Announcing:
Saint Mary's Press winner for the week of August 22, 2011!

Congratulations to Tammy Juarez!

Tammy will receive a copy of Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers, a $18.95 value.

The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers
by Janet Claussen, Pat Finan, Diana Macalintal, Jerry Shepherd, Susan Stark, Chris Wardwell

Whether middle schoolers encounter this book as part of the Catholic Connections program in faith formation or pick it up out of curiosity, The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers offers great guidance and aims to help young teens learn about all the central aspects of the Catholic faith, including God, revelation, faith, Jesus the Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Church, liturgy and sacraments, Christian morality and justice, and prayer.

Catholic Connections Handbook for Middle Schoolers
ISBN: 978-0-88489-994-5, paper, 552 pages

Reflecting on the Mission of Catholic Educators

One of the great parts of my job at Saint Mary’s Press is that I have the opportunity occasionally to go to other parts of the country and meet with teachers, youth ministers, and catechists. This past week I was lucky enough to be in Los Angeles presenting an in-service for twenty-seven high school religion teachers who will be using the new high school curriculum from Saint Mary’s Press, Living in Christ.I also had the opportunity to visit three schools (two that were having their first day of the school year and one that had been in session for a week).

At the in-service and the school visits, I was struck by the wide range of ages, experiences, and backgrounds these teachers were bringing to their ministry. It was truly inspiring to see first- and second-year teachers sitting next to vowed religious who have been teaching for over thirty years. It was also moving to see the shared enthusiasm these teachers had for the arrival or impending arrival of the students for the new school year. With all the lesson planning, greeting of students, setting up of classrooms, and attendance at meetings that these teachers were engulfed in, they radiated their commitment to education and the development of their students. This is a commitment I know each one of you shares.

As this school year begins, I would like to share with you three resources you can utilize for personal reflection or for discussion with your theology department or ministry coworkers. The first one was written by a high school senior in 2010 and was published in The Catholic Sun, the diocesan newspaper for the Diocese of Syracuse. The second is an excerpt from the 2005 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ statement Renewing Our Commitment to Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools in the Third Millennium. The third is an address Pope Benedict XVI delivered to Catholic educators on his visit to the United States in 2008. In each of these pieces, you will find a reflection on the significance of Catholic education and the importance of teachers and ministers. As students begin to return to school, I pray that they witness the love of Christ in the educators and ministers they encounter, and, as always, I pray that God will continue to bless you and your ministry.

Peace,
Steven McGlaun

Click Here for More Information

Prayer at the Start of Something New
From 22 Ready-Made Prayer Services with 100 Extra Prayer Ideas

Themes
- Sharing your gifts
- Don’t hide your gifts!
- Celebrating the gifts of youth
- Gifted to serve God and others
- Recognizing your gifts

Suggested Uses
- At the beginning of a school year or a new youth ministry or parish formation
program
- As part of a parish ministry fair
- As part of World Youth Day
- At a celebration of young people

Forms of Prayer
- Music
- Art
- Petition
- Liturgical prayer
- Symbolic prayer
- Storytelling
- Drama-dialogue-mime
- Affirmation
- Scripture

Extra Prayer Ideas
A. Give each teen a sealed envelope with a copy of “The Parable of the Talents” (Matthew 25:14–30) and a one-, two-, or five-dollar bill inside. Challenge the teens to, in a month’s time, return to “the master” and share what they have done with the money given to them.
B. Ask the seniors in your parish or school to meet with the freshmen and share how they gained the courage to share their gifts and talents with the wider youth community.
C. Create a large banner that says, “You Are a Gift from God!” Hang it up in your worship space during prayer and later display it prominently in the school vestibule or youth-group meeting hall.
D. Celebrate the diversity of your parish or school community by proclaiming some of the readings or prayers from this prayer service in other languages.

