Reflections on Daily Readings 2026
September 27 – October 31, 2026
September 27 – October 3, 2026
26th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ezekiel 18:25-28; Psalm 24; Philippians 2:1-11; Matthew 21:28-32
The first reading from the Prophet Ezekiel tells us that we are the ones who are unjust when we go astray and not God. God punishes us for our sinfulness but he is just in doing so. We are also reminded that those who change their ways and repent of their transgressions are welcomed back by God. The Psalm asks the Lord to be merciful and to teach us his ways. In the gospel, Jesus is admonishing some of the chief priests and elders for not listening to God’s messengers. He tells them that those whom they consider to be sinners are actually getting in to heaven ahead of them because they are, in their own quiet way, believing in God. He points out to them that John the Baptist came and lived and preached in a way which they hold as exemplary and yet they refused to listen to him. We too are called on to believe in God and not fool ourselves with our own ideas.
St Paul tells us in the second reading that we must be the same as Christ who gave up everything and became like us in order to save us. We must give up our earthly ways and become like Christ if we are to enter the Kingdom of heaven.
Monday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Job 1:6-22; Psalm 16; Luke 9:46-50
This week we turn to the Book of Job which dates to about the beginning of the fifth century before Christ. In its opening section we see how Job was afflicted by Satan who wanted to prove a point to God. Job represents all those who serve the Lord faithfully and yet endure suffering in their lives. Despite his great misfortunes, Job still praises God and refuses to do or say anything wrong. In the Gospel, the disciples have been arguing about who is the greatest but Christ tells them that the greatest is actually the least. We are challenged today to be a humble people and to accept everything that comes our way – whether we see it as good or bad – with dignity and with praise for God.
Feast of Sts Michael, Gabriel & Raphael, Archangels
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 (or Revelations 12:7-12); Psalm 137; John 1:47-51
The text from the book of Daniel speaks of one of great age taking his seat upon his throne and receiving sovereignty, glory and kingship and with all peoples worshiping him. In the alternative reading from the book of Revelations we read of Michael the Archangel leading the hosts of angels into battle on behalf of the Lord against the dragon, known as the devil of Satan. They are victorious and the glory of the Lord is declared. In the gospel we see Jesus speaking with Nathanael when the latter came to him late at night. Nathanael says that Jesus is the Son of God and Jesus commends him for his faith. He goes on to tell him that he shall see great things in heaven including the angels who dwell in the Lord’s presence and act as his messengers.
Wednesday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Job 9:1-16; Psalm 87; Luke 9:57-62
In our first reading today Job tells his friends that God is always right for we do not know his mind. Therefore how can we be right and God be wrong? In his speech he outlines the greatness and the glory of the Lord. In the Gospel we see a number of men coming to Jesus to follow him but each has a condition to be filled before they will set out with him. Our following of Christ must be unconditional if we are to be true disciples and so enter the kingdom of heaven.
Feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux, Virgin & Doctor of the Church
Marie Françoise-Thérèse Martin – popularly known as ‘The Little Flower’ – was born in Alençon, northern France, in 1873, one of nine children born to Saints Louis and Zélie Martin. While still young (at the age of 15), and despite opposition, she entered the Discalced Carmelite monastery in Lisieux. By word and example she taught the novices the virtues of humility. Following a difficult illness (tuberculosis) she died on September 30, 1897. Thérèse was canonized in 1925 with successive popes referring to her as ‘the greatest saint of modern times’. She became famous for her ‘Little Way’ which is found in her remaining letters and her biography. She was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope John Paul II in 1997. She is co-patroness of the Missions and secondary patron of France.
Readings:
Isaiah 66:10-14 or 1John 4:7-16; Psalm 102; Matthew 11:25-30 or Matthew 18:1-4
In the reading from the Prophet Isaiah, the Lord is telling Jerusalem and its inhabitants that they are to be comforted as a child is looked after by its mother. To Jerusalem he will send peace flowing like a river.
Our alternative reading from the first letter of St John tells us that we must love one another because God loves us. Not alone will God love us, but he will also live in us. Despite the poor health and trials Thérèse suffered in the final years of her life, she continued to love and trust in God and this was lived out in how she loved her sisters in Community, even when their odd habits and eccentricities caused her distraction. She was devoted to Christ whose life, death and resurrection were the embodiment of God’s incredible love for us and which inspired Thérèse.
