SOCL, Sunday30B

Sunday October 27, 2024

Immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

See

The journey towards faith has many dimensions. Firstly, there is our need (expressed in the Gospel as blindness). Secondly, the courage to name our need, even in the face of opposition. Next comes our encounter with Jesus and our cry for help, guidance, healing. Naming our need is insisted upon by Jesus as an essential step, because faith is so much more than believing lots of doctrines. More fundamentally, it is an act of trust, a putting of myself in relationship and being able to receive from God whatever it is we need. This is the faith which makes us well.

Listen

Jeremiah 31:7-9; Psalm 126 (125); Hebrews 5:1-6; Mark 10:46-52

Reflect

(Mark 10:46-52)

-In this story Jesus cures the blind man, Bartimaeus. Recovery of sight in the Bible is often a metaphor for coming to faith. Perhaps during your life you have had moments of insight, of deeper understanding, of appreciating who Jesus is for you. What was it that helped you to see more clearly?

-Who was the ‘Jesus person’ who helped you to see more clearly? Perhaps, as a parent, a teacher or a friend, you have also been a ‘Jesus person’ for another and helped her or him to a clearer understanding of the meaning of life, love and faith.

-To get to Jesus, Bartimaeus threw aside his cloak so that he would not be impeded. What have you had to discard in order to be able to see more clearly (e.g., an assumption, a prejudice, a rigid opinion)?

-“Your faith has saved you” Jesus said to Bartimaeus. Recall situations in which you have been grateful for the faith that is yours because in some way it saved you.

Pray

Have pity on us, God our savior. Grant us grace and courage to cast off our sins and turn to you for healing. Show us in Christ the sure path of salvation and strengthen us to follow gladly in the Way of the Gospel. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

References

The Lord Has Done Great Things For Us

One another, Sunday29B

October 20, 2024

Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33 (32); Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:35-45

To the Lord of kindness and hope, let us pray:

That our Church and parish may be formed by the Spirit into a faithful community of disciples: let us pray to the Lord.

That “the will of the Lord (may) be accomplished” through the teaching and example of our Church’s bishops, priests, deacons, and ministers: let us pray to the Lord.

That the leaders and rulers of nations may govern their people with justice, understanding, and a commitment to the common good: let us pray to the Lord.

That those who are forced to drink from the cup of suffering and persecution may persevere in faith to experience one day the victory of Christ’s resurrection: let us pray to the lord.

That the sick, the suffering, and the dying may receive “mercy and favor” before the “throne of grace”: let us pray to the Lord.

That the souls of those who have died [especially _________], may share in the glory of the reign of the Risen Christ: 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.

Father, grant us the courage and perseverance to be worthy disciples of your Son; may we seek forgiveness rather than vengeance; may we honor humility and selflessness as well as success and achievement; may we insist on compassion and justice

regardless of the cost. Hear these prayers we offer, O God, in the name of your Son,

our Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024q, October 20). Twenty-ninth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm

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

The Word today, W29B

October 21 - October 26, 2024

Monday 21 October

Ephesians 2:1-10 Our reading contrasts our life apart from faith and our life now in Jesus. There is a great reminder of just who we are in the phrase “you are God’s work of art” (JB).

Luke 12:13-21 There is a prayer in the psalms which runs, “Lord make us know the shortness of our life.” Usually, we need no reminding, but, as we heart the Gospel, sometimes we do, as we listen to Jesus, the teaching of wisdom.

Tuesday 22 October

St John Paul II, bishop of Rome

Ephesians 2:12-22 It might seem that the concerns of this reading are confined to the first century: the communion of Jews and Gentiles in Christ. It is much greater than that: God was reaching out to all of humanity without distinction, showing us how much he loves us.

Luke 12:35-38 Parables of watchfulness are not uncommon but this one contains a major role reversal: the master will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on his own slaves. The story of the washing of the feet in John’s Gospel comes to mind as does another sentence from Jesus: “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45).

Wednesday 23 October

St John of Capistrano, priest

Ephesians 3:2-12 Sometimes, we can be so at home in the faith that a sense of wonder and transcendence may no longer be present. Our reading today should restore our feelings of awe before the mystery of our life in Christ.

Luke 12:39-48 The Gospel reading—from the “gentle” Luke—is both comforting and uncomfortable. It is comforting: fidelity will be rewarded. It is uncomfortable: there are consequence to our choices. Originally, it was aimed at disciples who had become complacent about God’s mercy. This may well be a risk to day as well.

Thursday 24 October

St Antony Mary Claret, bishop

Ephesians 3:14-21 The writer bursts into prayer—and what a prayer! The reading lifts up our eyes from the everyday to see just how marvellous our life in Christ really is.

Luke 12:49-53 There is a strange juxtaposition of images at the start of this Gospel: fire and water. Fire points to purification and judgement, part of the tradition proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Water points to Jesus’ own role in the coming of that Kingdom. The verses which follow reflect early Christian experience When a family member become a disciple, often this created difficulties with society in general and family in particular. This is becoming the case again today.

Friday 25 October

Ephesians 4:1-6 Even in earliest Christianity, conflict was the normal experience. Normal doesn’t mean acceptable and so the advice given here applies today as much as ever before.

Luke 12:54-59 The first part of today’s short Gospel is a clear invitation to read the signs of the times and not to miss the moment of grace. The second part is more of a puzzle. Why did Jesus talk about taking your opponent to court? Firstly, it does reflect culture of Palestine at the time. Secondly, it teaching that now is the time to accept the gift of reconciliation already achieved in Jesus.

Saturday 26 October

Ephesians 4:7-16 What does it mean to be part of the body of Christ? It means enjoying the different gifts so that flourishing individually we may grow in love.

Luke 13:1-9 Again, we have a reading in two parts. The first part is severe warning: you cannot tell when you life will end. We know this for our own experience of the unpredictable. The second part is a parable of “second chance.” Again, it does speak of a second opportunity, but now is the time. See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024q, October 20). Twenty-ninth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102024.cfm

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