The Word today, 30C
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- Oct 25
- 3 min read
October 27 - November 01, 2025
St Ottaran, monk
Romans 8:12-17 Abba Father is not that frequent in the New Testament. Paul uses it hear to remind his hearers of their own practice of prayer and thus bolster his persuasion.
Luke 13:10-17 The story of the woman bent double is a great story (strangely not read on Sundays). It has lots of potential at a metaphorical level. The argument used by Jesus to “excuse” his healing on the Sabbath is irrefutable.
Sts Simon and Jude, apostles
Ephesians 2:19-22 Our reading opens up a fundamental question: what or who are we as Christian believers? Using a building metaphor, the identikit is rich, to say the least.
Luke 6:12-16 Luke makes it plain that Jesus prayed before the choice and appointment of the Twelve. It is important to note that the Twelve function, in the ministry of Jesus, as a prophetic action, underscoring Jesus’ programme which was the restoration of Israel. Cf. “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 15:24 NRSV) By the time Luke is writing the restriction to the Jewish people of Jesus’ ministry was already in the distant past.
St Colman, bishop
Romans 8:26-30 The very first sentence of this reading is very consoling and often remembered. In the next few lines, Paul expands and explores the opening conviction.
Luke 13:22-30 The teaching is this Gospel is meant to be disturbing — disturbing to people who feel somehow complacent about “being saved”. The original context may be found in the ministry of Jesus but at Luke’s level the message is aimed at how own contemporaries.
Romans 8:31-39 The great chapter 8 of Romans ends very poetically and powerfully. Difficult experience is still present, but subsumed into an exultant affirmation of faith.
Luke 13:31-35 Jesus is on “the way” towards Jerusalem, in Luke’s symbolic worlds, towards the fulfilment of his mission and identity. The reading bring together courage and single-mindedness, as well as a touch poignancy about what might have been. The ingathering of Israel was a great theme of the prophets and here is the theme of the prophet Jesus.
Bl Dominic Collins, martyr
Romans 9:1-5 In Romans 9-11, Paul embarks on the deepest reflection in the New Testament on the “no” of most of his co-religionists to Jesus. The split between Jews and Christians was already tragically apparent. It also cost Paul a great deal as we hear in this heartfelt confession.
Luke 14:1-6 It is a curiosity of Luke’s Gospel that Jesus eats just as frequently with Pharisees as with sinners. In today’s Gospel, the question of healing on the Sabbath comes to the fore. Jesus’ illustration powerful…if its okay to rescue an animal.
All Saints (see full notes)
Apocalypse 7:2-4, 9-14 Even with some unfamiliar imagery, our reading is a great one for the feast. It holds out a powerful vision of paradise, beyond the struggles of this life.
1 John 3:1-3 Who am I? Who are we? In plain words a deep account is given of who we all are in the love of God.
Matthew 5:1-12 It can be hard to “hear” so familiar a reading. Perhaps there is a word or a feeling which matches my present experience?
References
-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025cn, October 26). Thirtieth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/102625.cfm
-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings
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