Both gospels which can be used today carry the same theme – that of becoming like little children in how we trust God. In one we see Jesus praising God for having revealed his truth to mere children, and in the other he tells us to become like a little child for they are the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. Often the most learned in the world miss God’s message because they want to analyse and rationalise it. However, those who look at it with a child’s mind, as did St Thérèse, will find the true meaning in its hidden depths. At times, Thérèse’s writings are very much in line with those of a child and yet the message is very simple but also profound, demonstrating that she had grasped the message of God which she tried to live that out in her own short life.
Memorial of the Guardian Angels
Exodus 23:20-23; Psalm 90; Matthew 18:1-5, 10
In our first reading we read of the Jews who have just left Egypt on their journey back to the Promised Land. As the journey is a long one the Lord is granting a guardian angel to them who will guide and protect them and speak God’s word to them. For their part, the people must honour and respect the angel. In the gospel, Jesus tells us that we have guardian angels and that, particularly in the case of children, our guardian angels are in the presence of the Father in heaven and speak directly to him on our behalf.
Saturday of the Twenty-sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17; Psalm 118; Luke 10:17-24
In the first reading we see Job repenting for having questioned God’s reasons for acting and for his own pride. Because he has been faithful, God rewards Job beyond his earlier fortunes. In the Gospel, Christ’s disciples come back rejoicing for they have had authority over the devil. They have been given power by Christ for the spreading of the kingdom. We too have a duty and a responsibility to pass on the message of the kingdom to those whom we meet by word and deed. Like Job, we will receive a great reward if we have been faithful to the Gospel.
October 4 – October 10, 2026
27th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 5:1-7; Psalm 79; Philippians 4:6-9; Matthew 21:33-43
Through the Prophet Isaiah in the first reading the Lord speaks of a vineyard which he planted and which has yielded bad fruit. The Lord is now going to let the vineyard be destroyed and over-run. The good vines that were planted were the Lord’s Chosen People but the bad fruit is their lack of belief and their sinfulness. In the gospel we have another parable concerning a vineyard. In this, the tenants try to take over ownership of the vineyard by killing the owner’s son. We are reminded that while we may live in the Lord’s vineyard here on earth we still owe our homage to God. We may try at playing gods but it will get us nowhere if we ignore the one true God from whom all things come.
In the second reading to the Philippians, St Paul tells us to pray to God if there is anything we need and that, at the very least, the peace of God will be granted to us.
The Twenty-seventh Monday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 1:6-12; Psalm 110; Luke 10:25-37
This week our first reading comes from the New Testament and today’s passage comes from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians written about 57-58 AD. This was a predominantly Gentile Christian community in Northern Galatia in what is present-day Turkey. In today’s passage Paul reminds us that there are those who preach different things and call it ‘the good news.’ We must be on our guard against them for there is only one Gospel and we must accept it in its entirety. Believing in anything else can lead us from the truth and the love of God. In our Gospel we have the story of the Good Samaritan which illustrates for us that everyone – including our enemies – is our neighbour and so we should reach out to them in their need no matter how inconvenient that might be. We have the example of Christ who cured people so long as they had faith in him.
The Twenty-seventh Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 1:13-24; Psalm 138; Luke 10:38-42
In our reading from the letter to the Christian community in Galatia we are told how St Paul used to persecute the early Church. This all ended, however, when he answered the call of God to serve the Gospel. Paul had been forced to defend himself because of Jewish teachers who had visited the area and told the people that Paul had no authority to teach. In the Gospel, we see Jesus visit the home of his friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He is welcomed and Martha plays the host and fusses over food and other niceties while Mary sits at his feet. When Martha complains that Mary is doing nothing, the Lord tells her to relax and to take a leaf out of Mary’s book because Mary is spending time with her Lord and listening to what he is saying. It is very easy for us to neglect quality time with the Lord in prayer and the reading of Scripture but these are the things which make our relationship with him stronger.
Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Acts 1:12-14; Psalm – Luke 1; Luke 1:26-38
The readings and the Psalm today focus very much on Our Lady. In the first reading we see the apostles and a number of others gathered with Mary in the upper room between the Ascension and Pentecost. They are gathered together in prayer. The Psalm is Mary’s beautiful prayer, the Magnificat, in which she praises God. In the gospel, we see the archangel Gabriel greeting Mary at the Annunciation. She says ‘yes’ to God in complete trust and confidence. Today’s memorial reminds us to be steadfast in prayer and to always trust in the Lord for he will be with us to strengthen and to guide us.
