28th Sunday of the Year (b)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (b)
Weekdays – Year 1
Sunday 11th October: 28th Sunday of the Year. (b)
The first reading is from the Book of Wisdom. It is a reflection on the gift of wisdom itself, presented as the greatest gift anyone could receive. It is a most precious gift from God.
The second reading continues the series from the Letter to the Hebrews. God’s word is powerful It can penetrate to the deepest recesses of our being. It cuts through us and exposes what is wrong.
The Gospel passage presents a demanding word on wealth and discipleship. The rich young man seeks a simple way of entering heaven, since money is no problem to him. Jesus tells him money itself is a problem but then reassures him that God can save us all whatever wealth we may have.
Monday 12th October: Monday of the 28th week of the year
Over the next few weeks, the first reading comes from one of St. Paul’s most challenging letters – the Letter to the Romans. In the introduction today, Paul presents his credentials as an apostle. He stresses how he was specially chosen to bring the Good News about Jesus the Son of God who died and rose again for our sins.
Reminding his listeners of the story of Jonah, which we heard last week, Jesus challenges the lack of faith and the immoral living of the people. There is someone greater for them to listen to and accept but they refuse.
Tuesday 13th October: Tuesday of the 28th week of the year.
St. Paul gets down to business. All people need salvation, Jews as well as Gentiles. Without faith, people live in sin and this is shown in the life styles they adopt. This must change.
The Pharisees attack Jesus again, and he, in turn, rejects their legalism and their hypocrisy. They, above all people, should not be living lives with double standards.
Wednesday 14th October: Wednesday of the 28th week of the year.
Paul is now into the detail of his Letter to the Romans. All of us need salvation because all of us are sinners. So it is important that we do not judge others. The reward of eternal life will be given by God to those who are trying to do good.
Jesus continues his attack on the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and the lawyers. This theme is reflected in the Gospel readings of the next few days.
Thursday 15th October: Memorial of St. Teresa of Jesus. (Avila)
St. Teresa was born in 1515 and her devotion to prayer began with her childhood studies of the lives of the saints. More or less against her father’s wishes, she entered the Carmelite Convent in Avila when she was about twenty. As a result of illness she had to return home but later returned to the convent where she began to devote herself to an intense life of prayer. The convent had relaxed rules that she thought were too relaxed and so she set about reforming them. Many of the sisters did not want to change and she experienced many challenges and difficulties over the years. Despite this, she founded seventeen new convents during her lifetime. She died in 1582.
Friday 16th October: Friday of the 28th week of the year.
Paul continues to develop his thoughts on the fact that we are justified through faith and not because of our efforts. Faith must come first. The example of the faith of Abraham is put before us.
After his outburst, Jesus returns to his own disciples and warns them of the trials and difficulties that they will encounter. They will experience the same opposition and persecution. They must be fearless and trust in God, their Father.
Saturday 17th October: Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch.
St. Ignatius was bishop of Antioch in Syria. Towards the beginning of the second century, he was taken as prisoner to Rome where he suffered martyrdom in the year 107. On his journey to Rome, he visited some communities and wrote letters to the Christian communities in Asia Minor warning them to be on guard against the heretics and urging them to remain united in faith.
The light of God
Surrounds us;
The love of God
Enfolds us;
The power of God
Protects us;
The presence of God
Protects us;
The presence of God
Watches over us;
Wherever we are,
God is,
And all is well.
