Wednesday
of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 481
Lectionary: 481
Children,
obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.
Honor your father and mother.
This is the first commandment with a promise,
that it may go well with you
and that you may have a long life on earth.
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger,
but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling,
in sincerity of heart, as to Christ,
not only when being watched, as currying favor,
but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
willingly serving the Lord and not men,
knowing that each will be requited from the Lord
for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.
Masters, act in the same way towards them, and stop bullying,
knowing that both they and you have a Master in heaven
and that with him there is no partiality.
Responsorial
PsalmPS
145:10-11, 12-13AB, 13CD-14
R.
(13c) The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your Kingdom
and speak of your might.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
Making known to men your might
and the glorious splendor of your Kingdom.
Your Kingdom is a Kingdom for all ages,
and your dominion endures through all generations.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
The LORD is faithful in all his words
and holy in all his works.
The LORD lifts up all who are falling
and raises up all who are bowed down.
R. The Lord is faithful in all his words.
AlleluiaSEE 2 THES
2:14
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelLK 13:22-30
Jesus
passed through towns and villages,
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."
teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.
Someone asked him,
"Lord, will only a few people be saved?"
He answered them,
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter
but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door,
then will you stand outside knocking and saying,
'Lord, open the door for us.'
He will say to you in reply,
'I do not know where you are from.'
And you will say,
'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'
Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from.
Depart from me, all you evildoers!'
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth
when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob
and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God
and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west
and from the north and the south
and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God.
For behold, some are last who will be first,
and some are first who will be last."
Meditation: Do
not risk being shut out
What
does the image of a door say to us about the kingdom of God? Jesus' story about
the door being shut to those who come too late suggests they had offended their
host and deserved to be excluded. It was customary for teachers in Jesus' time
to close the door on tardy students and not allow them back for a whole week in
order to teach them a lesson in discipline and faithfulness.
Who
will be invited to enter God's kingdom?
Jesus told this story in response to the question of who will make it to heaven - to God's kingdom of everlasting peace and eternal life. Many rabbis held that all Israel would be saved and gain entry into God's kingdom, except for a few blatant sinners who excluded themselves! After all, they were specially chosen by God when he established a covenant relationship with them.
Jesus told this story in response to the question of who will make it to heaven - to God's kingdom of everlasting peace and eternal life. Many rabbis held that all Israel would be saved and gain entry into God's kingdom, except for a few blatant sinners who excluded themselves! After all, they were specially chosen by God when he established a covenant relationship with them.
Jesus
surprised his listeners by saying that one's membership as a people who have
entered into a covenant relationship with God does not automatically mean entry
into the everlasting kingdom of God. Second, Jesus asserts that many from the
Gentile (non-Jewish) nations would enter God's kingdom. God's invitation is
open to Jew and Gentile alike.
Jesus
is the door to the kingdom of heaven
But Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door. What did Jesus mean by this expression? The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved (John 10:9). God sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to open the way for us to have full access to the throne of God's grace (his favor and blessing) and mercy (his pardon for our sins). Through Jesus' victory on the cross he has freed us from slavery to sin and hurtful desires and addictions, and he has made us sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom. We are free now to choose which kingdom we will serve - the kingdom of light and truth ruled by God's justice and wisdom or the kingdom of darkness and falsehood ruled by Satan and a world system or society of people who are opposed to God and his laws.
But Jesus warns that we can be excluded if we do not strive to enter by the narrow door. What did Jesus mean by this expression? The door which Jesus had in mind was himself. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved (John 10:9). God sent his only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to open the way for us to have full access to the throne of God's grace (his favor and blessing) and mercy (his pardon for our sins). Through Jesus' victory on the cross he has freed us from slavery to sin and hurtful desires and addictions, and he has made us sons and daughters of God and citizens of his heavenly kingdom. We are free now to choose which kingdom we will serve - the kingdom of light and truth ruled by God's justice and wisdom or the kingdom of darkness and falsehood ruled by Satan and a world system or society of people who are opposed to God and his laws.
