The Word today, W29B
- Admin
- Oct 18, 2024
- 3 min read
October 21 - October 26, 2024
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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/
Comments