The Gift We Are
Gather the following items before beginning the prayer service:
- the song “Celebrate Youth,” by Steve Angrisano
- a CD of instrumental music
- two CD players
- six copies of resource 11–A, “Procession of Gifts”
- a cross
- a candle
- three or four textbooks
- a basket of food
- a wooden or cardboard model of a door signed by the teens
- two copies of THE CATHOLIC YOUTH BIBLE or another Bible
- the song “To You, O God, I Lift up My Soul,” by Bob Hurd
- five copies of resource 11–B, “‘The Parable of the Talents’”
- four copies of resource 11–C, “Reflection on ‘The Parable of the Talents’”
- the song “Hear Our Prayer,” by Tom Tomaszek
- eight copies of resource 11–D, “Prayers of Petition for Teens’ Concerns”

Preparation
- if your parish or school has a youth choir, invite them to sing. Pair up a teen and an adult cantor to lead the songs.
- Ask six teens to prepare the procession on resource 11–A, “Procession of Gifts.”
- Ask two teens to prepare the Scripture readings:
- 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 (There Are Many Gifts but the Same Spirit)
- Matthew 25:14–29 (“The Parable of the Talents”)
- Ask five teens to prepare the mime adaptation of ”The Parable of the Talents,” on resource 11–B, “‘The Parable of the Talents.’” One teen reads the script while the other four act out what the reader is describing.
- Ask four adults to prepare “The Parable of the Talents” reflection on resource 11–C, “Reflection on ‘The Parable of the Talents.’”
- Invite eight teens to read the prayers of petition on resource 11–D, “Prayers of Petition for Teens’ Concerns.”
- Teach the songs “Celebrate Youth,” “To You, O God, I Lift up My Soul,” and “Hear Our Prayer.”

Order of Prayer

Gathering Song
Invite the teens and the choir to sing the first two verses of “Celebrate Youth.”

Procession of Gifts
[Play some quiet instrumental music in the background during the procession.]
Reader 1:We bring up the cross of Jesus Christ, for in all we do—classes, youth group, and all our other activities—we put Jesus first.
Reader 2:We bring up a candle to represent all the spiritual activities in youth ministry, such as retreats, creative prayer, learning about the Bible, and attending Mass regularly.
Reader 3:We bring up some textbooks to represent the many ways we learn in youth ministry, especially through our classes.
Reader 4:We bring up a basket of food to represent all the outreach projects at [name of parish or school], such as [list some outreach projects] and many others.
Reader 5:We bring up a CD player to represent all the social activities in our youth groups, such as [list some activities].
Reader 6:We bring up a door signed by many of our teens to represent that the door is always open, that all teens are welcome at [name of parish or school].
Prayer Leader: We gather together tonight in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Prayer Leader:We gather as teens, parents, teachers, and friends. We ask God’s blessings on the start of a new year of youth ministry at [name of parish or school ]. We ask God to help us recognize our gifts and talents and encourage others to share their gifts and talents. We ask all this through Christ, our Lord.
All: Amen.
[Invite the teens and the choir to sing two more verses of “Celebrate Youth.”]
Invite the first Scripture reader to read 1 Corinthians 12:4–11.
Invite the teens and the choir to sing “To You, O God, I Lift up My Soul.”
Invite the second Scripture reader to read Matthew 25:14–29.
Invite the five teens to come forward and present the Gospel using the mime script on resource 11–B, “‘The Parable of the Talents.’”
Invite the four adults to come forward and present the reflection on resource 11–C, “Reflection on ‘The Parable of the Talents.’”
Cantor: The sung response is: “Hear our prayer. Hear our prayer. Hear our prayer,
Lord, hear our prayer. Hear our prayer.”
[The sung response is from the song “Hear Our Prayer.”]

All respond.

Reader 1: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for all the teens in our parish community.
Give them courage to use their gifts and talents to serve God and others.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 2: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for the catechists of our young people.
Inspire them to use their gifts to share your Gospel with enthusiasm. Hear our prayer.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 3: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for the parents of all our teens. Help them share their gifts of faith, hope, and love with their children.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 4: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for world, national, and Church leaders. Teach them to be advocates for our teens entrusted to their protection.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 5: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for all teens that are homeless, hungry, and in danger. Give them shelter, food, and a safe haven this night and always.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 6: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for members of our families and parish community that are sick. Help them mend, recover, and regain physical and emotional health.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 7: Hear our prayer, Lord, as we pray for members of our families and parish community that have died. Grant them eternal rest at your side and comfort all those who grieve their loss.
Cantor and all respond.
Reader 8: Hear our prayer, Lord, for the intentions we mention in the silence of our hearts. [Pause.] Guide us and comfort us, challenge us and celebrate with us, teach us and forgive us. Be with us always.
Cantor and all respond.

