The Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ecclesiasticus 27:30-28:7; Psalm 102; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35

Both the first reading and the gospel today speak of forgiveness. We are called on in both readings to remember the Covenants with God who forgave humankind again and again despite their sinful ways. The first reading from Ecclesiasticus opens by telling us that ‘resentment and anger … are foul things’ and that these have no place in our lives. In our gospel passage we have the parable of the wicked servant who – despite being pardoned by the king of his debt – refused to pardon a fellow servant who was in debt to him. There is a reminder for us that if we are to expect forgiveness from God and from others then we ourselves must forgive those who we perceive to have wronged us and we should never harbour resentment.

In the second reading St Paul tells us that we belong to God whether we are alive or dead. If we belong to the Lord then we should forgive much.

Monday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

1 Timothy 2:1-8; Psalm 27; Luke 7:1-10

In our first reading from his first letter to St Timothy, we see St Paul exhorting Timothy and his companions to pray because this is what pleases God and it will also help others to come to salvation which is what God wants. There is also a reminder in the letter that God’s offer of salvation knows no limits. The Psalm reminds us that God listens to us when we call to him in prayer. In our Gospel passage from St Luke, we see a centurion coming to Jesus to plead for the life of his servant. The man’s request is answered because of his faith even though he is not of the House of Israel. This is the faith to which we are called – a faith which trusts Jesus completely in all things. It also shows us that God does answer our prayers, particularly when those prayers are for others.

Tuesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

1 Timothy 3:1-13; Psalm 100; Luke 7:11-17

Our first reading today from the first letter to St Timothy gives us guidelines for the sort of people who should be admitted to service in the Church as presidents of communities (bishops) and as deacons. It gives us an image of the early hierarchy of the Church with a married clergy and women working closely with deacons. St Paul also comments on how other people too should live. It is a good reminder to us that what we do is done in public and that we are answerable to the community as well as to God and we should always give a Christian example in living. In our Gospel we see Jesus comforting the widow of Nain and restoring her only son to life. This is a further sign for the people of the greatness of Christ but also shows his compassion for those who suffer. The widow had lost the only person she had left in this world who would look after her and take care of her and so Christ answered her need by restoring her son to her. Luke is the only evangelist who records this miracle but it fits with his image of Jesus who always feels deeply the distress of his people. The Lord always comforts us in our sorrows and supports us in our pain, and while not always as obvious as in today’s Gospel he is always there to help us and to give us strength.

Wednesday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

1 Timothy 3:14-16; Psalm 110; Luke 7:31-35

St Paul in his first letter to St Timothy reminds his co-worker that the mysteries of our religion are very deep. He offers no explanation because none could do justice to God but he does give a very brief summary of the mystery. The letter also shows Paul’s concern for Timothy himself who is now looking after the Church in Ephesus where Paul himself had spent time. In the Gospel we see Jesus teaching the people. He puts it to them that when John the Baptist appeared and didn’t act as they would expect they called him a mad man. Yet when Christ himself appeared among them doing what they expected John to do, they likewise would not accept him but called him a drunkard. Christ is pointing out that the people do not decide what the messenger should be like. The messenger is appointed by God and acts on his behalf proclaiming the message as God has instructed. It is for the people to recognise the messenger and to listen to and accept the message if they are to attain eternal life. We must never see God and his message in our terms.

Memorial of St Andrew Kim Taegon, Priest & Martyr, St Paul Chong, Martyr & Companions

Andrew and his Companions are known as the Korean Martyrs for they were martyred in that country. Andrew was born in 1821 and ordained in 1845, just one year before he became the first Korean priest to be put to death for the faith. In all it is thought that up to 10,000 Koreans were martyred for the faith between 1791-1867, many of whom were lay-people. Pope John Paul II canonized a representative 103 martyrs in Seoul Cathedral on May 6, 1984.

Feast of St Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist 

Ephesians 4:1-7; Psalm 18; Matthew 9:9-13

Our first reading today from the letter to the Ephesians speaks of the different gifts of God which have been given to the Ephesians, and how they should all be used for the building up of the Body of Christ. First among those are the apostles who gave their lives for the building of the kingdom – Matthew being today’s example. The gospel passage tells the story of the call of Matthew from being a tax-collector to being a follower of Christ.

Very little is known about Matthew other than the fact that he was a tax-collector and wrote one of the Synoptic Gospels, which he wrote in Hebrew. Accounts of his martyrdom are unconfirmed.

Friday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time 

1 Timothy 6:2-12; Psalm 48; Luke 8:1-3

St Paul calls upon St Timothy to be saintly in all that he does and to seek only the profit of spirituality and not material possessions. The latter we cannot take with us and so we should and must concentrate on the spiritual. Paul was also aware that Timothy was going to encounter those who would seek to make financial gain out of preaching and he did not want Timothy to fall in to the same trap but to stick to the sound principles for a happy life as given by Christ. The Psalm reminds us that we cannot buy life from God or avoid the grave. In the brief Gospel text for today we are given the names of some of the women who accompanied Jesus on his travels and looked after his needs. These were loyal to Christ even to following him to Calvary and assisting with his burial.

Saturday of the Twenty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time

1 Timothy 6:13-16; Psalm 99; Luke 8:4-15

St Paul continues his exhortation to Timothy today and reminds him that Christ is the source of all life and so he must remain steadfast as a servant of Christ. As Christ bore witness before Pontius Pilate so too Timothy must bear witness until the end of his life. In our Gospel passage we have the familiar parable of the Sower going out to sow seed. The different places where the seed fell represent humankind’s response to Christ. The important phrase for us is “Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!” If we truly listen to the word of God then we will grow in the faith for we will realise the great promise that awaits those who listen, hear and take to heart the word of God.

Memorial of St Pius of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio), Priest

Francesco Forgione was born in southern Italy in 1887. He joined the Capuchin Friars and was ordained priest in 1910. He suffered from ill-health and was thought to have tuberculosis at one stage. While praying before a cross he received the visible stigmata on September 20, 1918. His fame spread far and wide after the end of the Second World War and crowds flocked to hear and see him. Many miracles have been attributed to him and he was a gifted confessor. He founded a hospital in 1956. He died on September 23, 1968, and was canonized in 2002.