Following
the Lord requires effort and commitment on our part
If we want to enter God's kingdom and receive our full inheritance which is stored up for us in heaven, then we must follow the Lord Jesus in his way of the cross through a willing renunciation of our own will for his will - our own life for his life - our own way for his way.
If we want to enter God's kingdom and receive our full inheritance which is stored up for us in heaven, then we must follow the Lord Jesus in his way of the cross through a willing renunciation of our own will for his will - our own life for his life - our own way for his way.
Why
did Jesus say we must strive to enter his kingdom of
righteousness and peace? The word strive can also be
translated as agony. To enter the kingdom of God we must struggle
against every force or power of opposition - even the temptation to remain
indifferent, apathetic, or compromising in our faith and personal trust in
Jesus, our hope in holding firm to the promises of Jesus, and our
uncompromising love for God above all else (the "love that has been poured
into our hearts through the gift of the Spirit which has been given to us"
- Romans 5:5).
The
Lord is with us to strengthen us in our trials and struggles
The good news is that we do not struggle alone. God is with us and his grace is sufficient! As we strive side by side for the faith of the Gospel with the help and support of our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Philippians 1:27), Jesus assures us of complete victory! Do you trust in God's grace and help, especially in times of testing and temptation?
The good news is that we do not struggle alone. God is with us and his grace is sufficient! As we strive side by side for the faith of the Gospel with the help and support of our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Philippians 1:27), Jesus assures us of complete victory! Do you trust in God's grace and help, especially in times of testing and temptation?
"Lord
Jesus, may I never doubt your guiding presence and your merciful love towards
me. Through the gift of your Spirit fill me with courage and persevering faith
to trust you in all things and in every circumstance I find myself. Give me the
strength to cling to your promises when the world around me begins to shake or
crumble. And when my love and zeal begin to waver, fan into my heart a flame of
consuming love and dedication for you who are my All."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: To enter the narrow door, by Cyril of
Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"'Wide
is the door, and broad the way that brings down many to destruction.' What are
we to understand by its broadness? ...A stubborn mind will not bow to the yoke
of the law [the commandments of God]. This life is cursed and relaxed in all
carelessness. Thrusting from it the divine law and completely unmindful of the
sacred commandments, wealth, vices, scorn, pride and the empty imagination of
earthly pride spring from it. Those who would enter in by the narrow door must
withdraw from all these things, be with Christ and keep the festival with
him." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 99)
WEDNESDAY,
OCTOBER 31, LUKE 13:22-30
Weekday
(Ephesians 6:1-9; Psalm 145)
Weekday
(Ephesians 6:1-9; Psalm 145)
KEY VERSE: "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able" (v. 24).
TO KNOW: As Jesus traveled on his journey toward his passion in Jerusalem, someone asked him, "Lord, are those who are to be saved few in number?" (Lk 13:23). The assumption was that the kingdom of God was for the Jews and that the Gentiles would be shut out. Jesus shocked his questioner by saying that the door to the kingdom was narrow and would not remain open indefinitely. He stressed the urgency of God's call. He said that many would put off their conversion until it was too late. After the master had locked the door, they would beg to enter, but they would hear the Lord pronounce the dreadful words: "I do not know you!" Those faithless ones would be cast out, while the faithful would be welcomed from the four corners of the earth to share fellowship with the saints of old. Although the Gentiles were called last, they would take precedence over the ones who were called first, but had rejected the invitation.
TO LOVE: Am I over-confident that Jesus will welcome me into his reign?
TO SERVE: Lord Jesus, help me to be converted to your will each day.
HALLOWEEN
-- "All Hallows"
The word "Halloween" comes from the words "All Hallow's Eve," literally, the evening before the "Feast of All Saints.” According to many scholars, All Hallows' Eve is a Christianized feast initially influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, with possible pagan roots. Typical festive Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, decorating, carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing, and visiting haunted attractions.
A woman was asked, "What is it like to be a Christian?" She replied, "It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in and washes all of the dirt off of you. Then God cuts off the top and scoops out all the seeds of doubt, hate and greed, and replaces them with seeds of faith, hope and love. Then God carves a smiling face and His light shines inside of you for all of the world to see.
