31st Sunday of the Year (c)
Ordinary Season of the Year. (c)
Weekdays – Year 2
Sunday 30th October: 31st Sunday of the Year. (c)
The first reading is from the Book of Wisdom. The theme is God’s power and mercy. Because of his love for the whole of creation, His compassion towards us is infinite.
The second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians. Paul prays that God will make them worthy of his call and keep them committed to the new life of Christ. He urges them to live at peace and allow the Lord to bring to completion his goodness in them.
The Gospel tells how, crowded out by so many people, Zacchaeus finds a space so that he can see Jesus and then when Jesus sees his efforts, Zacchaeus’ life is turned upside down. He sees the error of his ways and resolves to change.
Monday 31st October: Monday of 31st week of the year.
We continue this week with extracts from St. Paul’s Letter to the Philippians.
St. Paul reminds us that all selfishness and ambition must be avoided if we truly to be united in Christ.
In the Gospel, Jesus continues in the vein of Saturday’s Gospel. Don’t let ambition and pride make you think you are better than the person next to you.
Tuesday 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.
Wednesday 2nd November: The Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed. (All Souls).
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
Thursday 3rd November: Thursday of the 31st week of the year.
The Philippians are warned not to become wrapped up in mere externals. Paul reminds them that he knows all about the Jewish faith and its tradition before he became a follower of Jesus.
Following on his teaching about discipleship, Jesus talks about those who for whatever reason turn away and are lost. There will be great rejoicing when they are reunited.
Friday 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.
Saturday 5th November: Saturday of the 31st week of the year
St. Paul concludes his letter with some personal greetings to the few people he knew in Rome. It ends with another great hymn of praise to God.
The major obstacle to the true following of Jesus, in Luke’s view, is money. The lesson on how to use it follows on. Aware of the injustices and imbalances in our world, the gospel challenges us to be careful and use the goods of this world correctly. We are to make sure they do not become our master or tempt us away from our following of Christ.
We pray that the prayers of all the saints will bring us your forgiveness and love.
We praise you O God and honour all your holy ones.
We ask the help of those men, women and children who struggled against evil and
stood firm,
who loved and served one another,
who worked for justice and peace,
who healed the sick and fed the hungry,
who preached the Good News in season and out of season,
who suffered and died for you.
Make us and all those we love worthy to be called your saints.
Eternal Rest
Grant unto them
O Lord
And
Let perpetual light
shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.
Amen.
