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Our Sunday Reflection - August 17, 2025
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"Lord, come to my aid."
Psalm 40
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Today’s second reading speaks of a great cloud of witnesses, perhaps referring to the large number of Christians who gave witness to their faith through their words and actions. Baptized in the Lord, we are those witnesses now. Looking around and seeing our faith community gathered here today, let us think of ourselves as a “great cloud of wit nesses,” assured of each other’s support and encouragement as we live out our discipleship to the Lord.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Today’s readings are difficult to hear. Jeremiah’s preaching so inflamed the people of Judah that he was thrown into a pit to die. Jesus warned his disciples that he came to inflame people so much that parents would turn against their children and vice versa. Nevertheless, says the author of Hebrews, we must persevere in our faith, endure our cross, and resist sin, so that one day we may find the joy that lies before us. As we suffer hardships on our journey to the Lord, may God’s word encourage us to never give up.Reflections
- Jeremiah lives in a very difficult time for the kingdom of Judah. The kingdom is growing weaker and weaker. Eventually it would fall to the Babylonian army during the reign of King Zedekiah. Before that point, Jeremiah saw the nation collapsing and identified two major evils: idolatry and injustice. He condemned the people for their unfaithfulness to the LORD, who saved them, and warned them of God’s justice, which he warned would lead to their nation’s destruction. Naturally, the king and princes did not appreciate his negativity, going so far as to say that he was demoralizing the soldiers and therefore acting treasonously.
- Interestingly, it is a foreigner who saves Jeremiah’s life. Ebed-melech, a native of Ethiopia pressed into the service of the king, cannot stand to see this prophet starved to death. He speaks up courageously, not knowing if the king would accept the objections of a slave to something he allowed to happen. Here, then, is an example of the power of one voice speaking out for justice and mercy
- Weeks ago, we heard Jesus send the disciples out two by two to heal the sick, drive out demons, and attract disciples in his name. The disciples did so and returned to the Lord rejoicing. Jesus could be pleased that they had taken those lessons to heart so well. But on the other hand, they cannot come to terms with his warning that he—the Messiah—would suffer greatly, be killed, and be raised on the third day. Today we hear Jesus challenge his disciples, sounding like he would wish it would happen already so that they might finally understand. He had, after all, been born into this world in order to suffer and die for it. The baptism he describes is his death, which is necessary for his resurrection, which is necessary for our redemption. Until this is all accomplished, his mission is incomplete, no matter how many are healed, comforted, or transformed.
Question of the Week
When has something I’ve said or done in accordance with my faith divided family or friends? How have I handled this? Could I have handled it better? from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, August 17, 2025
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, August 17, 2025
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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News from the Vatican
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15 hours agoMore than a million people had fled vulnerable areas ahead of the storm’s projected landfall in Aurora province – expected for later Sunday – with officials urging residents to heed evacuation orders. -
2 days agoAfter his shock election in May and sharp learning curve over the summer, Pope Leo XIV’s key priorities are coming into focus, especially where he dovetails with his predecessor, Pope Francis, and... -
5 days agoThe Vatican’s doctrine dicastery published a document on Tuesday strongly discouraging Catholics from referring to the Blessed Virgin Mary as Co-redemptrix.
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