30th Sunday of the Year (a)
Liturgical Calendar
Ordinary Season of the Year. (a)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 26th October: Thirtieth Sunday of the Year. (a)
Where there is oppression, hunger, injustice, the voice of the Lord may be heard proclaiming the Good news. On this Mission Sunday, we remember God’s reaching out to us in Jesus and dedicate ourselves to reaching out to the world with that same selflessness.
The first reading is from the Book of Exodus. Our shared humanity requires us to act justly towards each other in daily life. Compassion asks that we take a step beyond mere justice. The people of Israel are commanded to be just, merciful and compassionate.
The Thessalonians listened, learned and accepted the Good news from the hands and lips of St. Paul. The depth of their own conviction proclaimed the reality of their faith. This example of faith lived in daily life is the first form of Mission. Life lived in Christ moves faith into active love.
The Pharisees raise the age-old question about the greatest commandment. Jesus’ response is to ask them to look into their own hearts for the answer. His mission was and still is to teach us how to love God and make that love a reality in the life of the world. If we look into our own hearts what will we find ?
Monday 27th October: Monday of the 30th week of the year. St. Paul sets very high standards for those who read his words. They are called to be imitators of God. The followers of Christ were to set new standards in a world which living by immoral standards.
In the Gospel, we read of the healing power of Jesus, a healing that is both physical and spiritual. On the other hand, we read of the hypocrisy of the synagogue official. All the Gospel readings this week centre around one basic theme – sincerity and humility as the hallmark of the true child of Jesus.
Tuesday 28th October: Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude.
Very little is known about these two apostles. Simon was called the zealous apostle and, according to tradition, he preached in Egypt. Jude was also called Thaddeus and, again according to tradition, joined Simon when he came back from Egypt and both went to preach in Persia where they were martyred. His name is associated with one of the letters in the New Testament.
Wednesday 29th October: Wednesday of the 30th week of the year.
The Christian faith did a lot for women but did even more for children. Paul highlights the links between father, mother, husband, wife, parents and children in this section of his letter.
We are reminded, in the Gospel, that many will try to come into the Kingdom but will find it very difficult. Just saying we know Jesus is not enough. We have to do his works.
Thursday 30th October: Thursday of the 30th week of the year.
We reach the end of the series of readings from the Letter to the Ephesians. Paul is in prison. He compares this with the armour the follower of Christ must put on ready to preach the Gospel in all circumstances and above he stresses the need to prayer.
In the Gospel, we hear of Jesus’ great sadness about Jerusalem. It is a city of which he is very proud, a city that lies at the heart of his tradition and history. Its people have closed their ears to his message and refuse to accept him.
Friday 31st October: Friday of 30th week of the year.
We begin a series of readings from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians whom Paul visited during his second missionary journey. He had to escape after a storm of persecution and illegal imprisonment and it is thought he wrote this letter from prison in Rome. The opening follows the traditional style of Paul’s letter but is less formal than usual. It sets an encouraging tone.
Saturday 1st November: Solemnity of All Saints.
This feast is probably Celtic in origin. It is a feast which enables us to venerate those many saints who have not been formally canonised nor included in the Church’s calendar. They are often known as ‘the anonymous saints.’ These may well include people we have known and loved in our own lives. We are linked with them in the Communion of Saints as they now intercede for us before God.
This year this feast is not a Holy day of Obligation
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.
