SEPTEMBER 20 Mon Saints Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, Priest, and Paul Chŏng Ha-sang, and Companions, Martyrs Memorial

Ezr 1:1-6/Lk 8:16-18 

21 Tue Saint Matthew, Apostle, Feast Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Mt 9:9-13 

22 Wed Weekday Ezr 9:5-9/Lk 9:1-6 

23 Thu Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, Priest Memorial Hg 1:1-8/Lk 9:7-9 

24 Fri Weekday Hg 2:1-9/Lk 9:18-22 

25 Sat Weekday Zec 2:5-9, 14-15a/Lk 9:43b-45 

26 SUN TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

Nm 11:25-29/Jas 5:1-6/Mk 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 

We read from the Book of Ezra and the Prophet Haggai this week, two important sources describing the period of the Restoration, when a small Jewish community returns to Judea around 520 after exile in Babylon, thanks to the Persian king Cyrus.

Jewish history, like Christian history afterwards, is not unrelated to our own experience as a church today. The restoration of the temple and its liturgy is a key task Ezra and Nehemiah undertakes. It was a key task undertaken by the Second Vatican Council. 

This week’s readings from Luke’s gospel are from chapters 8-9,  part of Jesus’ Galilean mystery, which prepare his disciples for his great journey to Jerusalem.

The popular 20th century saint, Padre Pio, is remembered September 23, as well as St. Matthew, apostle and evangelist, September 21. 

The unusual beginnings of the church in Korea are celebrated September 20. They’re unusual because the church in Korea was founded, not by missionaries from the west, but by Korean laypeople.