Bible Diary 2008 : Readings & Commentaries

BIBLE DIARY 2008
Readings and Commentaries

November 2008
Sunday	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday
						1 All Saints
2 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time All Souls	3 Martin de Porres (OM)	4 Charles Borromeo (M)	5	6	7	8
9 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time	10 Pope Leo the Great (M)	11 Martin of Tours (M)	12 Josaphat (M)	13 Frances Xavier Cabrini (M)	14	15 Albert the Great (OM)
16 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time	17	18 Dedication of the Churches of Peter and Paul, Apostles (OM)	19	20	21 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (M)	22 Cecilia (M)
23 Christ the King	24 Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions, martyrs (OM)	25	26	27	28	29
30 1st Sunday of Advent						F - Feast M - Memorial OM - Optional Memorial

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November 1
Saturday

All Saints

First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14

I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, carrying the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels empowered to harm the earth and the sea, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads."
Then I heard the number of those marked with the seal: a hundred and forty-four thousand from all the tribes of the people of Israel.
After this I saw a great crowd, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands, and they cried out with a loud voice, "Who saves but our God who sits on the throne and the Lamb?"
All the angels were around the throne, the elders and the four living creatures; they then bowed before the throne with their faces to the ground to worship God. They said,
Amen. Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen!
At that moment, one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these people clothed in white, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, it is you who know this."
The elder replied, "They are those who have come out of the great persecution; they have washed and made their clothes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3

See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet when he appears in his glory, we know that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope try to be pure as he is pure.

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:
"Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.
Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land.
Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.
Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.
Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you."

Commentary
A youngster was once asked what a saint was. Thinking of the beautiful stained glass windows in her parish church, she responded, "A saint is someone whom the light shines through." How simple, yet how profound her response!
Jesus proposes a way of life based upon the simplicity of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. If we are to be holy, if we are to be saints we must allow His light to permeate everything that we do and say. Therein will we find lasting happiness and peace, and so will the world find reason to hope.

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November 2
Sunday

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

First Reading: Wis 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them.
In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead. Their glory is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace.
Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope. After slight affliction will come great blessings, for God has tried them and found them worthy to be with him; after testing them as gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a holocaust.
At the time of his coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever.
Those who trust in him will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading: Rom 6:3-9

Don't you know that in baptism which unites us to Christ we are all baptized and plunged into his death. By this baptism in his death, we were buried with Christ and, as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Glory of the Father, so we begin walking in a new life. It was an image of his death when we were grafted in him, and so we will also share in his resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with Christ, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that we may no longer serve sin-if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that Christ, once risen from the dead, will not die again and death has no more dominion over him.

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:31-46

Jesus said to his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on the throne of his Glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"The King will say to those on his right: 'Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to see me.'
"Then the good people will ask him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food; thirsty and give you drink, or a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to see you?' The King will answer, 'Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to these little ones who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left: 'Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you did not give me anything to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not welcome me into your house; I was naked and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'"
"They, too, will ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or a stranger, sick or in prison, and did not help you?' The King will answer them: 'Truly, I say to you: whatever you did not do for one of these little ones, you did not do for me.'
"And these will go into eternal punishment, but the just to eternal life."

Commentary
The month of November is traditionally the time to remember the dead, especially the poor souls in purgatory. Though the just Judge has every reason to restrict admittance into heaven to those who are perfect, He mercifully grants to those who are not damned a time of purification or purgation so that they might be made ready for the glorious life of the saints in heaven.
We rightly pray for our loved ones and others who have died, that they might one day be raised up to the company of the saints, where they will pray for us to complete successfully the journey to heaven.

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November 3
Monday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
Martin de Porres

First Reading: Phil 2:1-4

If I may advise you in the name of Christ and if you can hear it as the voice of love; if we share the same spirit and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg of you make me very happy: have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit. On the contrary let each of you gently consider the others as more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but rather that of others.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:12-14

Jesus addressed the man who had invited him and said, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbors. For surely they will also invite you in return and you will be repaid. When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Fortunate are you then, because they can't repay you; you will be repaid at the Resurrection of the upright."

