Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 22:34-40)
If we return to the ancient expression of the law of God in the Ten Commandments we find no explicit reference to love of God and love of neighbour. Jesus draws together all the commandments under these two headings. What does Jesus mean by love? Love of God is our grateful response to the love shown by God throughout the history of salvation.
Do I attempt to follow Christ’s commands of love in my daily life?
Do I endeavour to imitate in some way the self-giving love of Christ?
We thank God for the new law of love.
We pray for all Christians whose example gives us encouragement.
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 23:1-12)
In every age, and probably in every religion, religious leadership has gone astray and failed to live up to high ideals. We need religious leaders to guide and direct us, but, as in the days of Jesus, religious leaders can be seduced by status. They can covet places of honour and elaborate vestments. Chrisitan leaders can lose sight of the example of Christ.
Jesus’ example is one of humble service. He is the true rabbi, teacher, and master. All of us are called to follow in humility the one who came to serve and to make our journey with him towards the fulness of God’s life.
Do I take inappropriate pride in the trappings of my Christian life?
Am I ready to humble myself, and is my spirit truly dedicated to Christ?
We pray for religious leaders that they may behave with sincerity and integrity at all times.
We pray for those who are led astray by tatus and pomposity.
Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (Matthew 25:1-13)
Jesus is described as the bridegroom repeatedly in the four gospels. We take on the task to accompany and serve Jesus from the time of our baptism. But will we be ready when the bridegroom appears?
The symbol of the lamp brings a clear allusion to Christian life and to the sacrament of baptism. We receive the light of Christ when we are baptised, and we are constantly challenged to keep the light burning brightly. This responsibility is reflected in the determination of the sensible bridesmaids not to let their lamps go out. The foolish bridesmaids, on the other hand, have allowed themselves tom be distracted from what is really important in their lives.
Do I see my life mas a preparation to meet the Lord?
Do I nourish my life with prayer and the sacraments?
We pray form those who have lost their way on the journey of life.
We ask for a deeper appreciation of the gifts the Lord bestows on us.
Fr Adrian Graffy