Wednesday 31 October 2018
St
Alphonsus Rodriguez.
Ephesians
6:1-9. Psalm 144(145):10-14. Luke 13:22-30.
The
Lord is faithful in all his words – Psalm 144(145):10-14.
‘Try
your best to enter by the narrow door.’
Responding
to a question about who will be saved, Jesus challenges and unsettles his
listeners by insisting that their claim to be God’s specially chosen people is
of little account if they themselves do not live out a choice for God. A
covenant is a two-way process. Jesus tells them that those who reject his
teaching will find their ‘reserved’ places at table in God’s kingdom occupied
by the Gentiles they presume to despise.
St
Alphonsus Rodriguez, a long-time doorkeeper at the Jesuit college in Majorca,
is one we can seek to emulate. ‘I’m coming, Lord!’ he would say to himself when
someone came knocking. Welcoming others as Christ is a sure way to enter the
narrow door.
Saint Wolfgang
of Regensburg
Saint
of the Day for October 31
(c.
924 – August 31, 994)
 |
| Statue of Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg | main altar, Parish church in Metnitz | Raul de Chissota |
Saint Wolfgang
of Regensburg’s Story
Wolfgang
was born in Swabia, Germany, and was educated at a school located at the abbey
of Reichenau. There he encountered Henry, a young noble who went on to become
Archbishop of Trier. Meanwhile, Wolfgang remained in close contact with the
archbishop, teaching in his cathedral school and supporting his efforts to
reform the clergy.
At
the death of the archbishop, Wolfgang chose to become a Benedictine monk and
moved to an abbey in Einsiedeln, now part of Switzerland. Ordained a priest, he
was appointed director of the monastery school there. Later he was sent to
Hungary as a missionary, though his zeal and good will yielded limited results.
Emperor
Otto II appointed him Bishop of Regensburg, near Munich. Wolfgang immediately
initiated reform of the clergy and of religious life, preaching with vigor and
effectiveness and always demonstrating special concern for the poor. He wore
the habit of a monk and lived an austere life.
The
draw to monastic life never left him, including the desire for a life of
solitude. At one point he left his diocese so that he could devote himself to
prayer, but his responsibilities as bishop called him back. In 994,
Wolfgang became ill while on a journey; he died in Puppingen near Linz,
Austria. He was canonized in 1052. His feast day is celebrated widely in much
of central Europe.
Reflection
Wolfgang
could be depicted as a man with rolled-up sleeves. He even tried retiring to
solitary prayer, but taking his responsibilities seriously led him back into
the service of his diocese. Doing what had to be done was his path to
holiness—and ours.
LECTIO
DIVINA: LUKE 13:22-30
Lectio
Divina:
Wednesday,
October 31, 2018
Ordinary
Time
1)
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty
and ever-living God,
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what You ask of us
and come to share the life You promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
strengthen our faith, hope and love.
May we do with loving hearts
what You ask of us
and come to share the life You promise.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son,
who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
2)
GOSPEL READING - LUKE 13:22-30
Jesus
passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to
Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few people be
saved?" He answered them, "Strive to enter through the narrow gate,
for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you
stand outside knocking and saying, 'Lord, open the door for us.' He will say to
you in reply, 'I do not know where you are from.' And you will say, 'We ate and
drank in your company and you taught in our streets.' Then he will say to you,
'I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!' And
there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the
south and will recline at table in the Kingdom of God. For behold, some are
last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
3)
REFLECTION
● The
Gospel today narrates an episode that took place along the road that Jesus was
going through from Galilee to Jerusalem, the description of which occupies one
third of Luke’s Gospel (Lk 9:51 to 19:28).