Commentary
The month of November is also a time to remember that we know neither the day nor the hour of our own death. In the Gospel, Jesus offers not simply advice for the banquet planner, but direction for life. Looking after the needs of others is a way of reciprocating for God's immeasurable generosity to us. We have received grace upon grace, and our proper response should be to extend kindness and mercy toward others.
Our actions of goodness toward the poor and less fortunate are seen by God as acts of goodness toward Him, and He will not be outdone in generosity.

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November 4
Tuesday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
Charles Borromeo

First Reading: Phil 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had:
Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in his appearance found as a man. He humbled himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:15-24

One of those at the table said to Jesus, "Happy are those who eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God!"
Jesus replied, "A man once gave a feast and invited many guests. When it was time for the feast he sent his servant to tell those he had invited to come, for everything was ready. But all alike began to make excuses. The first said: 'Please excuse me. I must go and see the piece of land I have just bought.' Another said: 'I am sorry, but I am on my way to try out the five yoke of oxen I have just bought.' Still another said, 'How can I come when I have just married?'
"The servant returned alone and reported this to his master. Upon hearing the account, the master of the house flew into a rage and ordered his servant: 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
"The servant reported after a while: 'Sir, your orders have been carried out, but there is still room.' The master said: 'Go out to the highways and country lanes and force people to come in, to make sure my house is full. I tell you, none of those invited will have a morsel of my feast."

Commentary
The Lord's will for the salvation of the human race is universal. He intends that all people should be saved, yet not at the expense of violating their free will. The Lord invites, but He does not compel, He summons but does not demand, such is His respect for our freedom.
A wise person is attentive to the will of the Lord and responds to His direction. The Lord desires only that we be with Him for all eternity, and He spares no expense to get us there, not even the blood of His Only Begotten Son.

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November 5
Wednesday

31st Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Phil 2:12-18

My dearest friends, as you always obeyed me while I was with you, even more now that I am far from you, continue working out your salvation "with fear and trembling." It is God who makes you not only wish but also carry out what pleases him. Do everything without grumbling, so that without fault or blame, you will be children of God without reproach among a crooked and perverse generation. You are a light among them, like stars in the universe, holding to the Word of life. I shall feel proud of you on the day of Christ on seeing that my effort and labor have not been in vain. And if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I rejoice and continue to share your joy; and you likewise should rejoice and share my joy.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:25-33

One day, when large crowds were walking along with Jesus, he turned and said to them, "If you come to me, without being ready to give up your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross cannot be my disciple.
"Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost to see whether you have enough to complete it? Otherwise, if you have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponent? And if not, while the other is still a long way off he sends messengers for peace talks. In the same way, none of you may become my disciple if he doesn't give up everything he has."

Commentary
Jesus wants us to be aware that following Him will cost us everything, as a decision to follow the Lord demands a complete realignment of our priorities. Taking up the cross is not an option when following Jesus.
For some, the cross means martyrdom, the shedding of one's blood in witness to the faith. For others it means suffering great hardships for the sake of the Gospel. For all of us it means self-denial and dedication to building up the Kingdom. Still, the Lord promises us that these sacrifices will pale in comparison with the reward that He has in store for us.
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November 6
Thursday

31st Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Phil 3:3-8a

We are the true circumcised people since we serve according to the Spirit of God, and our confidence is in Christ Jesus rather than in our merits.
I myself do not lack those human qualities in which people have confidence. If some of them seem to be accredited with such qualities, how much more am I! I was circumcised when eight days old. I was born of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; I am a Hebrew, born of Hebrews. With regard to the Law, I am a Pharisee, and such was my zeal for the Law that I persecuted the Church. As for being righteous according to the Law, I was blameless.
But once I found Christ, all those things that I might have considered as profit, I reckoned as loss. Still more, everything seems to me as nothing compared with the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake I have let everything fall away and I now consider all as garbage, if instead I may gain Christ.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 15:1-10

Tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, muttering. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus told them this parable:
"Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and seek out the lost one till he finds it? And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders? Then he will call his friends and neighbors together and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, just so, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent.
"What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp and sweep the house in a thorough search till she finds the lost coin? And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found the silver coin I lost!' I tell you, in the same way there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner."

