THE GOSPEL
Matthew 16:21-27Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Swiftly
and reckless
we flee the cross
whenever it comes close.
Lord, you gave up everything on behalf of us whom you love.
Lord, be with us. Show us how to carry your cross.
Show us how to lose ourselves,
and find ourselves
in you, in
love.
THE FIRST READING
Jeremiah 20:7-9But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones.
Let us go beyond ourselves,
be defenders of the poor and helpless,
discover a house for the homeless;
care for this world-home,
and for immigrants.
Let us work
for
justice.
God, please,
set a fire ablaze in our hearts
and let no one
put it out.
THE SECOND READING
Romans 12:1-2Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice
Lord,
join our hearts with your heart.
Yoke our tired reasons with your perfect one.
Heal our world of every kind of wound,
and please use us in your
heavenly plan.
from Religious Clip Art for the Liturgical Year (A, B, and C). This art may be reproduced only by parishes who purchase the collection in book or CD-ROM form. For more information go http://www.ltp.org