Year 35 No.

11 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) — Green September 12, 2021

Catechist’s Day

Discipleship
A COSTLY

by Fr. Cesare Sposetti, SJ

“G et behind me, Satan!”

We remember very well
this rebuke, don’t we? It is almost
back to those beating him. He did
not shield his face from buffets and
spitting, setting his face like flint.
be accompanied by our “works,”
and particularly not only by taking
up our own crosses but helping
incredible how Peter, from being Following Christ is demanding. others (especially the poor and
the one who solemnly recognizes The discipleship has a “cost,” it is the needy) to carry theirs. This is
Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, on not a “cheap” grace, as German what it means to follow Jesus and
the way to Caesarea Philippi, ends Lutheran theologian Dietrich to recognize Him as the Messiah
up being rebuked as “Satan,” as Bonhoeffer used to say. To follow and the Savior.
somebody opposing the mission Christ means to tread the same Discipleship is not only on us:
of the Son of Man. But what path he has trodden, as today’s we are assured that we are not
looks crucial is the first part of Gospel reminds us: “Whoever alone in this pilgrimage. As the
this rebuke: “Get behind me!” wishes to come after me must First Reading reminds us, the Lord
which means, “Come back, follow deny himself, take up his cross, is near; the Lord is our help. He
me!” Today’s readings reveal to us and follow me.” We are called will never desert us in our personal
something profound concerning to see that Jesus can appear to us way of the cross. As today we also
Jesus and our desire to follow him. as the Christ, as the Savior, only if celebrate Catechist’s Sunday, let
He is the Christ indeed, and yet, we are able to look for him even us realize how important it is to
he is the Son of God in a deeply in our wounds, in our sins and help our brothers and sisters to
different way from what we usually shortcomings. In other words, in grow this ability to see God not
expect. our daily crosses which, with him, only in their joys and successes
In the First Reading, we see become the source of Life. but also in their deepest wounds
the title taken from one of Isaiah’s In the Letter of James (Second and failures. Only in this way
songs of the “Suffering Servant.” Reading), we are reminded shall we recognize Jesus as our
Jesus has been identified with this that our Faith that Jesus is the true Savior and celebrate our Life
mysterious character. He gave his Christ, the Savior, must always in him even in our daily crosses.

PASTORAL CATECHESIS FOR THE YEAR OF MISSIO AD GENTES

Mission: A Gift to be Nourished
heartfelt homage to the generations of missionaries who, from
Fr. James H. Kroeger, MM
the first beginnings, have built up this admirable Christian
After the welcome ceremonies, the first stop of Pope Paul community of the Philippines, of which you, the priests and
VI during his 1970 visit was the Manila Cathedral. He spoke the religious of this land, are the finest witness…. Nor is it easy
affectionate words: “From the bottom of our heart we offer you to appreciate fully the deep meaning of your lives, for they are
the greetings exchanged by the followers of the same Jesus not motivated by human interest, but illuminated by faith.”
Christ. It is in His Name that we have come among you. It “Take courage, dear sons and daughters. It is the Lord who
is to glorify and thank Him for the wonders accomplished has called you and who sends you out. It is his work that you
in this part of Asia.” are doing: ‘We are God’s fellow workers’ (cf. 2 Cor 6:1), you
“What a great joy it is for the Pope to see you all gathered can say with Saint Paul. Therefore, be faithful to Jesus Christ.
here in this sacred place of prayer. Our first wish is to render Nourish your gift of self at the inexhaustible fount of the Eucharist.”
 P—Lord, have mercy. there­fore I am not disgraced;
THE INTRODUCTORY RITES All—Lord, have mercy. I have set my face like flint,
Entrance Antiphon Gloria knowing that I shall not be
(Cf. Sir 36:18) put to shame. He is near who
(Recited when there is no opening song.) Glory to God in the highest, upholds my right; if anyone
Give peace, O Lord, to those and on earth peace to people wishes to oppose me, let us
who wait for you, that your of good will. We praise you, we appear together. Who disputes
prophets be found true. Hear bless you, we adore you, we my right? Let that man confront
the prayers of your servant, and glorify you, we give you thanks me. See, the Lord GOD is my
of your people Israel. for your great glory, Lord God, help; who will prove me wrong?
heavenly King, O God, almighty
Greeting Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only —The word of the Lord.
(The sign of the cross is made here.) All—Thanks be to God.
Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb
P—Grace to you and peace of God, Son of the Father, you
take away the sins of the world, Responsorial Psalm (Ps 116)
from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. have mercy on us; you take away R—I will walk before the Lord,
All—And with your spirit. the sins of the world, receive in the land of the living.
our prayer; you are seated at
Introduction the right hand of the Father, E. C. Marfori
(These [or similar words] may be used have mercy on us. For you alone Asus-A7 D Em

 
to address the assembly.)
are the Holy One, you alone       
P—Knowing Jesus personally is are the Lord, you alone are the  
I will walk be fore the Lord,
the call and challenge of every Most High, Jesus Christ, with
Christian believer. If we are to the Holy Spirit, in the glory of D Bm Em A