Commentary
Sin pits us in opposition to God, but grace reconciles us to Him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes out in search of the lost sheep, entering into the human experience so as to bring us back to the fold. Separated from the shepherd the sheep faces hunger, thirst and the ravages of the wolves. Reunited with the shepherd the sheep knows only goodness and kindness.
Stubborn refusal to seek the Lord's forgiveness leaves us empty, alone and in danger. With Him is to be found life in abundance. May we poor sinners learn from that once lost sheep.

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November 7
Friday

31st Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Phil 3:17-4:1

Unite in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and look at those who walk in our way of life. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. I have said it to you many times, and now I repeat it with tears: they are heading for ruin; their belly is their god and they feel proud of what should be their shame. They only think of earthly things.
For us, our citizenship is in heaven, from where we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord. He will transfigure our lowly body, making it like his own body, radiant in Glory, through the power which is his to submit everything to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, you my glory and crown, be steadfast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 16:1-8

Jesus told his disciples, "There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service. He summoned the steward and asked him: 'What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.'
"The steward thought to himself: 'What am I to do now? My master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.'
"So he called his master's debtors one by one. He asked the first who came: 'How much do you owe my master?' The reply was: 'A hundred jars of oil.' The steward said: 'Here is your bill. Sit down quickly and write there fifty.' To the second he put the same question: 'How much do you owe?' The answer was: 'A thousand bushels of wheat.' Then he said: 'Take your bill and write eighty.'
"The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.

Commentary
The steward of the household enjoyed the trust and favor of his master. He could even collect a legitimate commission on all of his master's outstanding accounts. In going to his master's debtors, the ingenious steward eliminates his commission, making it much easier for the debtors to repay what they owe. The master smiles, because he will grow wealthier thanks to the initiative of the steward.
We are called to faithful stewardship of all that the Master has bestowed upon us. May we be intent upon making our Master proud of us by the wise and prudent use of His gifts.

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November 8
Saturday

31st Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Phil 4:10-19

I rejoice in the Lord because of your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. I do not say this because of being in want; I have learned to manage with what I have. I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
However you did right in sharing my trials. You Philippians, remember that in the beginning, when we first preached the Gospel, after I left Macedonia you alone opened for me a debit and credit account, and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.
It is not your gift that I value but rather the interest increasing in your own account. Now I have enough and more than enough with everything Epaphroditus brought me on your behalf and which I received as "fragrant of-ferings pleasing to God." God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 16:9-15

Jesus said to his disciples, "And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.
"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could entrust you with true wealth? And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. He said to them, "You do your best to be considered righteous by people. But God knows the heart, and what rises high among humans is loathed by God."

Commentary
A divided heart cannot serve the Lord. Money is important, for we cannot live without it. Yet money is only relatively important, for it cannot purchase the things that truly matter in life.
We are called to store up for ourselves treasure in heaven, the treasure that rust cannot tarnish nor moth destroy nor thief steal away. So often the love of money distorts our sense of what is important and distracts us from what will bring us closer to the Lord. May our generous sharing of our material possessions serve to protect us against an undue attachment to our material possessions.

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November 9
Sunday

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

First Reading: Ezk 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the Temple and flowing eastwards. The Temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the Temple, from the south side of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing the east and there I saw the stream coming from the south side.
He said to me, "This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become wholesome. Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful and the sea water will become fresh. Wherever it flows, life will abound.
Near the river on both banks there will be all kinds of fruit trees with foliage that will not wither and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a fresh crop because the water comes from the Temple. The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 46:3, 4, 5-6, 8, 11
The waters of the river gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.

Second Reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17

We are fellow-workers with God, but you are God's field and building.
I, as a good architect, according to the capacity given to me, I laid the foundation and another is to build upon it. Each one must be careful how to build upon it. No one can lay a foundation other than the one which already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Do you know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit abides within you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. God's temple is holy, and you are this temple.

