AUGUST 28 Mon St Augustine 1 Thes 1:1-5, 8b-10/Mt 23:13-22 

29 Tue  Passion of John the Baptist 1 Thes 2:1-8 /Mk 6:17-29 

30 Wed Weekday 1 Thes 2:9-13/Mt 23:27-32

31 Thu Weekday 1 Thes 3:7-13/Mt 24:42-51

SEPTEMBER 1 Fri Weekday 1 Thes 4:1-8/Mt 25:1-13 (Day of Prayer for Creation)

2 Sat Weekday[BVM] 1 Thes 4:9-11/Mt 25:14-30 

3 SUN 22ND SUNDAY  Jer 20:7-9/Rom 12:1-2/Mt 16:21-27 

This week we’re leaving the Old Testament to read from Paul’s Letter to the Thessalonians, which may be the earliest writing of the New Testament. We’ll be reading from Thessalonians most days till next Tuesday.

About 4 scripture readings in our morning and evening prayers are from Thessalonians, so this is a good time to deepen our understanding of this book of scripture.

We’re also leaving Matthew’s gospel at the end of this week; next Monday we start reading weekdays from Luke’s Gospel. Every year we follow this same schedule of gospel and scripture readings. Why the repetition?

We’re deepening our understanding of the scriptures through deep reading. Deep reading is different than reading for facts. Some of our learning, like learning from the gospels, from prayers and saints, takes time. We learn little by little. We are slow learners. 

Deep reading applies to the way we’re called to read and listen to our prayers. It also applies to the saints, especially to important saints, like St. Augustine, whom we recall each year.

Finally, deep reading also applies to the events and situations of our day. That’s why we celebrate a Day for Creation this Friday, September 1st. We need to see creation and other issues in a deeper way than a scientific way. From September 1 to October 4, the Feast of Francis of Assisi we’re celebrating with other Christians a Season of Creation.