The Lord’s Prayer
Lead the group in saying the Lord’s Prayer.

Closing Blessing
Prayer Leader:
May God the Father bless you and keep you,
May the light of Christ shine upon you,
May the Holy Spirit bring you peace.
Amen.

Sending-Forth Song
Invite the teens and the choir to sing “Celebrate Youth.”

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
August 28, 2011
Matthew 16:21-27

Opening Prayer

Jesus, you are the Messiah, the anointed one sent by God to bring about the redemption of humankind through your death and Resurrection. We are grateful for your selfless act of love in dying on the cross. Bring us new life through your Resurrection. Amen.

Context Connection
This Sunday's Gospel flows directly from last Sunday's Gospel, in which Peter proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah. In response Jesus proclaims that he will build his church on the rock foundation of Peter's faith. This Sunday's Gospel continues to reveal the true identity of Jesus as the Messiah. Peter's understanding of messiah was seen through his Jewish lens, which viewed the messiah as a world leader victorious in battle, courageous in war, a liberator of his people, and a savior for all times. It was with great hope that the Jewish people awaited the coming of this messiah--an individual who would usher in the era of God's justice and peace in the world as they knew it. Peter thought he had it made; he would be the right-hand man to the Jewish messiah. After all, Jesus had just declared, "you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" (16:18). As Jesus slowly reveals the meaning of his role as Messiah, there is a jarring conflict with the image held by Peter and the other disciples: "Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised" (16:21). Jesus's prediction becomes a major stumbling block for the disciples. Expressing the disciples' turmoil, Peter rejects the possibility that Jesus, the Messiah, would have to suffer. This notion is foreign to Peter's understanding and the Jewish understanding of the messianic role. Peter reacts to Jesus's prediction using very strong language: "Peter took [Jesus] aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you'" (16:22). For any Jew it would have been utterly inconceivable that the Messiah would be betrayed by a disciple and would have to suffer and die. Jesus's response is as strong as Peter's rebuke: "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things" (16:23). Understanding that the Jewish root of the word satan means "adversary" helps us to grasp why Jesus uses this term in speaking to Peter. Peter is arguing with Jesus about the role of the Messiah. Jesus understands the role of the Messiah from God's perspective, and Peter understands the role of the Messiah from a human perspective. In arguing with Jesus, Peter becomes a stumbling block--a rock that causes others to fall and to misunderstand Jesus's role as Messiah--rather than a cornerstone upon which to build. Jesus demands that Peter and the disciples get behind him and not oppose the role that the Messiah must carry out in God's plan of salvation. Jesus's statement "get behind me" could also refer to Jesus's desire that the disciples support and rally behind God's design for the Messiah. Jesus is trying to point out to the disciples that their vision of the Messiah's role is too narrow because it comes only from a human perspective: "For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things" (16:23).

Next Jesus raises the ante and challenges the disciples: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me" (16:24). Just as Jesus the Messiah will have to suffer and die, so too will those who follow Jesus: "Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for [Jesus's] sake will find it" (16:25). Being a disciple of this Messiah did not promise a position of earthly glory.

Tradition Connection
On several occasions Jesus shared with his disciples that he would have to travel to Jerusalem, where he would suffer and die only to be raised from the dead on the third day. This was the plan that God had put into motion and that would result in the salvation of humankind. Jesus freely accepted God's plan and prepared his disciples to understand and embrace it:

By embracing in his human heart the Father's love for men, Jesus "loved them to the end," for "greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."1 In suffering and death his humanity became the free and perfect instrument of his divine love which desires the salvation of men.2 Indeed, out of love for his Father and for men, whom the Father wants to save, Jesus freely accepted his Passion and death: "No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord."3 Hence the sovereign freedom of God's Son as he went out to his death.4 (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 609)

