32nd Sunday of the Year (c)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 6th November: 32nd Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the 2nd Book of Maccabees. The seven brothers who are to be martyred are examples of the faith that has been passed on to them by their mother and their ancestors. They show courage in the face of suffering and remain loyal to God’s law and belief in the Resurrection.
St. Paul, writing in his 2nd Letter to the Thessalonians, urges the people to have faith and find comfort in the love that has been shown to them.
The Gospel passage, from St. Luke, tells of the Sadducees trying again to trap Jesus. Again Jesus faces opposition to his work and his teaching, as happens all through his public life. The efforts of the Sadducees result in Jesus preaching about the resurrection.
Monday 7th November: Monday of 32nd week of the year.
The first reading comes from the Letter of St. Paul to Titus. It is often referred to as one of the ‘Pastoral Epistles.’ It seems to have been written to the Christians in Crete who were facing huge difficulties in remaining loyal to the teaching of Christ because of the lifestyles of those around them. Paul begins by outlining the qualities that Titus must shows in his life.
The Gospel passage warns us of the danger of causing scandal. Deepening our faith and learning how to forgive are key to this.
Tuesday 8th November: Memorial of Blessed John Duns Scotus.
John Duns Scotus was born in Duns, Berwickshire in 1265. He was a frequent visitor to the Cistercian Abbey at Melrose as he grew up. When he was fifteen, he entered the Franciscan novitiate at Dumfries before finally being ordained in 1291. He then began a series of journeys between England and France to further his studies. He taught in Oxford and Cambridge for about four years before returning to Paris where he came to be called the ‘Marian Doctor’ after defending what is now known as the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception. He did this in spite of opposition from the academic body of Paris University He was sent then to Cologne where he lectured until his death in 1308. His tomb is in Cologne Cathedral. He was beatified in 1992 by Pope John Paul. He was the patron of the National Seminary in Scotland before its closure.
Wednesday 9th November: Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica.
This is the Cathedral church of Rome where the Pope has a permanent ‘cathedra’ or throne. It has a long history going back to the Emperor Constantine and is dedicated to the Most Holy Saviour. In celebrating the anniversary of its dedication, we proclaim our union with and love for the Church of Rome – the ‘mother and head of all the churches.’
Thursday 10th November: Feast of St. Leo the Great.
Leo was probably born in Tuscany and was educated in Rome. He was outstanding as a theologian, statesman, pastor and administrator. He became Pope in 440. His clear teaching on the doctrine of the Incarnation at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 placed him among the greatest fathers and doctors of the Church. He did not have a peaceful pontificate. More than once Rome was threatened with destruction by the barbarian armies. He died in 461.
Friday 11th November: Memorial of St. Martin of Tours.
He was born around 316 in Northern Italy and was conscripted into the army at an early age. He gave up a military career, was baptised and became a priest, founding a monastery in France. In 371, he was elected Bishop of Tours, living a very simple and austere life and making a point of visiting all the parishes in his diocese. He did much to spread the Gospel in fourth century Europe. He died in 397.
Saturday 12th November: Memorial of St. Josaphat.
Josaphat was born in the Ukraine in 1580 and belonged to the Orthodox Church. He became a catholic, was ordained and became Bishop of Polock where he worked tirelessly to strengthen the union of his province of Kiev with the Holy See. He was met both with success and with suspicion, some of it coming from Catholics. He was murdered by his enemies in 1623, a martyr to Christian unity.