  
3
God the Father. Amen.

accept Jesus as our Lord, we
   
must accept his way of suffering Collect in the land of the
as our own way of life. We must
see Jesus not only in our glorious P — Let us pray. (Pause) Dsus D

4
Look upon us, O God,
moments but above all in our   
pain and suffering. Following Creator and ruler of all things,
li ving.
him involves commitment and and, that we may feel the
deter­mination. Only then can working of your mercy, grant
1. I love the LORD because
we truly prove ourselves to be that we may serve you with all
he has heard/ my voice in
his disciples. our heart.
supplication,/ because he has
Through our Lord Jesus
Penitential Act inclined his ear to me/ the day
Christ, your Son, who lives and
I called. (R)
P—Brethren (brothers and reigns with you in the unity of
sisters), let us acknowledge our the Holy Spirit, God, for ever 2. The cords of death encom­
sins, and so prepare ourselves to and ever. passed me;/ the snares of the
celebrate the sacred mysteries. All — Amen. netherworld seized upon me;/
(Pause) I fell into distress and sorrow,/
All—I confess to almighty God Liturgy

of the word and I called upon the name of
and to you, my brothers and the LORD,/ “O LORD, save my
sisters, that I have greatly sinned First Reading (Is 50:5–9a) (Sit) life!” (R)
in my thoughts and in my words, The prophet Isaiah presents to us
in what I have done and in what 3. Gracious is the LORD and
the Suffering Servant of God. In just;/ yes, our God is merciful./
I have failed to do, through my his obedience and suffering, this
fault, through my fault, through The LORD keeps the little ones;/
mysterious figure is the embodiment I was brought low, and he saved
my most grievous fault; therefore of the Lord Jesus.
I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, me. (R)
all the Angels and Saints, and A reading from the Book of 4. For he has freed my soul from
you, my brothers and sisters, to the Prophet Isaiah death,/ my eyes from tears, my
pray for me to the Lord our God. THE Lord God opens my ear feet from stumbling./ I shall
P—May almighty God have that I may hear; and I have walk before the LORD/ in the
mercy on us, forgive us our sins, not rebelled, have not turned land of the living. (R)
and bring us to everlasting life. back. I gave my back to those
All—Amen. who beat me, my cheeks to Second Reading (Jas 2:14-18)
P—Lord, have mercy. those who plucked my beard; James writes that living faith must
All—Lord, have mercy. my face I did not shield from be authenticated with good works. It
P—Christ, have mercy. buffets and spitting. is not enough to wish someone well;
All—Christ, have mercy. The Lord God is my help, we must attend to that person’s need.
A reading from the Letter of Peter and said, “Get behind Prayer of the Faithful
Saint James me, Satan. You are thinking
not as God does, but as human P—We now turn to our gracious
WHAT good is it, my brothers
beings do.” Father that he may deepen our
and sisters, if someone says
He summoned the crowd faith and strengthen our hope
he has faith but does not have
with his disciples and said as we acknowledge his Son,
works? Can that faith save him?
to them, “Whoever wishes Jesus, as our Messiah. With
If a brother or sister has nothing
to come after me must deny hearts full of confidence, we
to wear and has no food for
himself, take up his cross, and pray:
the day, and one of you says
to them, “Go in peace, keep follow me. For whoever wishes
to save his life will lose it, but R—Lord, listen to the prayers
warm, and eat well,” but you of your people.
do not give them the necessities whoever loses his life for my
of the body, what good is it? sake and that of the gospel
will save it.” C—For the Holy Father, the
So also faith of itself, if it does bishops, the clergy, and all who
not have works, is dead. —The Gospel of the Lord. exercise authority in the Church:
Indeed someone might say, All—Praise to you, Lord Jesus May they continue to be living
“You have faith and I have Christ. witnesses of Christ amidst all
works.” Demonstrate your faith Homily (Sit) hardships and pastoral concerns.
to me without works, and I will We pray: (R)
demonstrate my faith to you Profession of Faith (Stand)
from my works. C—For all government officials:
All—I believe in one God, the may they acknowledge Jesus
—The word of the Lord. Father almighty, maker of heaven
and earth, of all things visible as their model and inspiration
All —Thanks be to God. that they may render honest
and invisible.
Alleluia (Gal 6:14) (Stand) I believe in one Lord Jesus administration and safeguard
Christ, the Only Begotten Son of the dignity and rights of all.
All—Alleluia, alleluia. May I God, born of the Father before We pray: (R)
never boast except in the cross all ages. God from God, Light
of our Lord through which the C—For all catechists: may they
from Light, true God from
world has been crucified to me true God, begotten, not made, continue to dedicate their lives to
and I to the world. Alleluia, consubstantial with the Father; the mission of Christ as teachers
alleluia. through him all things were and witnesses. We lift to you
made. For us men and for our all their hopes and needs. We
Gospel (Mk 8:27–35) salvation he came down from pray: (R)
P—A reading from the holy heaven, (at the words that follow, up C—For the sick, the marginalized,
to and including and became man, all victims of violence and injustice,
