First reading
Isaiah 50:5–9
I offered my back to those who struck me.
Responsorial psalm
Psalm 114(116):1–6, 8–9
R. I will walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.
Second reading
James 2:14–18
If good works do not go with it, faith is quite dead.
Gospel acclamation
Galatians 6:14
My only glory is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, which crucifies the world to me and me to the world.
Gospel
Mark 8:27–35
The Son of Man is destined to suffer grievously.
Images from the Word
- Who do you say I am?
- Destined to suffer
- Get behind me
- Take up the cross
- My vindicator
Liturgical notes
In the celebration of Mass the faithful form a holy people, a people of God’s own possession and a royal priesthood, so that they may give thanks to God and offer the unblemished sacrificial Victim not only by means of the hands of the Priest but also together with him and so that they may learn to offer their very selves.
—General Instruction of the Roman Missal, §95
Each time we come to Mass, we are expected to exercise our royal priesthood by fully participating in the celebration. This participation is to be expressed in our offering of the Sacrifice of the Mass. In the procession of gifts to the altar, each is invited to offer their very selves. These gifts are then consecrated by the ministry of the ordained presider. In our procession to the altar at Communion, we again share in the consecrated gifts so that we may continue to take up our cross and follow our Lord.
‘Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel’
—entrance antiphon