Discussion Questions

First Reading

Jeremiah 20:7-9

F1. Jeremiah couldn’t ignore the call to prophecy even though it brought him much ridicule. Who today speaks out about injustice in areas like human trafficking, racial discrimination, police profiling, gun violence, climate change, the death penalty?

F2. What social or economic structure of injustice would you like to transform that you can’t keep quiet about it?

Second Reading

Romans 12:1-2

S1. How do you discern God’s will? Does certainty about the will of God’s come suddenly? Can it emerge gradualIy? Do you imagine you have made the decision and then check for feelings of consolation or desolation?
 
S2. Do you think Christ will use your suffering for the salvation of the world if you unite your trials with his?

Gospel

Matthew 16:21-27

1. You cannot take your money and possessions with you when you die. If you “lose your life” in love for others, does that give you something to take with you? Is it the love in your heart that goes with you when you die?

2. According to Pope Francis, if we want to be his disciples, how do we imitate Christ?

Thus the task of “taking up the cross” becomes participating with Christ in the salvation of the world. Considering this, let us make sure that the cross hanging on the wall at home, or that little one that we wear around our neck, is a sign of our wish to be united with Christ in lovingly serving our brothers and sisters, especially the littlest and most fragile. ….

Each time we fix our gaze on the image of Christ crucified, let us contemplate that he, as the true Servant of the Lord, has accomplished his mission, giving life, spilling his blood for the pardoning of sins. …. Therefore, if we want to be his disciples, we are called to imitate him, expending our life unreservedly out of love of God and neighbor.

Angelus for the 22nd Sun A
Pope Francis, Aug 30, 2020

Anne Osdieck
 

**From Saint Louis University