30th Sunday of the Year (a)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (a)
Weekdays – Year 1
Sunday 29th October: Thirtieth Sunday of the Year. (a)
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 30th 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 31st October: Tuesday of the 30th week of the year.
St. Paul continues about the suffering we share with Christ. It is nothing compared to the glory that awaits us. Therefore, we should be filled with real hope.
The parable used today reminds us how the Kingdom of God begins in a very small way but grows to have a great influence.
Wednesday 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.
Thursday 2nd November: The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed.
All Souls’Day
As far back as the seventh century, it was the custom to set aside a day for prayers for those who have died. It was a Benedictine Abbot, St. Odilo, who set it on November 2nd following the lead of St. Augustine. He stressed the need of praying for the dead outside their actual anniversary since they needed our prayers to reach heaven
Friday 3rd November: Friday of the 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.
For the second time in the course of this week, there is an example of Jesus healing on the Sabbath. It highlights the continuing lack of faith in the scribes and Pharisees lives. This also causes Jesus great sadness.
Saturday 4th November: Memorial of St. Charles Borremeo
Charles was born in Arona, near Lake Maggiore in Italy. At the age of 21 he graduated with degrees in both civil and Canon Law. He was ordained a priest at the age of 24 and then called to Rome to serve in the Vatican. He was created a Cardinal and became Archbishop of Milan. He played a major part in the final session of the Council of Trent in 1562.He made many enemies as a result of his condemnation of the abuses within the Roman curia. However, in Milan, he established seminaries (which was a major innovation), personally preached and catechised everywhere, gave to the poor and cared for the sick. He died, worn out by his efforts, in 1584 at the age of 46.
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.
