Scripture readings, reflection

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By Fr. Andrew Kelly
TWENTIETH SUNDAY ORDINAL TIME – AUG. 18, 2013
Jesus’ cross dominates the worship space and sears believers’ souls with questions about decisions regarding Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 12:49-53):
“Are you ready to be plunged into the transforming fire of my crucifixion? Are you ready to be baptized into my sufferings?
“Are you ready for the divisions triggered by my very presence, words and deeds? Are you ready for lives of radical self-surrender and self-emptying for the sake of others?”
Every time believers proclaim “Thanks be to God” and “Amen” to Jesus’ word, body and blood, believers are proclaiming:
“Yes I am ready for your fire. Yes I am ready to be plunged into your baptism of sufferings. Yes I am ready for the divisions triggered by your word, body and blood. Yes I am ready for your life of total self-surrender and self-emptying for the sake of others.”
Every Sunday Jesus declares from the cross: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!”
From the cross Jesus asks: “Are you ready to be plunged into my baptism of fire? Yes or no?”
(Father Andrew Kelly is a retired priest of the Diocese of Davenport.)

Scripture Readings for Aug. 18-25
Sunday
Jer 38:4-6, 8-10
Heb 12:1-4
Lk 12:49-53
Monday
Jgs 2:11-19
Mt 19:16-22
Tuesday
Jgs 6:11-24a
Mt 19:23-30
Wednesday
Jgs 9:6-15
Mt 20:1-16
Thursday
Jgs 11:29-39a
Mt 22:1-14
Friday
Ru 1:1, 3-6, 14b-16, 22
Mt 22:34-40
Saturday
Rv 21:9b-14
Jn 1:45-51
Sunday
Is 66:18-21
Heb 12:5-7, 11-13
Lk 13:22-30


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