The Twenty-seventh Thursday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 3:1-5; Psalm – see Luke 1; Luke 11:5-13
St Paul is admonishing the Galatians in the first reading for they believe that they have received the Holy Spirit because they have kept the Law. Paul tells them that it has nothing to do with the Law but with their faith. In the Gospel, Christ teaches us to ask the Father for whatever we need. All our prayers are answered by God if only we would ask, though we might not always like the answer we receive. We are called on today to believe in God and to trust in him for if we simply keep the Commandments but do not believe it will count for very little.
The Twenty-seventh Friday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 3:7-14; Psalm 110; Luke 11:15-26
In the first reading, St Paul tells the Christian community of Galatia that those who do have faith receive the same blessing as Abraham – “our father in faith” – whether they be Jew, Gentile or pagan. Paul says that Christ came to free people from the Jewish Law and to give us the path of faith instead. Faith is what is important and it is a gift of God made available to all people. In our Gospel, Jesus tells the people that he is not Beelzebul, the prince of devils. His power and authority over unclean spirits comes from God and not from the devil. In this way his kingdom is greater than that of his foes.
The Twenty-seventh Saturday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 3:22-29; Psalm 104; Luke 11:27-28
St Paul tells us in the first reading that because of our faith in Christ we are all sons and daughters of God. In fact we are all either son or daughter because such distinctions do not exist in the sight of God. To Paul, the Law of Moses was no more than a ‘guide’ until such time as the people were mature enough to accept the path of faith. For Paul, that time has now arrived and the path has been given to the world through Jesus Christ. In the Gospel we are told that those who are happiest are those who hear the word of God and keep it and live by it. We are challenged to hear the message of Christ in the Scriptures and to live by that message every day of our lives and to participate in the spread of that message.
October 11 – October 17, 2026
28th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 25:6-10; Psalm 22; Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
In the first reading from the Prophet Isaiah we are told that those who hope in the Lord will be raised up and will receive salvation. In this all their shame and troubles will be taken from their and happiness will be theirs. Our gospel text contains the parable of the king who held a banquet for his son’s wedding but whose guests did not turn up. The banquet is the kingdom of heaven and the guests are men and women of every age and time. Those who do not heed the call of God and who ignore him will be left out in the dark when their time on earth comes to an end. It is a reminder that the message of God and places in the kingdom are offered to all but only those who are worthy will be allowed entry to the kingdom when the time comes.
In the second reading, St Paul tells his readers that he can master anything that may come his way because he has the Lord to give him strength. We are challenged today to live lives worthy of the invitation which the Father extends to us, knowing that he is with us to strengthen us just as he did St Paul.
The Twenty-eighth Monday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1; Psalm 112; Luke 11:29-32
In our first reading from the letter to the Galatians we continue St Paul’s explanation of how we have been freed from the Jewish Laws and given the path of faith by Christ. Paul talks about Abraham’s slave wife, Hagar and her child, Ishmael, who – for Paul’s purposes – represent the Jewish people, and Abraham’s free wife, Sarah and her child, Isaac, who represent Christians. Paul says that we have been born free in the waters of baptism because our slavery to sin has been broken by Christ. In the Gospel the people are asking Jesus for a sign to prove that he is the Messiah. He doesn’t give them a sign but reminds them of Jonah, telling them that they have something greater than Jonah in their midst.
The Twenty-eighth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 5:1-6; Psalm 118; Luke 11:37-41
Some of the Galatians believed they had to be circumcised and live under the Law in order to be saved. But St Paul tells them in the first reading that the Law cannot save them – faith is what they need in order to be saved and they should not worry about signs such as circumcision. Paul reminds them that true faith proves itself through charitable works and not through external sings on the body. In the Gospel, Jesus admonishes a Pharisee for wanting to wash before meals when on the inside he was unclean. The heart is what God looks at – not the outside. We too are called by both readings to look into ourselves and to make ourselves inwardly pure. One way of doing this is by giving alms to the poor.
The Twenty-eighth Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Galatians 5:18-25; Psalm 1; Luke 11:42-46
In our last section from his letter to the Gentile Christians in Galatia, St Paul tells us that we should always live with the Holy Spirit guiding our lives. If we live by our own will then we only fall into sin. Paul tells us of the vices found in living by the flesh and the contrasting virtues found in living a life in the Spirit. Jesus, in the Gospel, admonishes Pharisees and lawyers for putting obstacles before the people so that they cannot truly worship the Lord, especially when those things place the Pharisees themselves in elevated positions before the people.
Feast of St Teresa of Avila, Virgin & Doctor of the Church
Teresa Sánchez de Cepeda y Ahumada was born in Avila, Spain, in 1515. She entered the Carmelites and made great progress in the way of perfection and was granted mystical revelations. At this time religious life in Spain, and across Europe, was in much need of reform and Teresa began this work with the monastery in which she was living. She also founded other monasteries under her strict reform and enlisted John of the Cross to reform the male branch of the Order of Carmelites. After her death, the reform she began eventually separated from the Carmelite Order to become the Order of Discalced Carmelites. She wrote a number of books which brought her to the attention of the Inquisition but which she persevered in writing and which demonstrate her profound insight into prayer. For Teresa, prayer was a conversation with a close friend, and this can be seen in her many references to Christ. Her letters also show a tremendous humanity while gently bringing people back into line. Her best-known works are The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle. She died at Alba in 1582 and was canonized in 1622. Her writings have earned her the title of Doctor of the Church.
Readings:
Wisdom 7:7-14 or Romans 8:14-17, 26-27; Psalm 83; John 7:14-18, 37-39a or John 4:5-15a
There are two possible first readings for today and both speak about prayer. The reading from the Book of Wisdom speaks about praying for and receiving understanding, and about the importance of wisdom and the goodness which wisdom brings. St Teresa of Jesus had a very close relationship with the Lord which she developed through an incredible life of prayer with him. Through that she gained an insight into the life of prayer for each of us and taught us that prayer is simply a conversation with a close friend – a phrase which makes prayer easier for so many people.
The alternative text from the letter to the Romans speaks about the Holy Spirit being there to help us in our weakness, a Spirit which has been given to each of us by God. At times prayer is difficult for us but with the Spirit moving in us we are able to pray and to speak personally with God.
In the gospel text, Jesus tells us that the words which he speaks and uses to teach are not his own words as a human but come from God in heaven and can therefore be trusted. The Jews had expressed astonishment that Jesus could say such things given his apparent lack of education. Many said the same of St Teresa in her day, and yet she is a Doctor of the Church and the teaching she has left us was inspired by God. The key teaching for us is to listen to God in the silence of our hearts and the words of scripture, and to live out the life of faith at every moment.
In the alternative gospel text, we see the encounter between Jesus and the woman at the well. She listens to Jesus despite the obstacles which society had placed between a Jewish man and a Samaritan woman, and through that listening she came to believe in Jesus.
The Twenty-eighth Friday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 1:11-14; Psalm 32; Luke 12:1-7
St Paul tells his readers in the letter to the Ephesians that they have already been stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is at work in them and brings them freedom as sons and daughters of God. Paul reminds them that the message was first preached to the Jewish people as the ‘Chosen People’ and then to all peoples and so they too have a right to share in the salvation promised through Christ. Jesus tells us in the Gospel that what we do is known to God who knows us intimately and cares for every fibre of our being. Knowing this, and with the Holy Spirit working in us, we should do everything to ensure that we live as God wants us to live.
The Twenty-eighth Saturday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 1:15-23; Psalm 8; Luke 12:8-12
In our first reading St Paul speaks to us today of the glories which lie in wait for the faithful. All of this is in Christ who has been made head of the Church, which is the Mystical Body of Christ. In the Gospel, Jesus tells us that if we reject him in the presence of others then he will reject us in the presence of the Father. To help us to stand faithful he has given us the Holy Spirit to be our strength and protection. To deny Jesus is not simply done in word but also by failing to act as Christians in the sight of others. The rejection of Christ is also the rejection of our hope.
October 18 – October 24, 2026
29th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; Psalm 95; 1Thessalonians 1:1-5; Matthew 22:15-21
In the first reading the Lord, speaking through the Prophet Isaiah, tells us that apart from him all is nothing. In the gospel, the Pharisees are trying to catch Jesus out but he turns the tables on them. They did not like paying taxes to Caesar and ask Jesus whether or not the taxes should be paid. If he says ‘yes’ then he will be seen as no friend to Israel and not a true Jew; if he answers ‘no’ then he could be denounced to the Romans as a trouble maker. He tells them that as Caesar’s head is on the coins then Caesar has a right to claim them back. He uses this to say that all we have comes from God and therefore he is deserving of our praise, our thanks and our faith.
For the final weeks of this year our second reading comes from St Paul’s letter to the Christians of Thessalonica. Today’s reading is from the opening section of his second letter to the Thessalonians in which he reminds them of their faith, their love and their hope. Paul is giving them a little boost to keep them strong in faith. The same applies to us today.
The Twenty-ninth Monday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 2:1-10; Psalm 99; Luke 12:13-21
In the letter to the Christian community at Ephesus on the western shore of modern-day Turkey, St Paul reminds his readers that humans were sinners who were ruled by their physical desires. Despite still being sinners God loved them greatly and sent his own Son to restore them to life. In the Gospel, Christ reminds us of the folly of storing up material goods here on earth. They only serve to distract us from the true treasure which we should be seeking – that is a place in the kingdom. Considering the great love of God and the sacrifice he made for us we should always keep the kingdom as the sole goal of our lives.
The Twenty-ninth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 2:12-22; Psalm 84; Luke 12:35-38
St Paul tells us in the first reading that before Christ there was only the Law and only Jews could worship God. Through Christ we all now have the means to salvation because we can all become Christians regardless of our birth. He goes on to speak about a household and how we are now all part of that household through the saving power of Christ. In the Gospel we are told to be always ready because we do not know when the master will return to visit us. If we are living good Christian lives then we will be always ready and will not have to worry at the Lord’s return or our call to heaven.
The Twenty-ninth Wednesday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 3:2-12; Psalm – Isaiah 12; Luke 12:39-48
We read in our first reading from the letter to the Ephesians how the grace of God is meant for all peoples – be they Jew, Gentile or pagan. With this grace we can confidently draw closer to God. We are reminded again in today’s Gospel that we do not know the hour when we will be called to give an account of our stewardship and of our lives. When the Lord does return he will want to know if we have done all that he has told us to do which includes being full participants in the spread of the Good News.
The Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 3:14-21; Psalm 32; Luke 12:49-53
Today’s first reading contains the prayer which St Paul prayed for the Ephesians – that their faith would grow strong through the power of the Holy Spirit. In the Gospel we read an unusual passage in which Christ says that he came to bring division rather than peace. However, when we consider that he was talking about believer and unbeliever we can understand what he is saying. We are challenged to look into our hearts to see which category we fall into knowing that faith calls for action in our lives rather than simply reciting words.
The Twenty-ninth Friday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 4:1-6; Psalm 23; Luke 12:54-59
St Paul reminds us in the letter to the Ephesians that we all form part of the Body of Christ and that we should do all we can to build up the unity of that body. He also tells us how that should be done – through charity, selflessness, gentleness and patience and by believing in God as the head of all. Jesus admonishes the people in the Gospel for being able to read the weather but not being able to read the signs of the times and realise that he is the Messiah. We are challenged in our own day to read the signs of the times and to realise that we need Christ now more than ever before.
The Twenty-ninth Saturday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 4:7-16; Psalm 121; Luke 13:1-9
In our first reading for today, St Paul again uses the analogy of the body to say that we each have our own role to play in the Body of Christ. Each person’s role is different but ultimately each is for the spreading of the Gospel and the building up of the kingdom and we must do all we can to fulfil that role. In the Gospel passage from St Luke, Jesus calls us to repentance in order to be saved. We should not put off our repentance until tomorrow but we should begin today for we do not know if we shall live to see tomorrow.
October 25 – October 31, 2026
30th Week of Ordinary Time | Readings: Sunday Cycle A; Weekday Cycle 2.
The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Exodus 22:20-26; Psalm 17; 1Thessalonians 1:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40
In our first reading from the Book of Exodus the Lord is telling the people how they should behave towards the poor and the stranger. If they are not honest and upright with the poor and less fortunate then the Lord will be angry for he hears the cry of the poor and will answer their cries for justice. In the gospel, the Pharisees are still trying to trick Jesus and yet again they fail. He answers their question regarding the greatest commandment and goes on to tell them that they must love their neighbour as themselves – something they were not happy to do for they saw themselves as being greater than the majority of their neighbours. These readings challenge us to look at ourselves and to see how we treat our neighbours and particularly the poor.
