27th Sunday of the Year (b)
Sunday 7th October: 27th Sunday of the Year. (B)
The first reading is from the Book of Genesis. In this book, there are two accounts of creation and it is the second we hear from today. We are taught that man and woman are meant to be together. Marriage is seen as meeting the human need for companionship and equality. Man and woman are no longer two but one.
The second reading is from the Letter to the Hebrews. This was written about 80 a.d. to show the people of the time that Jesus fulfilled the hopes and needs of Jew and Greek alike. He is a servant of all.
In the Gospel, Jesus instructs his followers about family life. He repeats the teaching given in Genesis. The marriage bond comes from God and is therefore indissoluble.
Monday 8th October: Monday of the 27th week of the year.
Today we begin to listen to St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He had visited the community and was disappointed and surprised they had been led astray by the false preachers who had appeared in their midst. They tried to insist the Christians still had to live by the Law of the Jews. Paul now begins to explain the error of this teaching. Listen to what you have been told by me and put it into practice he tells them.
The lawyers were always trying to trick Jesus. They interpreted ‘love your neighbour’ as being applied only to Jews. The parable of the Good Samaritan shows otherwise.
Tuesday 9th October: Tuesday of the 27th week of the year.
Today Paul speaks of his own authority and draws on the fact that he was initially a zealous Jew. He gives details of his own conversion and the time he spent in preparing to be an apostle.
Jesus reminds us how important it is to take time to be in Christ’s presence so that our lives may be enriched and our faith deepened.
Wednesday 10th October: Wednesday of the 27th week of the year.
Paul talks further of his own experience. He went to Jerusalem where he came under great pressure and even opposed some of Peter’s teaching.
Yesterday we were told of the need to make time. Today Jesus gives an example of how to pray – the Lord’s Prayer.
Thursday 11th October: Thursday of the 27th week of the year.
Paul is angry with the Galatians. They want the best of both worlds but he reminds them they have committed themselves to Christ and must remain true to that commitment.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues his lesson on prayer. To be real prayer it has to be trusting and persevering. If we have faith, we should not hesitate to ask.
Friday 12th October: Friday of the 27th week of the year.
Paul is still arguing against the Judaisers. He reminds them that Abraham became the Father of the Chosen people through faith and not through the Law that didn’t exist then. It was through Christ that the pagans received the blessings of Abraham.
Jesus continues his teaching on the need for prayer. From prayer you will get the strength to fight the evil that is all around us. The power of God will be there to help us.
Saturday 13th October: Saturday of the 27th week of the year.
Paul stresses that there is no distinction between gentile and Jew in following Christ. We have all put on Christ.
Jesus presents us with another special lesson. We will be truly blessed if we hear the word of God, keep it and put it into action.
God is the source and strength of all love.
May he bless our families
With happiness and faithfulness.
Amen
May he bless our communities
With unity and peace
And make us one heart and one soul.
Amen.
May he give to all of us
A love that brings out the best
In each other.
Amen.
May God bless you all
And keep his love alive
in you.
Amen.
