those experiences, our baptismal vocation gives us the courage to enter them fully, knowing that they will bestow on us surprising gifts. Most often we do not choose the losses that come our way, but we always choose how we will respond. Marked with the cross of Christ, we trust that good will come, that God will be present in ways we never could have imagined.

Christian friends,The LORD'S promise is clear, despite our expectations: "Those who lose their life for My sake will find it." As we continue on our journey as disciples of the living God, this promise remains with us along the way. Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

PRAY with me. LORD of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

    FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:21-26
Psalm 114

Most of us want to find ourselves and to discover a way of life that is rich and full. Contemporary spirituality assists us in exploring the wonders of everyday life, so that we may treasure all that is means to be human. What are we to do, then, with Jesus' words about losing our lives, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following? Is Jesus' message antithetical to what we know about being successful or happy?

On one level Jesus' words reveal His own choice and destiny. By walking the way of the cross He empties Himself and takes the form of a servant. He loses His own life so that all the world may find the mystery of God's suffering love. Yet in the resurrection God vindicates Jesus and crowns Him LORD of all creation.

To lose our lives for the sake of the gospel does not mean that we should deny our dreams, or use of our gifts and talents. It does not mean that we should have a martyr complex and let others take advantage of us. All through our lives we will face losses of various kinds. Rather than flee those experiences, our baptismal vocation gives us the courage to enter them fully, knowing that they will bestow on us surprising gifts. Most often we do not choose the losses that come our way, but we always choose how we will respond. Marked with the cross of Christ, we trust that good will come, that God will be present in ways we never could have imagined.

Christian friends,The LORD'S promise is clear, despite our expectations: "Those who lose their life for My sake will find it." As we continue on our journey as disciples of the living God, this promise remains with us along the way. Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

PRAY with me. LORD of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:21-26
Psalm 114

Most of us want to find ourselves and to discover a way of life that is rich and full. Contemporary spirituality assists us in exploring the wonders of everyday life, so that we may treasure all that is means to be human. What are we to do, then, with Jesus' words about losing our lives, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following? Is Jesus' message antithetical to what we know about being successful or happy?

On one level Jesus' words reveal His own choice and destiny. By walking the way of the cross He empties Himself and takes the form of a servant. He loses His own life so that all the world may find the mystery of God's suffering love. Yet in the resurrection God vindicates Jesus and crowns Him LORD of all creation.

To lose our lives for the sake of the gospel does not mean that we should deny our dreams, or use of our gifts and talents. It does not mean that we should have a martyr complex and let others take advantage of us. All through our lives we will face losses of various kinds. Rather than flee those experiences, our baptismal vocation gives us the courage to enter them fully, knowing that they will bestow on us surprising gifts. Most often we do not choose the losses that come our way, but we always choose how we will respond. Marked with the cross of Christ, we trust that good will come, that God will be present in ways we never could have imagined.

Christian friends,The LORD'S promise is clear, despite our expectations: "Those who lose their life for My sake will find it." As we continue on our journey as disciples of the living God, this promise remains with us along the way. Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

PRAY with me. LORD of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen

FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Jeremiah 15:15-21 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:21-26 Psalm 114       Most of us want to find ourselves and to discover a way of life that is rich and full. Contemporary spirituality assists us in exploring the wonders of everyday life, so that we may treasure all that is means to be human. What are we to do, then, with Jesus' words about losing our lives, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following? Is Jesus' message antithetical to what we know about being successful or happy?       On one level Jesus' words reveal His own choice and destiny. By walking the way of the cross He empties Himself and takes the form of a servant. He loses His own life so that all the world may find the mystery of God's suffering love. Yet in the resurrection God vindicates Jesus and crowns Him LORD of all creation.       To lose our lives for the sake of the gospel does not mean that we should deny our dreams, or use of our gifts and talents. It does not mean that we should have a martyr complex and let others take advantage of us. All through our lives we will face losses of various kinds. Rather than flee those experiences, our baptismal vocation gives us the courage to enter them fully, knowing that they will bestow on us  surprising gifts. Most often we do not choose the losses that come our way, but we always choose how we will respond. Marked with the cross of Christ, we trust that good will come, that God will be present in ways we never could have imagined.       Christian friends,The LORD'S promise is clear, despite our expectations: "Those who lose their life for My sake will find it." As we continue on our journey as disciples of the living God, this promise remains with us along the way.  Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love thee best of      FIFTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
This is the day the LORD hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Romans 12:1-8
Matthew 16:21-26
Psalm 114

Most of us want to find ourselves and to discover a way of life that is rich and full. Contemporary spirituality assists us in exploring the wonders of everyday life, so that we may treasure all that is means to be human. What are we to do, then, with Jesus' words about losing our lives, denying ourselves, and taking up our cross and following? Is Jesus' message antithetical to what we know about being successful or happy?

On one level Jesus' words reveal His own choice and destiny. By walking the way of the cross He empties Himself and takes the form of a servant. He loses His own life so that all the world may find the mystery of God's suffering love. Yet in the resurrection God vindicates Jesus and crowns Him LORD of all creation.

To lose our lives for the sake of the gospel does not mean that we should deny our dreams, or use of our gifts and talents. It does not mean that we should have a martyr complex and let others take advantage of us. All through our lives we will face losses of various kinds. Rather than flee those experiences, our baptismal vocation gives us the courage to enter them fully, knowing that they will bestow on us surprising gifts. Most often we do not choose the losses that come our way, but we always choose how we will respond. Marked with the cross of Christ, we trust that good will come, that God will be present in ways we never could have imagined.

Christian friends,The LORD'S promise is clear, despite our expectations: "Those who lose their life for My sake will find it." As we continue on our journey as disciples of the living God, this promise remains with us along the way. Jesus calls us; by Thy mercies, Savior, may we hear thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, serve and love thee best of all.

PRAY with me. LORD of all power and might, Author and Giver of all good things, graft in our hearts the love of Your name, increase in us true religion, nourish us with all goodness, and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our LORD, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen