Love Shown in Action
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Do you receive the word of God with joy as the Thessalonians did? Their faith showed in their actions. They became models for other believers. The first reading tells us to put our faith into action. This passage is part of a long list of ordinances God commanded the Israelites to observe. God will judge us by how we treat our neighbors. God will hear the cries of any whom we neglect or mistreat and will come to their defense. In today’s Gospel the Pharisees put the question of God’s law to Jesus. “Which commandment of the law is the greatest?” (Matthew 22:36) How could he possibly choose from all the detailed commandments the Jews observed? He was sure to offend somebody by his answer! Of course, Jesus went right to the heart of the matter. Love is the greatest commandment—love of God and love of neighbor. Everything else is based on this.
Let’s Reflect on God’s Word
A cordial and fraternal greeting to all of you, dear friends, in the Lord’s name from Fr. Cesar and Fr. Walter.
On this Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time we will reflect about a “labor of love”. The first reading from Exodus: “If the poor implore me, I listen, for I am compassionate.” How many people do you know that you can describe with the word compassionate? … The second reading from the Letter of Thessalonians: For
your sake, do you know what kind of people surround you … Is there someone who you owe gratitude or prayers?
Gospel of Matthew: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.” How many ways have you expressed your love today? Who are the beneficiaries of your love? We thank all the people that throughout the Fiesta in honor of St. Jude Thaddeus displayed a labor of love to God, their community, and their church. May the Lord of life, continue to bless you with abundant graces.
Living God’s Word
It is difficult to love, especially when we have been hurt by others. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you the “fire of God’s love.” Call on the Spirit to deepen your awareness of God’s love for you, shown by giving us life and the gifts of faith, hope, and love.
Readings for the Week
Monday: Eph 4:32 — 5:8; Ps 1:1-4, 6; Lk 13:10-17
Tuesday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-5; Lk 6:12-16
Wednesday: Eph 6:1-9; Ps 145:10-14; Lk 13:22-30
Thursday: Eph 6:10-20; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Lk 13:31-35
Friday: Phil 1:1-11; Ps 111:1-6; Lk 14:1-6
Saturday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a
Sunday: Wis 3:1-9; Ps 23:1-6; Rom 5:5-11
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time; Priesthood Sunday; National World Youth Day (U.S.)
Tuesday: Ss. Simon and Jude
Friday: Halloween
Saturday: All Saints; First Saturday
Treasures from Our Tradition
Sadly, one of the most difficult reforms of the Second Vatican Council for the Church to embrace has been one of the most thorough and beautiful: the sacrament of penance. Because it is individual and private, it has been difficult for the changes to take root. Sometimes a priest may be grounded in the earlier form, and at other times the penitent may resist the priest’s attempt to blend in the proper texts and rituals. Perhaps because the new form is almost identical in structure to the old, it has been difficult to institute. It may also be true that with the liturgy in English now, it is far clearer that the Eucharist, too, is a “sacrament of reconciliation.” It is certainly true that there are different skills and gifts in ministry, and experienced penitents know that not all priests are equally at ease in this sacramental encounter. Sometimes a difficult experience can drive people away from a liturgy that is spiritually rich and rewarding. Yet we know that one bad meal seldom puts people off restaurants forever: the dinner gong tends to dispel bad memories, and so we try again. Individual confession and absolution are for us both treasures and traditions. If you haven’t been for a while, consider coming back to praise God for this gift of mercy.