Book Reviews and More: Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

Sunday 26 August 2018

Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

The readings for this weekend's mass are:

First Reading Joshua 24:1-2, 15-17, 18
Responsorial Psalm 34:1-2, 15-22 Response 8
Second Reading Ephesians 4:32-5:2, 21-32
Gospel John 6:53, 60-69

It has been a long week. In some ways a very long week. I am sitting here and feeling tired and sore. And am tired of being tired and sore. A lot of it is problems of my own making. Last week I missed Sunday obligation for the first time in a long time. Saturday, we had company, and then Sunday evening my wife ended up being out. I sort of felt it all week. Like something nagging at the back of my brain, but unable to remember what it is. That is what my week felt like. The second part is about my health, I know I would feel better if I got back to being gluten free, but after falling off the wagon it has been very hard to get going again. Every day it feels like a new start, and then I give in and say tomorrow. The last factor is my weight. I have slowly been gaining back weight that was shed several years ago. I am not back to my highest weight but much higher than I like and between the weight and gluten I have been having a lot of issues especially with my ankles and knees.

I wrote a few weeks back about how attending mass sets us up for a good week, and often we make mass 2 or even three times over the weekend. This week has reminded me of how important that is. From the first reading this week:

“He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

And from the gospel reading:

“So Jesus asked the twelve,
“Do you also wish to go away?”
Simon Peter answered him,
“Lord, to whom can we go?
You have the words of eternal life.
We have come to believe and know
that you are the Holy One of God”

And so it is time for personal renewal and commitment. To refocus spiritually, and physically. To work on developing personal discipline in mind, body and spiritual development. Jesus is the key to life and I need to give it all to him.

As always I am praying for you and ask for prayers.