Gospel Reading: Jn 2:13-22

As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple court, together with the oxen and sheep. He knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, "Take all this away and stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!"
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your House devours me as a fire.
The Jews then questioned Jesus, "Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?" And Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then replied, "The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?"
Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body. Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

Commentary
The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
The church building whose dedication we celebrate is not as important as the reality that it symbolizes. Every church building, however large or small, is a symbol of the Body of Christ, the Church, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, the apostles as the pillars, and each member as a living stone that together comprise the edifice. May our celebration today draw us closer to the Lord Jesus, the One who promises us that the Church will prevail even against the gates of hell.

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November 10
Monday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Leo the Great

First Reading: Tit 1:1-9

From Paul, servant of God, apostle of Christ Jesus, at the service of God's chosen people, so that they may believe and reach the knowledge of truth and godliness.
The eternal life we are waiting for was promised from the very beginning by God who never lies, and as the appointed time had come, he made it known through the message entrusted to me by a command of God, our Savior.
Greetings to you, Titus, my true son in the faith we share. May grace and peace be with you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I left you in Crete because I wanted you to put right what was defective and appoint elders in every town, following my instructions. They must be blameless, married only once, whose children are believers and not open to the charge of being immoral and rebellious. Since the overseer (or bishop) is the steward of God's house, he must be beyond reproach: not proud, hot-headed, over-fond of wine, quarrelsome or greedy for gain.
On the contrary he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, wise, upright, devout and self-controlled. He must hold to the message of faith just as it was taught, so that, in his turn, he may teach sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples, "Scandals will necessarily come and cause people to fall; but woe to the one who has brought it about. It would be better for that one to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around the neck. Truly this would be better for that person than to cause one of these little ones to fall.
"Be careful. If your brother offends you, rebuke him and if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he offends you seven times in a day but says to you seven times: 'I'm sorry,' forgive him."
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." And the Lord said, "If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree: 'Be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea,' and it will obey you."

Commentary
The word scandal is from the Greek word that means stumbling block. Jesus utters stern words to those who cause others to stumble and lose progress along the road to eternal life.
Failing to forgive can cause others to stumble. Our Lord has been so generous in shedding His blood so that our sins will be forgiven, yet we sometimes cling to the most petty of grudges. This should not be so for a follower of Jesus, for we should quickly and repeatedly extend mercy and forgiveness to those who have trespassed against us

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November 11
Tuesday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Martin of Tours

First Reading: Tit 2:1-8, 11-14

Let your words strengthen sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be sober, serious, wise, sound in faith, love and perseverance.
The older women in like manner must behave as befits holy women, not given to gossiping or drinking wine, but as good counselors, able to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, to be judicious and chaste, to take care of their households, to be kind and submissive to their husbands, lest our faith be attacked.
Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Set them an example by your own way of doing. Let your teaching be earnest and sincere, and your preaching beyond reproach. Then your opponents will feel ashamed and will have nothing to criticize.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life and worldly greed, and to live in this world as responsible persons, up-right and serving God, while we await our blessed hope-the glorious manifestation of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own and dedicated to what is good.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 37:3-4, 8 and 23, 27 and 29
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:7-10

Jesus said to his disciples, "Who among you would say to your servant coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep: 'Come at once and sit down at table'? No, you tell him: 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink afterwards.' Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded? So for you. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say: 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.'"

Commentary
Humility is the hallmark of a follower of Jesus. A humble person is not concerned with getting credit for every good deed done, nor does he clamor for the spotlight when doing good. The humble disciple knows that the honor and glory belong to the Lord Jesus, who braved the cross so as to open for us the gates of heaven.
Doing one's duty might not seem glamorous, but the one who is close to the Lord considers it his privilege, for to serve the Lord is the greatest honor that anyone could possibly have in this life.

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November 12
Wednesday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Josaphat

First Reading: Tit 3:1-7

Remind the believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready for every good work. Tell them to insult no one; they must not be quarrelsome but gentle and understanding with everyone.
We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient and misled. We were slaves of our desires, seeking pleasures of every kind. We lived in malice and envy, hateful and hating each other. But God our Savior revealed his eminent goodness and love for humankind and saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy, to the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit poured over us through Christ Jesus our Savior, so that having been justified of his grace we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:11-19

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the border between Samaria and Galilee, and as he entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him. Keeping their distance, they called to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Then Jesus said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Now, as they went their way, they found they were cured. One of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus said, "Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this alien?" And Jesus said to him, "Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you."

