28th Sunday of the Year (c)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 9th October: 28th Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the second Book of the Kings. Naaman was a powerful man, a commander in the Syrian army. As such he was a gentile, a non Jew. He contracted leprosy and as a result of following the advice of Elisha he is cured. As ha result he acknowledges the God of Israel as the one true God.
The second reading continues the passages from St. Paul’s second Letter to Timothy. He warns him of the difficulties and hardships he will encounter as he tries to carry out his role as a disciple. He reminds him, that through Baptism, the obligation of perseverance and faithfulness is laid upon him.
The Gospel passage is from St. Luke. It is the moving story of ten lepers being cured but only one, a Samaritan, a non Jew, returning to give thanks. It highlights how Jesus reaches out to all races. His love cannot be constrained.
Monday 10th October: Monday of 28th week of the year.
Over the next few weeks the first reading comes from one of St. Paul’s most challenging letter –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 11th October: Tuesday of 28th week of the year.
St. Paul writing to the Galatians, reminds them that Jesus freed us meant us to remain free. This freedom, in faith, makes its power felt through love.
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 12th October: Wednesday of 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 13th October: Thursday of 28th week of the year.
The first reading today changes to the Letter to the Ephesians. Many consider this letter to be St. Paul’s greatest. It is believed he wrote it while in prison. He focuses about God’s dealings with his people. As we work through the letter three images are used – the head and the body, the key stone (cornerstone) and the temple and the relationship of husband and wife. Paul used all these to teach about the relationship of Jesus to his people and his church.
Jesus’ teaching on hypocrisy is widened to cover all hypocrisy. It is never right. He shows, in his life, how things should be.
Friday 14th October: Friday of 28th week of the year.
Paul continues his description of all that God has done for us. As a result, we should offer praise and thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
Again, the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees comes under attack. Jesus now begins to teach the disciples that they too must be on guard against the hypocrisy which is evident all around them.
Saturday 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.
God the source and strength of all love.
May he bless our families
With happiness and faithfulness.
Amen
May he bless our communities
With unity and peace
And make us one heart and one soul.
Amen.
May he give to all of us
A love that brings out the best
In each other.
Amen.
May God bless you all
And keep his love alive
in you.
Amen.