Gospel according to Mark
bow) and by the Holy Spirit was and those persecuted because of
All—Glory to you, O Lord. incarnate of the Virgin Mary and
JESUS and his disciples set out became man. their faith: may they acknowledge
for the villages of Caesarea For our sake he was crucified Christ as their sure hope and
Philippi. Along the way he under Pontius Pilate, he suffered support as they go through
asked his disciples, “Who do death and was buried, and pressing times. We pray: (R)
people say that I am?” They rose again on the third day in C—For all the faithful de­parted:
said in reply, “John the Baptist, accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and may they enjoy peace and
others Elijah, still others one of is seated at the right hand of happiness in the presence of
the prophets.” And he asked the Father. He will come again the living God. We pray: (R)
them, “But who do you say in glory to judge the living and
that I am?” Peter said to him C—Let us pray for the urgent
the dead and his kingdom will concerns of our community
in reply, “You are the Christ.” have no end.
Then he warned them not to I believe in the Holy Spirit, and our personal intentions
the Lord, the giver of life, who (pause). We pray: (R)
tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that proceeds from the Father and P—Father, listen to the suppli-
the Son of Man must suffer the Son, who with the Father and cations of your faithful. Our
greatly and be rejected by the the Son is adored and glorified, needs are great and our troubles
elders, the chief priests, and the who has spoken through the so many, but your love for us
prophets.
scribes, and be killed, and rise I believe in one, holy, catholic, is far greater. Rescue us in our
after three days. He spoke this and apostolic Church. I confess distress as we acknowledge
openly. Then Peter took him one Baptism for the forgiveness Jesus, your Son who redeemed
aside and began to rebuke him. of sins and I look forward to the us, our true hope and lasting
At this he turned around and, resurrection of the dead and the strength both now and forever.
looking at his disciples, rebuked life of the world to come. Amen. All—Amen.
 Liturgy of
the eucharist
Presentation of the Gifts
(Stand)
P—Pray, brethren…
All—May the Lord accept the
sacrifice at your hands for the
praise and glory of his name,
for our good and the good of
all his holy Church.
Prayer over the Offerings
P—Look with favor on our
supplications, O Lord, and in
your kindness accept these,
your servants’ offerings, that
what each has offered to the
honor of your name may serve
the salvation of all.
Through Christ our Lord.
All—Amen.
Preface VIII THE COMMUNION RITE THE CONCLUDING RITES
(Sundays in Ordinary Time)
The Lord’s Prayer
P—The Lord be with you. P — The Lord be with you.
All — Our Father… All — And with your spirit.
All—And with your spirit. P — Deliver us, Lord…
P—Lift up your hearts. All — For the kingdom, the Solemn Blessing
All—We lift them up to the Lord. power and the glory are yours
P—Let us give thanks to the now and forever. P—Bow down for the blessing.
Lord our God. Invitation to Peace (Pause)
All—It is right and just.
P—It is truly right and just, Invitation to Communion May the God of all con-
our duty and our salvation,
 (Kneel) solation order your days in his
always and everywhere to give peace and grant you the gifts
P—Behold the Lamb of God,
you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, of his blessing.
behold him who takes away
almighty and eternal God. All—Amen.
the sins of the world. Blessed
For, when your children were are those called to the supper P—May he free you always from
scattered afar by sin,
 through of the Lamb. every distress and confirm your
the Blood of your Son and the All—Lord, I am not worthy hearts in his love.
power of the Spirit,
you gathered that you should enter under All—Amen.
them again to yourself, that a my roof, but only say the word
people, formed as one by the and my soul shall be healed. P — So that on this life’s journey
unity of the Trinity, made the Communion Antiphon you may be effective in good
body of Christ and the temple (Cf. Ps 36 [35]:8) works, rich in the gifts of hope,
of the Holy Spirit, might, to the faith and charity, and may come
praise of your manifold wisdom, How precious is your mercy,
happily to eternal life.
be manifest as the Church. O God! The children of men
All—Amen.
And so, in company with seek shelter in the shadow of
the choirs of Angels,
we praise your wings. P — And may the blessing of
you, and with joy we proclaim: Prayer after Communion almighty God, the Father, and
All—Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God (Stand) the Son, + and the Holy Spirit,
of hosts. Heaven and earth are come down on you and remain
full of your glory. Hosanna in P—Let us pray. (Pause)
with you for ever.
the highest. Blessed is he who May the working of this
All — Amen.
comes in the name of the Lord. heavenly gift, O Lord, we pray,
Hosanna in the highest.(Kneel) take possession of our minds Dismissal
and bodies, so that its effects,
Acclamation (Stand) P — Our celebration is ended.
and not our own desires, may
All—Save us, Savior of the always prevail in us. Go in peace, glorifying the Lord
world, for by your Cross and Through Christ our Lord. by your life.
Resurrection you have set us free. All — Amen. All — Thanks be to God.