29th Sunday of the Year (a)
This Week’s Liturgy Calendar.
Ordinary Season of the Year. (a)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 19th October: Twenty-Ninth Sunday of the Year. (a)
The first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah. It tells of the return of the people from exile, something that was made possible by King Cyrus. This is seen as a sign of God’s love for his people and of his lordship over all peoples.
St. Paul, writing to the Thessalonians, talks of his concern for the Christian community based there. He recalls how the Gospel came to them not only as words but also as power and the Holy Spirit.
In the Gospel, there is a story of an effort by the enemies of Jesus to trap him into saying something incriminating. He makes clear, however, the distinction between our duty to God on the one hand and to earthly rulers on the other. We should fulfil both.
Monday 20th October: Monday of the 29th week of the year. All the first readings for the ordinary days of this week come from the Letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians. It is easier to understand it if we try to put ourselves in the place of the Ephesians. We were following the way of the world, we were in sin and this diluted our values, ideals and principles. God, however, was generous in his mercy to us, not through any work on our part but due to his love and goodness. Now we are God’s work of art.
The Gospel reminds us to be ever prepared for meeting Christ since ‘ as we live so shall we die.’ If we store up treasures in heaven, we will be prepared in the correct way.
Tuesday 21st October: Tuesday of the 29th week of the year.
St. Paul develops his thinking. The people were once without hope, immersed in a world without God. Now through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus we have been saved and made one with Jesus.
The Gospel repeats the message of being ready for the call of the Lord.
Wednesday 22nd October: Wednesday of the 29th week of the year.
St. Paul talks of his own unworthiness and surprise that God chose him to be an apostle. Therefore, he proclaims the message he has been given – you are all parts of one body.
Again, we reminded that we must be ready for the call of the Lord. – he will come when least expected so we must be ready at all times.
Thursday 23rd October: Thursday of the 29th week of the year.
Paul continues to stress that through Baptism, we become slaves of Christ. Therefore, we should never say or do anything to betray that relationship in our day-to-day lives.
The Gospel passage reveals Jesus stressing the difficulties that will be encountered for the true follower of Christ. It will be difficult and may even divide families.
Friday 24th October: Friday of 29th Week of the year.
St. Paul urges his readers to live a life worthy of their calling as a member of the body of Christ, united with Christ as the head.
Jesus warns his readers about judging others. Try to read the signs and interpret the times.
Saturday 25th October: Saturday of 29th week of the year.
St. Paul reminds how we are parts of the mystical body each called to use the gifts we have been given to build up the body of Christ. If we live in truth and love then we all grow in Christ.
We hear again a familiar message in the Gospel passage – repent and turn again to Jesus. Just as the fig tree is given another chance so will we.
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.
