25th Sunday of the Year (b)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Sunday 23rd September: 25th Sunday of the Year. (B)
The first reading is from the Book of Wisdom. The people who do not believe in God plot the downfall of those good people who do try to live by God’s law. They want to see the death of good and virtuous people.
In the second reading, from the Letter of St. James, he recognises that whenever there is external conflict, turmoil or division, the reason for it can be found in peoples’ hearts, in each individual’s heart.
In the Gospel from St. Mark, the disciples shows themselves to be very human as they argue about who is the greatest amongst themselves. Jesus uses the opportunity to teach them the way of true discipleship, using a small child as his visual aid.
Monday 24th September: Monday of the 25th week of the year.
We turn to the Old Testament for the next series of readings. The first reading is from the Book of Proverbs. Some of these were from the sayings of Solomon – the wise son of David. We are reminded never to refuse kindness, never to plot harm and never to pick a quarrel. The virtuous will receive many blessings.
Jesus continues his parables. We are reminded we are called to witness to the world the faith we have received and not to keep it to ourselves.
Tuesday 25th September: Tuesday of the 25th week of the year.
We have another collection of sayings from the Book of Proverbs. Perhaps the key section today is that section which tells us that ‘to act virtuously and with justice is more pleasing to the Lord than sacrifice.’
Jesus relatives come looking for him and he uses the opportunity to teach that all who follow him are members of his family, all are his brothers and sisters.
Wednesday 26th September: Wednesday of the 25th week of the year.
We have, today, the third and final extract from the Book of Proverbs. It stresses that God can only be known through faith and not by reason alone. We need to use and develop both faith and reason in our lives to grow in our relationship with God.
Having spent time with them and prayed with them Jesus no sends the apostles out to carry on his work and in his name. They wire to be proclaimers of the Good news.
Thursday 27th September: Memorial of St. Vincent de Paul.
Vincent was born in Gascogny in France in 1580. He was ordained a priest and eventually settled in Paris where he spent the rest of his life, looking after the poor. In 1633, he gathered a group of like-minded men around him, which would become the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). Along with Louise de Marillac he founded the Daughters of Charity who engaged in works of charity and care among the poor also. They preached parish missions and worked in the seminaries. Vincent died in 1660. He is venerated as the patron of all charitable societies.
Friday 28th September:
The first reading is from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. The words are very familiar since they were made into a song. It is a reminder of how little the human mind can understand of God’s ways. They are too much for us to grasp in their entirety.
The Gospel repeats a recent Sunday Gospel when the apostles are asked about their understanding of who Jesus is. Eventually Peter proclaims Jesus to be ‘The Christ of God.’
Saturday 29th September: Feast of Sts. Michael, Gabriel and Raphael.
Today is a feast celebrating the care God has for each one of us. Traditionally, we believe that angels are his messengers to us. Michael means ‘who is like God’ and is regarded as the guardian angel of the People of God; Gabriel means ‘God’s power. Raphael means ‘God’s healing.’
Always remember there are two types of people in this world.
Those who come into a room and say, “Well, here I am!”
and those who come in and say,
“Ah, there you are!”