One another, Sunday31B

November 03, 2024

Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Psalm 18 (17); Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34

To God, the Father of compassion and Author of love, let us offer our prayers for all the human family:

That the Spirit of love and compassion may breathe the life of God into every ministry of our Church and parish community: let us pray to the Lord.

That those who serve the Church as bishops, priests, deacons, and ministers may seek to imitate the compassion and humility of Jesus Christ, the Eternal High Priest: let us pray to the Lord.

That the nations and peoples of the world may grow and prosper in God’s ways of peace and justice: let us pray to the Lord.

That lawyers, teachers, and journalists may seek and reveal the depth of God’s truth in every human endeavor: let us pray to the lord.

That we may see in the faces of the poor, the abused, and the unwanted the face of the suffering Christ: let us pray to the Lord.

That the faithful who have died [especially _________], may live anew in the reign of God: let us pray to the Lord.

That God will hear the prayers we now offer in the silence of our hearts [Pause...]: let us pray to the Lord.

Accept, O gracious God, the humble offering of our prayers for all our human family. May we praise you for your great love for us by returning that love to one another in humble and selfless compassion and service. We offer these prayers to you in the name of your Son, your Love incarnate, Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024u, November 3). Thirty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm

-Cormier, J. (1995). Lord, Hear Our Prayer: Prayer of the Faithful for Sundays, Holy Days, and Ritual Masses.

The Word today, W31B

November 04 - November 09, 2024

Monday 04 November

St Charles Borromeo, bishop

Philippians 2:1-4 Conflict (and even competitiveness ) is normal in the Christian community but it is not how it should be. Paul makes a very personal appeal to faithful in Philippi to set aside any feelings of superiority.

Luke 14:12-14 Gospel values really offer us a kind of upside-down world. Nowhere is this so clear as in this short gospel passage.

Tuesday 05 November

St Martin de Porres, religious

Philippians 2:5-11 This hymn, cited by Paul, was most likely in use among the Philippians. He presents it here because he wants them “to have the same mind that was in Christ Jesus.”

Luke 14:15-24 The parable of the Great Banquet survives in two independent versions. It most likely goes back to Jesus: this is his prophetic word to God’s first chosen people, who did not accept him.

Wednesday 06 November

Philippians 2:12-18 It is worth noticing how Paul encourages the Philippians — a generous but not perfect community — to continue to grow. He always builds in the present (“indicative”) while commanding a deeper engagement (“imperative”). Affirmation, then encouragement.

Luke 14:25-33 Unfinished building projects are not just a scar on the landscape but shame on the builder. The message in this Gospel is clear: be sure you are able for discipleship before setting out — it really is not for the faint-hearted.

All Saints of Ireland

Sirach 44:1-15 This is a generous and delightful passage, inviting us to remember again all who have gone before us — not just the “canonised” of course! It might be a good idea to find an inclining language version (such as the NRSV / NRSVue).

Hebrews 11:2, 12:1-4, 15, 13:1 The reading summons up the great cloud of witness to encourage us today.

Luke 6:17-23 In a typical “wisdom” fashion, Jesus puts before us the “two ways”, one leading to death and misery, the other to life and joy. We read only the beatitudes. Of course it is never forbidden to extend the reading. “Happy” could well be read as “flourishing”.

Thursday 07 November

St Wilibrord, bishop and missionary

Philippians 3:3-8 Paul is dealing with those who wish to retain significant parts of the Jewish law, such as circumcision. In the course of his reply, we learn a great deal about Paul himself.

Luke 15:1-10 Two short parables are offered today— short but significant. The open verses introducing the parables are a key to their meaning.

Friday 08 November

Philippians 3:17-4:1 Paul is attacking those so-called evangelists who insisted on core Jewish practices, such as circumcision and dietary laws. As he puts it, our homeland—lit. our citizenship (politeuma)—is elsewhere.

Luke 16:1-8 This Gospel can still shock. It appears that the one fiddling the books fiddles even more and is approved! In reality, however, the stewards was reducing his share of the profit, thus ensuring homes to be welcomed into. At least he is proactive!

Saturday 09 November

Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12 Ezekiel offered the suffering people an extraordinary vision of life and healing flowing from God’s presence. The picture of abundant nature will surely strike a chord in our time: ‘Fish will be very plentiful, for wherever the water goes it brings health, and life teems wherever the river flows. etc.

1 Cor 3:9-11, 16-17 Who are we really before God? No less than a temple of the Holy Spirit, built on the foundation of Jesus Christ.

John 2:13-22 The Temple action was radical—not an attack on abuse but on the functioning of the Temple as such.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024u, November 3). Thirty-first Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110324.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, Sunday31B

Sunday November 03, 2024

When Jesus said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

See

There is a story told about an elderly Cistercian, who on being asked what he believed at that point in his life replied, “I believe more and more in less and less”! It is not as paradoxical as it seems. As we go on, the core dimension of the faith should stand out for us. As Erasmus wrote, the essentials are few but essential.

Listen

Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Psalm 18 (17); Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34

Reflect

(Mark 12:28-34)

-Today’s gospel brings us right to the heart of what a Christian life involves: love of God and of neighbour. Jesus tells us that having life both now and in the future is the fruit of living in a spirit of love. How have you experienced the power of love given, and received, as a source of life and vitality?

-If you were asked what is most important in life, what would your answer be? Recall the experiences and relationships you have had. Which are the ones that you treasure most? What has particularly enriched your life? How would you encourage another person who asked you how s/he could live a full life?

-Jesus praises the questioner as one who had answered wisely. Recall some of the wise people you have known, people who in their words and actions impressed you with their capacity to see and treasure what is important in life.

Pray

Lord our God, you are the one God and there is no other. Give us grace to hear and heed the great commandment of your kingdom, that we may love you with all our heart and our neighbour as ourselves. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

References

I Love You, Lord, My Strength