September 23
Memorial of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest
Give a Mass Offering
Mass Intention
7:45 AM – Parishioners of Holy Cross
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
Readings
First Reading
Haggai 1:1-8
On the first day of the sixth month in the second year of King Darius, The word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, and to the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak:
Thus says the LORD of hosts:
This people says:
“The time has not yet come to rebuild the house of the LORD.”
(Then this word of the LORD came through Haggai, the prophet:)
Is it time for you to dwell in your own paneled houses,
while this house lies in ruins?
Now thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! You have sown much, but have brought in little; you have eaten, but have not been satisfied; You have drunk, but have not been exhilarated; have clothed yourselves, but not been warmed; And whoever earned wages earned them for a bag with holes in it.
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways! Go up into the hill country; bring timber, and build the house That I may take pleasure in it and receive my glory, says the LORD.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalms 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
R. (see 4a) The Lord takes delight in his people.
Sing to the LORD a new song
of praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel be glad in their maker,
let the children of Zion rejoice in their king.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let them praise his name in the festive dance,
let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
For the LORD loves his people,
and he adorns the lowly with victory.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Let the faithful exult in glory;
let them sing for joy upon their couches;
Let the high praises of God be in their throats.
This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia.
R. The Lord takes delight in his people.
Gospel Acclamation
John 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Luke 9:7-9
Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.
“The Lord takes delight in his people.”
Reflection
Today, there is a very interesting situation brewing in the first reading from the prophet Haggai. As we might recall from yesterday’s readings, the Israelite people were released from slavery in Babylon for the express purpose of returning to Jerusalem and building up the temple that was destroyed by the Babylonians. This wonderful event came about because of the intervention of their God, who felt that they had suffered enough as slaves to the corrupt and idolatrous Babylonians.
The people arrive in their homeland and begin the work of rebuilding. But there is one big problem—they start to rebuild their homes instead of the temple. Enter Haggai, who delivers a stern message that this type of behavior is what got them into trouble in the first place. Some people will never learn!
Someone else who will never learn is King Herod who had John the Baptist killed because he was moved to give his stepdaughter anything she wanted because of her dancing. When Jesus comes along, everyone thinks that that he is the reincarnation of John, not realizing that Jesus is the one who John proclaimed as the fulfillment of the kingdom of God. Even so, Herod kept trying to see Jesus.
Today, we honor Saint Pius of Pietreclina, also known as Padre Pio, a wonderful priest who bore the stigmata of Jesus on his person and dedicated his life to alleviating the suffering of everyone he came across. There is a story that he heard the confession of a young priest named Karol Wojtyla, who would eventually become Pope John Paul II. A momentous meeting indeed. Our God is an awesome God, isn’t he?
God bless,
Deacon Dare
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