● Luke 13:22: The journey toward Jerusalem. “Through towns and villages He went teaching, making His way to Jerusalem”. More than once Luke mentions that Jesus is on the way toward Jerusalem. During ten chapters he describes the journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51 to 19:28). Luke constantly recalls that Jesus is on the way toward Jerusalem (Lk 9:51,53,57; 10:1,38; 11:1; 13:22,33; 14:25; 17:11; 18:31; 18:37; 19: 1,11,28). What is clear and definitive from the beginning is the destiny or end of the journey: Jerusalem, the capital city where Jesus suffers His Passion and dies (Lk 9:31, 51). But Luke rarely tells us about the places through which Jesus passed. This he says only at the beginning of the journey (Lk 9:51), in the middle (Lk 17:11) and at the end (Lk 18:35; 19:1), and thus we know something about the places through which Jesus was passing. In this way, Luke suggests the following teaching: the objective of our life should be clear, and we should assume it decidedly as Jesus did. We have to walk; we cannot stop. The places through which we have to pass are not always clear and definitive. What is certain is the objective: Jerusalem, where the “exodus” awaits us (Lk 9:31), the Passion, Death and the Resurrection.
● Luke 13:23: The question regarding the number of those who are saved. Along the road all kinds of things happen: information on the massacre and the disasters (Lk 13: 1-5), the parable (Lk 13:6-9, 18-21), discussions (Lk 13:10-13) and, in today’s Gospel, a question from the people: “Sir will there be only a few saved?” It is always the same question concerning salvation!
● Luke 13:24-25: The narrow door. Jesus says that the door is narrow: “Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter but will not succeed”. Does Jesus, perhaps, says this to fill us with fear and to oblige us to observe the Law as the Pharisees taught? What does this narrow door signify? About which door is He speaking? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus suggests that the entrance into the Kingdom has eight doors. These are the eight categories of people of the Beatitudes: (a) the poor in spirit, (b) the meek, (c) the afflicted, (d) the hungry and thirsty for justice, (e) the merciful, (f) the pure of heart, (g) the peacemakers and (h) those persecuted for justice (Mt 5:3-10). Luke reduces them to four categories: (a) the poor, (b) the hungry, (c) those who are sad and (d) those who are persecuted (Lk 6:20-22). Only those who belong to one of these categories mentioned in the Beatitudes will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the narrow door. It is the new view of the salvation which Jesus communicates to us. There is no other door! It is a question of the conversion which Jesus asks of us. And He insists: “Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you many will try to enter and will not succeed. Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself standing outside knocking on the door, saying ‘Lord, open to us’, but He will answer, ‘I do not know where you come from’”. Concerning the hour of judgment, now is the favorable time for conversion, to change our opinion, our view of salvation and to enter into one of the eight categories.
● Luke 13:26-28: The tragic misunderstanding. God responds to the one who knocks at the door: “I do not know where you come from.” But they insist and argue, “We have eaten and we drank in Your presence, You taught on our streets!” It is not sufficient to have eaten with Jesus, to have participated in the multiplication of the loaves and to have listened to His teachings on the streets of the cities and villages! It is not sufficient to be in Church and to have participated in catechism class. God will answer, “I do not know where you come from; away from Me, all evil doers!” This is a tragic misunderstanding and a total lack of conversion. Jesus considers unjust what others consider just and pleasing to God. It is a totally new way of seeing our salvation. The door is truly narrow.
● Luke 13:29-30: The key that explains the misunderstanding. “People from east and west, from north and south, will come and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. Look, there are those now last who will be the first, and those now first who will be last.” It is a matter of the great change which takes place with the coming of God down to us in Jesus. All people will have access and will pass through the narrow door.
