Commentary: There are only ever thirty-three or thirty-four Sundays in Ordinary Time, depending on the day of the week on which Christmas Day falls. (There are thirty-four this year). Advent is nigh!
Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
The Book of Malachi, chapter one, verse fourteen(b) thru chapter two, verse two(b) & eight, nine, & ten;
Psalm One Hundred Thirty-one, verses one, two, & three;
The First Letter to the Thessalonians, chapter two, verses seven(b), eight, nine, & thirteen;
The Gospel according to Matthew, chapter twenty-three, verses one thru twelve.
Commentary: Reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, in today's Gospel Jesus turns his sharp eye and withering critique on the many ways that religious leaders fall into corruption. What precisely is bothering Jesus? Some religious leaders get their kicks from burdening people, laying the law on them heavily, making demands that are terrible, exulting in their own moral superiority.Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
At the core of Jesus' program is a willingness to bear other people's burdens, to help them carry their loads. And this applies to the moral life as well. If we lay the burden of God's law on people, we must be willing, at the same time, to help them bear it.
Another classic problem with religious people and especially religious leaders: they use the law and morality as a means of inflating the ego. The trouble is that this drug wears off rather quickly, and then we want more of it. We need a greater title, more respect, more recognition.
What is Jesus' recommendation for those caught in this dilemma? To be great is to be a servant: lowly, simple, often forgotten. Eschew marks of respect; don't seek them. Be satisfied with doing your work, whatever it is, on behalf of God's kingdom.
Video reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D.: Breaking the Bread.
Mass Journal: Week 45
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
The truth is, I do things every day that are contrary to the ways of God, things that stop me from being the-best-version-of-myself, & so do you—every day. Then we carry all this baggage around with us & it affects us in ways that we often are not even aware of. Our sins affect us physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, & psychologically. They affect our relationships, our work, our health, our intellectual clarity, & our ability to genuinely embrace & experience all of life. Sin limits our future by chaining us to the past. Yet, most people are able to convince themselves either that sin doesn't exist, that they don't sin, or that their sins are not affecting them. But if we take an honest inventory of our thoughts, words, & actions, it becomes abundantly clear that every one of us does things that are self-destructive, offensive to others, contrary to the natural laws of the universe, & in direct conflict with the laws of God. If we really think we can carry all this around inside us & that it is not affecting us, then we are only deceiving ourselves.
Otherwise, 5 November would be the festival of Saint Magnus of Milan, Bishop (died circa 530): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
'Twould also be the festival of Blessed Bernhard Lichtenberg, Priest & Martyr (1875-1943), martyred in the reign of the Führer Adolf Hitler, honored by Israel as Righteous among the Nations: Martyr-link & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link Righteous.
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