The unique way Jesus suffered and died was by being crucified. Crucifixion was the normal method of capital punishment used by the Romans. Thus the cross has become the dominant symbol in Christianity. Through the cross Jesus conquered death and through his Resurrection created a new life of salvation in God. All of Jesus's disciples are invited to take up their cross for it leads to new life in God:

The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ, the "one mediator between God and men."5 But because in his incarnate divine person he has in some way united himself to every man, "the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery" is offered to all men.6 He calls his disciples to "take up [their] cross and follow [him],"7 for "Christ also suffered for [us], leaving [us] an example so that [we] should follow in his steps."8 In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries.9 This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering.10

"Apart from the cross there is no other ladder by which we may get to heaven."11 (Catechism, paragraph 618)

In the sacrament of Baptism we ritualize this reality of dying to self and rising to a new life dedicated to God. Baptism makes us disciples of Jesus and points to Jesus as the model for all Christians. As imitators of Jesus, we learn how to walk as children of light in our world:

Incorporated into Christ by Baptism, Christians are "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" and so participate in the life of the Risen Lord.12 Following Christ and united with him,13 Christians can strive to be "imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love"14 by conforming their thoughts, words and actions to the "mind . . . Which is yours in Christ Jesus,"15 and by following his example.16 (Catechism, paragraph 1694)

Wisdom Connection
Matthew wants his community to understand that Jesus is the Messiah that the Jewish people have been waiting for; however, Jesus the Christ does not fit neatly into the Jewish concept of messiah. Jesus is not a worldly leader who has conquered other nations in battle. Instead, Jesus has done something far greater and more liberating: Jesus has conquered death. In conquering death through his own Passion, death, and Resurrection, Jesus has won salvation for all humankind.

Even the disciples who knew Jesus as friend struggled with this new insight into the role of the Messiah in God's plan of salvation. If the original disciples struggled to grasp this new understanding of the Messiah then it was okay for Matthew's community to struggle with this revelation as well. However, in the end, Jesus's followers need to "get behind" Jesus as the Messiah who conquered death and liberated humankind. This is an essential precept of the Christian faith.

In professing that Jesus is the Messiah as defined by God's revelation, Jesus's followers will also face suffering and pain. Jesus did not come to do away with these conditions of human nature but to be a model of how to deal with suffering and death, which lead to new life in resurrection. Jesus's honor is restored by God when God raises him from the dead on the third day. For Jesus's disciples, honor is won by taking up their cross each day: "For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for [Jesus's] sake will find it" (16:25).

Acknowledgments
The scriptural quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, Catholic Edition. Copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.

The quotations labeled Catechism are from the English translation of the Catechism of the Catholic Church for use in the United States of America. Copyright © 1994 by the United States Catholic Conference, Inc.--Libreria Editrice Vaticana. Used with permission.

The Lord's Prayer is taken from Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers. Copyright © 1988 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Inc., Washington, DC. All rights reserved.

Endnotes Cited in Quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church
1. John 13:1; 15:13.
2. Cf. Hebrews 2:10,17-18; 4:15; 5:7-9.
3. John 10:18.
4. Cf. John 18:4-6; Matthew 26:53.
5. 1 Timothy 2:5.
6. Gaudium et spes 22 § 5; cf. § 2.
7. Matthew 16:24.
8. 1 Peter 2:21.
9. Cf. Mark 10:39; John 21:18-19; Colossians 1:24.
10. Cf. Luke 2:35.
11. St. Rose of Lima, cf. P. Hansen, Vita mirabilis ( Louvain, 1668).
12. Romans 6:11 and cf. 6:5; cf. Colossians 2:12.
13. Cf. John 15:5.
14. Ephesians 5:1-2.
15. Philippians 2:5.
16. Cf. John 13:12-16.

Saint Rose of Lima

August 23 is the memorial for Saint Rose of Lima.

She was the daughter of Spanish immigrants to Peru. Saint Rose of Lima was so committed to her vow of chastity that she used lye and pepper to ruin her complexion. She was the first saint to have been born in the Americas. She is also one of the patron saints of this year’s World Youth Day in Spain.

For more information on Saint Rose of Lima, go to http://saints.sqpn.com/saint-rose-of-lima.