September 30 2017 Saturday of the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time-A ST JEROME, PRIEST, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

Zechariah 2:5-9, 14-15

Psalm Jeremiah 31:10-13

Luke 9:43-45

“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.”  Lk 9:44

Lord, your disciples had a hard time with these words.  They were amazed and joyous over your great miracles of healing, calming storms, raising the dead and feeding thousands with a few loaves of bread.  They were anticipating a triumphant entry into Jerusalem and important roles in the new kingdom you would bring to Israel.  But you reminded them of the difficult truth that to save mankind you had to give your life in a most horrible death on a cross.  They didn’t want to hear that.  They only wanted to hear the “good” news.  Lord, sometimes you have tough and difficult things to say to me.  Sometimes your words in scripture challenge me to change my ways to be more like you.  Sometimes your Spirit encourages me to step out in faith to be a friend to a difficult person who is in need.  Sometimes you ask me to die with you to attitudes and habits that keep me from loving you or my neighbor.  Jesus, I ask for your grace today so I can have an open heart to everything you want me to receive.  I am confident, my Lord, that you are with me always, in good times and in bad.  Amen.