READINGS
Reading 1 Heb 10:32-36
Brothers and sisters:
Remember the days past when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a great contest of suffering.
At times you were publicly exposed to abuse and affliction; at other times you associated yourselves with those so treated.
You even joined in the sufferings of those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you had a better and lasting possession.
Therefore, do not throw away your confidence;
it will have great recompense.
You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.
Responsorial Psalm
Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6
R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,we were like men dreaming.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
and our tongue with rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Then they said among the nations,
"The LORD has done great things for them."
The LORD has done great things for us;
we are glad indeed.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Restore our fortunes, O LORD,
like the torrents in the southern desert.
Those who sow in tearsshall reap rejoicing.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Although they go forth weeping,
carrying the seed to be sown,
They shall come back rejoicing,
carrying their sheaves.
R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.
Alleluia. Jas 1:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation,for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Jn 12:24-26
Jesus said to his disciples:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat;
but if it dies, it produces much fruit.
Whoever loves his life loses it,
and whoever hates his life in this world
will preserve it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me,
and where I am, there also will my servant be.
The Father will honor whoever serves me."
REFLECTION
During the Christian persecutions, St Januarius and his followers were imprisoned by the Emperor Diocletion for practicing their Christian faith.
He was sent to the Colliseum to be fed to the bears, butthe bears didn't attack him. So he was beheaded. A Christian woman collected a small amount of his blood as a relic.
As recent as 2022, St Januarius' blood liquidfied in Naples in front of 2000 people in the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary.
If this miracle does not occur then it is believed that there will be war, famine, disease, or other disasters.
Archbishop of Naples said, "Believe me, what really matters to the Lord, what our bishop and martyr Januarius strongly asks of us, is the daily commitment to stake on love,”
Let charity prevail in our lives. The blood of St. Janarius is a reminder for us to live as Christ did.
Let us pray for all bishops and priests to sacrifice themselves daily for Christ and for the salvatiin if souls.
Please pray our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
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