Let’s look at some of the main themes in the readings for the 17th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Genesis 18:20-32
The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are filled with grave sin, causing God to consider their destruction.
Abraham “bargains” with God, securing the Lord’s promise that if only 10 innocent people are still living in the city of Sodom it will not be destroyed.
Psalm – 138:1-3,6-8
“Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”
God’s mercy protects the humble who seek God in prayer and daily practice.
2nd Reading – Colossians 2:12-14
Through baptism Christians die and rise with Jesus.
It is the Cross of Christ that frees us from our sins.
Gospel – Luke 11:1-13
Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer to the disciples (slightly shorter than the one found in Matthew 6:9-13.)
The Lord’s Prayer is followed by a reflection on petitionary prayer, where the disciple asks and receives good things from God. (Note, this is different from the Gospel of Matthew which follows up with a reflection on forgiveness.)
We recall the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross so that we never take for granted the Lord’s saving gift as we are inspired to grow in faith, hope and love.
As Jesus speaks to the Pharisees, he references how Moses brought about healing to the afflicted people of Israel. May we gaze upon the Lord – lifted up upon the Cross – for our redemption.
Matthew’s Gospel reveals both the Cross of Christ and the Cup of suffering. As disciples of Jesus, we must be prepared for both throughout the course of our lives.
The sorrow of Mary as she stood faithfully before the Cross of Christ helps us to engage our grief. When we acknowledge our sorrows, we call upon the saving strength of Jesus to pass through our pain into healing joy.
2019 Pilgrimage to Calvary in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
This feast concentrates our attention on the instrument of our salvation, as we thank the Lord who offered himself as the perfect sacrifice that restores us to right relationship with God. May we gaze upon the Cross of Christ with grateful hearts each and every day!
Jesus makes it clear that to follow him means that we will carry a cross. As we confront whatever is hard and difficult in our lives today, may we open our hearts to God’s grace at work within us…trusting that the one who was victorious over his cross will transform our own as well.
Three Great Things 