● Luke 13:22: The journey toward Jerusalem. “Through towns and villages He went teaching, making His way to Jerusalem”. More than once Luke mentions that Jesus is on the way toward Jerusalem. During ten chapters he describes the journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51 to 19:28). Luke constantly recalls that Jesus is on the way toward Jerusalem (Lk 9:51,53,57; 10:1,38; 11:1; 13:22,33; 14:25; 17:11; 18:31; 18:37; 19: 1,11,28). What is clear and definitive from the beginning is the destiny or end of the journey: Jerusalem, the capital city where Jesus suffers His Passion and dies (Lk 9:31, 51). But Luke rarely tells us about the places through which Jesus passed. This he says only at the beginning of the journey (Lk 9:51), in the middle (Lk 17:11) and at the end (Lk 18:35; 19:1), and thus we know something about the places through which Jesus was passing. In this way, Luke suggests the following teaching: the objective of our life should be clear, and we should assume it decidedly as Jesus did. We have to walk; we cannot stop. The places through which we have to pass are not always clear and definitive. What is certain is the objective: Jerusalem, where the “exodus” awaits us (Lk 9:31), the Passion, Death and the Resurrection.
● Luke 13:23: The question regarding the number of those who are saved. Along the road all kinds of things happen: information on the massacre and the disasters (Lk 13: 1-5), the parable (Lk 13:6-9, 18-21), discussions (Lk 13:10-13) and, in today’s Gospel, a question from the people: “Sir will there be only a few saved?” It is always the same question concerning salvation!
● Luke 13:24-25: The narrow door. Jesus says that the door is narrow: “Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you, many will try to enter but will not succeed”. Does Jesus, perhaps, says this to fill us with fear and to oblige us to observe the Law as the Pharisees taught? What does this narrow door signify? About which door is He speaking? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus suggests that the entrance into the Kingdom has eight doors. These are the eight categories of people of the Beatitudes: (a) the poor in spirit, (b) the meek, (c) the afflicted, (d) the hungry and thirsty for justice, (e) the merciful, (f) the pure of heart, (g) the peacemakers and (h) those persecuted for justice (Mt 5:3-10). Luke reduces them to four categories: (a) the poor, (b) the hungry, (c) those who are sad and (d) those who are persecuted (Lk 6:20-22). Only those who belong to one of these categories mentioned in the Beatitudes will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the narrow door. It is the new view of the salvation which Jesus communicates to us. There is no other door! It is a question of the conversion which Jesus asks of us. And He insists: “Try your hardest to enter by the narrow door, because I tell you many will try to enter and will not succeed. Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself standing outside knocking on the door, saying ‘Lord, open to us’, but He will answer, ‘I do not know where you come from’”. Concerning the hour of judgment, now is the favorable time for conversion, to change our opinion, our view of salvation and to enter into one of the eight categories.
● Luke 13:26-28: The tragic misunderstanding. God responds to the one who knocks at the door: “I do not know where you come from.” But they insist and argue, “We have eaten and we drank in Your presence, You taught on our streets!” It is not sufficient to have eaten with Jesus, to have participated in the multiplication of the loaves and to have listened to His teachings on the streets of the cities and villages! It is not sufficient to be in Church and to have participated in catechism class. God will answer, “I do not know where you come from; away from Me, all evil doers!” This is a tragic misunderstanding and a total lack of conversion. Jesus considers unjust what others consider just and pleasing to God. It is a totally new way of seeing our salvation. The door is truly narrow.
● Luke 13:29-30: The key that explains the misunderstanding. “People from east and west, from north and south, will come and sit down at the feast in the Kingdom of God. Look, there are those now last who will be the first, and those now first who will be last.” It is a matter of the great change which takes place with the coming of God down to us in Jesus. All people will have access and will pass through the narrow door.
4)
PERSONAL QUESTIONS
● To
have a clear objective and to travel toward Jerusalem: are the objectives of my
life clear or do I allow myself to be blown around by the wind of public
opinion?
● The narrow door. What idea do I have of God, of life, and of salvation?
● The narrow door. What idea do I have of God, of life, and of salvation?
● If
“only those who belong to one of these categories mentioned in the Beatitudes
will enter the Kingdom of Heaven”, what of the Commandments? What constitutes
belonging to one of these categories? Is there a “more perfect” belonging in
some ways than in others? How does it all come together?
5)
CONCLUDING PRAYER
All
Your creatures shall thank You, Yahweh,
and Your faithful shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingship
and tell of Your might. (Ps 145:10-11)
and Your faithful shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingship
and tell of Your might. (Ps 145:10-11)
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