20 February 2020 Catholic Mass Daily Bible Reading. USCCB. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8,27-33. Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along …More
20 February 2020 Catholic Mass Daily Bible Reading.
USCCB. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8,27-33.
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, «Who do people say that I am?»
They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets."
And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah."
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350)
Bishop of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church
Baptismal catecheses nos. 13, 3.6.23
"Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him"
We should not be ashamed of the cross of the Savior but rather make it our glory. “The message of the cross is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” but for us it is salvation. For those who are perishing it is foolishness, but for us who are being saved it is the power of God” (cf. 1 Cor 1:18-24). For it is no mere man who died but the Son of God, God made man. In Moses' days the lamb caused the destroying angel to pass over (cf. Ex 12:23) and has not “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29) set us even more free from our sins?
Not by force did he lose his life; not by might was he sacrificed, but by his own will. Hear what he said: “I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18). (...) He came to his Passion of set will, happy in his exploit, laughing at his victory, satisfied to be saving us. He was not ashamed of the cross because he was saving the whole earth. It was not some poor man who was suffering but God made man who entered the combat to win the prize of patience. (...)
Do not rejoice in the cross only in times of peace; preserve the same faith in times of persecution. Do not be a friend to Jesus in times of peace alone, only to become his enemy in times of war. You are now receiving forgiveness for your sins and the spiritual gifts lavishly bestowed by your king so, when war breaks out, fight valiantly for your king. Jesus has been crucified for you, he who was without sin. (...) It is not you who bestowed this grace on him for you first of all received it. But you offer thanks to him who paid the price by being crucified for you on Golgotha.
USCCB. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 8,27-33.
Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, «Who do people say that I am?»
They said in reply, "John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets."
And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter said to him in reply, "You are the Messiah."
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.
He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Saint Cyril of Jerusalem (313-350)
Bishop of Jerusalem, Doctor of the Church
Baptismal catecheses nos. 13, 3.6.23
"Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him"
We should not be ashamed of the cross of the Savior but rather make it our glory. “The message of the cross is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” but for us it is salvation. For those who are perishing it is foolishness, but for us who are being saved it is the power of God” (cf. 1 Cor 1:18-24). For it is no mere man who died but the Son of God, God made man. In Moses' days the lamb caused the destroying angel to pass over (cf. Ex 12:23) and has not “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (Jn 1:29) set us even more free from our sins?
Not by force did he lose his life; not by might was he sacrificed, but by his own will. Hear what he said: “I have power to lay down my life and I have power to take it up again” (Jn 10:18). (...) He came to his Passion of set will, happy in his exploit, laughing at his victory, satisfied to be saving us. He was not ashamed of the cross because he was saving the whole earth. It was not some poor man who was suffering but God made man who entered the combat to win the prize of patience. (...)
Do not rejoice in the cross only in times of peace; preserve the same faith in times of persecution. Do not be a friend to Jesus in times of peace alone, only to become his enemy in times of war. You are now receiving forgiveness for your sins and the spiritual gifts lavishly bestowed by your king so, when war breaks out, fight valiantly for your king. Jesus has been crucified for you, he who was without sin. (...) It is not you who bestowed this grace on him for you first of all received it. But you offer thanks to him who paid the price by being crucified for you on Golgotha.
Letter of James 2,1-9.
My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "…More
My brothers, show no partiality as you adhere to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.
For if a man with gold rings on his fingers and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and a poor person in shabby clothes also comes in,
and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say, "Sit here, please," while you say to the poor one, "Stand there," or "Sit at my feet,"
have you not made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil designs?
Listen, my beloved brothers. Did not God choose those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he promised to those who love him?
But you dishonored the poor person. Are not the rich oppressing you? And do they themselves not haul you off to court?
Is it not they who blaspheme the noble name that was invoked over you?
However, if you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing well.
But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
Psalms 34(33),2-3.4-5.6-7.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.