A CRAFTY STEWARD Rom. 15:14–21; Ps. 98; Luke 16:1–8 Luke 16:1–13 presents us with the parable of the crafty steward. This steward neglected his duties, and at the point of being dismissed, he devised a crafty means to secure his future. This is not to extol dishonesty or craftiness; rather, Christ wants us to be […]
Monthly Archives: November 2023
09
Nov
Nov
The House of God Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12; Psalm 46; 1Cor. 3:9-11, 16-17; John 2:13-22 In the first reading, Ezekiel speaks of a stream that flows from the Temple and gives life in abundance wherever it flows. The second reading speaks of our body as the temple of God through the Spirit we have received. […]
08
Nov
Nov
True Discipleship ROM 13:8–10, Psalm 111, and Luke 14:25–33 In today’s gospel, Jesus lays down the demands for discipleship. Jesus is so honest about the demands of discipleship that no one would claim to be induced. So, he says, “If any man comes to me without hating his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes, […]
07
Nov
Nov
The Great Banquet (II) Romans 12:5–16; Psalm 130; Luke 14:15–24 This is a continuation of the parable of the great banquet we had yesterday. This is a parable about the Kingdom of God; it expresses God’s plan for the salvation of all men. However, the part of the parable we read focuses on our responses […]
06
Nov
Nov
The Great Banquet Romans 11:29–36; Ps. 69; Luke 14:12–14 Today’s gospel presents us with the parable of the great banquet. However, we are limited to the first part of the parable (Luke 14:12–14). The parable illustrates God’s inclusivity and grace. The master extends an invitation to everyone, including the destitute, the disabled, the blind, and […]
05
Nov
Nov
A warning against Hypocrisy Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10; Psalm 130; 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13; Matthew 23:1-12 Today’s gospel, taken from Matthew 23:1–12, exposes the activities of the scribes and the Pharisees. This session of the gospel is divided into three parts. The first part exposes the oppressive burdens they lay on others (1-4), the second part […]
04
Nov
Nov
PHILIPPIANS 1:18-26; PSALM 42; LUKE 14:1, 7-11 HUMILITY “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus told this parable in the Gospel when he saw how the people chose and dragged places of honor to a feast. To date, many people still drag places and positions of […]
03
Nov
Nov
The law of love Romans 9:1–5; Psalm 147; Luke 14:1-6 “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well, will not immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?” Jesus asked this question to demonstrate his concern and love for everyone, in contrast to the Pharisees, who, at the […]
02
Nov
Nov
All Souls Wisdom 3:1-9, Ps. 23, Romans 5:5-11, Luke 7:11-17 Every soul yearns to be with God; thus, the psalmist pondered, “When can I enter and see the face of God?” Through our prayers and faith, the souls of the faithful departed enter heaven—their eternal desire. The Church observes All Souls Day on November 2 […]
All SAINTS Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14; Psalm 24; 1 John 3:1-3; Matthew 5:1-12 A saint is a person who is consecrated to God, holy, sacred, pious, and set apart. A saint is a person who is recognized as having an exceptional degree of holiness, likeness, or closeness to God. Saint(s) are understood in two different ways: […]