St Paul continues to encourage the Thessalonians to remain faithful to God in our second reading by telling them of how the reputation of their faith has spread to other places and so is an example for others.
The Thirtieth Monday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 4:32-5:8; Psalm 1; Luke 13:10-17
Our first reading this week is again taken from St Paul’s letter to the Christian community at Ephesus and in today’s passage Paul encourages us to love others in imitation of the Father and the Son who both love much. Only in this way can we build up the kingdom of God and live righteously. The Psalm speaks of how a good person lives. In the Gospel, Christ heals a woman on the Sabbath which infuriates a synagogue official who tells the people to come to be healed on any day of the week except the Sabbath. The Lord answers and says that none of those present would hesitate to untie his donkey on the Sabbath in order to water the beast and therefore it is right to untie a fellow human from their bonds on the Sabbath. His words leave the officials confused while the people are happy to hear him.
The Thirtieth Tuesday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 5:21-33; Psalm 127; Luke 13:18-21
Our first reading from the letter to the Ephesians today does not appear to be very politically correct these days but St Paul’s underlying message of respect is all the more important in today’s overwhelming climate of individualism and self-centredness. Paul speaks of married life and says that a husband and wife should have the same relationship with each other as Christ has with his Church. Today’s Gospel sees Christ using two brief parables to show how the kingdom flourishes and grows. It can only grow if we allow it to do so and if we each help in its spread.
Feast of Sts Simon and Jude the Apostles
Ephesians 2:19-22; Psalm 18; Luke 6:12-19
Our first reading from the letter to the Ephesians speaks of the Church being founded on the Apostles. St Paul speaks about the role the Apostles played in the establishment of the Church and of how their lives can give a sure foundation to the faith of each of us. The gospel passage recounts the naming of the Twelve Apostles by Christ. What is significant about his choice is that they were ordinary people who believed in him and acknowledged their sinfulness and need of grace. More importantly, Jesus spent time in prayer before he made his choice. We too should pray before we make our own important decisions and try to live as the Apostles did – completely faithful to the Lord.
The Thirtieth Thursday in Ordinary Time
Ephesians 6:10-20; Psalm 143; Luke 13:31-35
St Paul tells us in our final section from his letter to the Christian community in the port city of Ephesus that it is the devil we must fear and not our fellow men and women. To combat the devil we must allow God to clothe us in spiritual armour and to pray constantly while spreading the Gospel. In the Gospel text some Pharisees come to warn Jesus to leave Jerusalem or he will die at the hands of Herod. However, he tells them that it is his destiny as a prophet to die in Jerusalem. He then weeps at the fact that Jerusalem has rejected both him and his message.
The Thirtieth Friday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 1:1-11; Psalm 110; Luke 14:1-6
Today we begin reading from St Paul’s letter to the Christians in the northern Greek town of Philippi. This was the first Christian community Paul had founded in Europe about the year 50 AD, this letter being written about six years later when Paul was in prison. In our opening section, Paul tells the people that the work they have begun – that is, the spread of the Gospel – will be completed by Christ when they are called home to heaven. Paul writes in glowing terms about the people and prays that their virtues may increase and that they may be blessed by the Lord. In the Gospel, Jesus is again under scrutiny on the Sabbath as he goes to a meal in the home of a leading Pharisee. Before acting he asks if healing on the Sabbath is really against the Law given that those listening would unhesitatingly pull their ox from a well on the Sabbath if it fell in. His argument goes unanswered by those who were present.
The Thirtieth Saturday in Ordinary Time
Philippians 1:18-26; Psalm 41; Luke 14:1, 7-11
In our first reading from his letter to the Philippians, St Paul says that he wants to die for the simple reason that he wants to go to heaven. However, he realises that he has an important mission to take care of before he dies and that is the spread of the Gospel. Paul also says that both life and death come under the influence of Christ and therefore he is happy to live but does not fear death. This mission is also our mission. Christ warns us in the gospel, in the story of the wedding feast, about being a humble people and about not seeking the highest honours. Humility will serve the kingdom, and ourselves, far better than pride and honours.
