Duped by Man and this World, All We can Do is Put Our Total Trust in the Lord, Take Up Our Cross, and Surrender and Follow Him!

Sometimes I think I know how Jeremiah feels about being duped. Mostly it is being duped by humans, deception, deceit, greed, corruption, fraud, humans sure do disappoint and deceive!  I got my share of that this week by some. So many today seem to worship money, not God, they will do anything to cheat others for a bonus or commission. It is hard to come across respectable businesses and employees often, it seems like they are few and far between. We need to remember to surrender all to Jesus nonetheless. When we become discouraged or down, or feeling taken advantage of, we do have God, Jesus our Lord and savior to turn to, He is always there for us to get us through anything, any human disappointment. So many today have become slaves to Satan, getting behind him, worshipping money, thinking as humans in this material world,  not God, not being upright, holy, honest, and godly, they take advantage of their brothers and sisters, harm others just for a little more money. It is sad. Being duped is not a good feeling. God is good to those who put their trust in Him! My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God! When humans disappoint, I know God never will! I must surrender to Jesus. My godmother sent me a nice card and prayer about this Surrender to Jesus Novena for my birthday, it is very nice and so true, that is all we can do! All we can do is offer all to the Lord, sing His praises and rejoice in Him and all He does for us! He will get us through these dark and disappointing times that often others do to us. I need to remember like Jesus said, "For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct." My goal is to get into Heaven and to do my best to live of life for Christ while on this Earth School. That really is all that matters! We need to take up our cross, deny ourselves, and follow Jesus so to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. This world will never satisfy us, we must focus on living in the light of Eternity with Christ! 

Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading 1
Jeremiah 20:7-9
You duped me, O LORD, and I let myself be duped;
you were too strong for me, and you triumphed.
All the day I am an object of laughter;
everyone mocks me.
Whenever I speak, I must cry out,
violence and outrage is my message;
the word of the LORD has brought me
derision and reproach all the day.
I say to myself, I will not mention him,
I will speak in his name no more.
But then it becomes like fire burning in my heart,
imprisoned in my bones;
I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. (2b) My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus have I gazed toward you in the sanctuary
to see your power and your glory,
for your kindness is a greater good than life;
my lips shall glorify you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
Thus will I bless you while I live;
lifting up my hands, I will call upon your name.
As with the riches of a banquet shall my soul be satisfied,
and with exultant lips my mouth shall praise you.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
You are my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you;
your right hand upholds me.
R. My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.

Reading 2
Romans12:1-2
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God,
to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.
Do not conform yourselves to this age
but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Alleluia
cf. Eph 1:17-18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
enlighten the eyes of our hearts,
that we may know what is the hope
that belongs to our call.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Matthew 16:21-27
Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."
He turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."
Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life?
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."