Commentary
Gratitude is the womb of joy, for it is impossible to be both grateful and unhappy at the same time. The leper who returns to give thanks to the Lord is a model for us as we strive to remember the good things the Lord has done for us, and to thank Him daily for all of His wonderful blessings.
Whenever we get feeling down we can do no better than to count our blessings and offer a sincere prayer of thanks to the Lord. One specific act of gratitude can make a tremendous difference in our outlook on life.

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November 13
Thursday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Frances Xavier Cabrini

First Reading: Phlm 7-20

I had great satisfaction and comfort on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother.
Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command what you should do, yet I prefer to request you in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now prisoner for Christ. And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.
This Onesimus has not been helpful to you, but now he will be helpful both to you and to me. In returning him to you, I am sending you my own heart. I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me on your behalf while I am in prison for the Gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.
Perhaps Onesimus has been parted from you for a while so that you may have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but better than a slave. For he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even dearer to you. And so, because of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself. And if he has caused any harm, or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it… without further mention of your debt to me, which is you yourself. So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this comfort in Christ.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:20-25

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. He answered, "The kingdom of God is not like something you can observe and say of it: 'Look, here it is! There it is!' See, the kingdom of God is among you."
And Jesus said to his disciples, "The time is at hand when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Then people will tell you: 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go, do not follow them. As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this people."

Commentary
Many expected the Messiah to bring about an end to Roman occupation and the establishment of a temporal kingdom. Jesus says that is not what the Messiah will do. Rather, Jesus says, the Kingdom of God comes from within, from the victory of the Messiah over the powers of sin and death, a victory that will come not without a tremendous amount of suffering on the part of the Messiah, the Christ.
The kingdom envisioned by the Pharisees would have been miniscule compared with the universal and eternal Kingdom of God established through the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord.

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November 14
Friday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time

First Reading: 2 Jn 4-9

I rejoiced greatly on meeting some of your children who live in accordance with the truth, according to the command we have received from the Father. And now, I ask you, Lady-I write to you not a new commandment but that which we had from the beginning-I ask you: let us love one another.
This is love: to walk according to his commandments. And this is the commandment: that you walk in love as you have learned from the beginning.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ who came in the flesh. They are impostors and antichrists. Take care of yourselves that you do not lose the fruit of your labors, but receive a perfect reward. Everyone who goes beyond and does not remain within the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:1, 2, 10, 11, 17, 18
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:26-37

Jesus said to his disciples, "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be on the day the Son of Man comes. Then people ate and drank; they took husbands and wives. But on the day Noah entered the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. Just as it was in the days of Lot: people ate and drank, they bought and sold, planted and built. But on the day Lot left Sodom, God made fire and sulfur rain down from heaven which destroyed them all. So will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
"On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don't go down into the house to get your belongings, and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again.
"I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it may be that one will be taken and the other left. Though two women are grinding corn together, one may be taken and the other left."
Then they asked Jesus, "Where will this take place, Lord?" And he answered, "Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather."

Commentary
The Lord paints a frightening picture of the day the Son of Man comes. The Second Coming of the Lord will be the end of this world as we know it, and the inauguration of the fullness of the Kingdom. This great and terrible day will see the universal judgment, when humanity will see the final reckoning of all accounts.
We pray for the coming of the Kingdom every time we say the Lord's Prayer. We pray that the Lord will keep us steadfast on the path of life, so that on the Day of Judgment we will not be found wanting.

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November 15
Saturday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Albert the Great

First Reading: 3 Jn 5-8

Beloved, you do well to care for the brothers and sisters as you do. I mean those coming from other places. They spoke of your charity before the assembled Church. It will be well to provide them with what they need to continue their journey, as if you did it for God. In reality, they have set out on the road for his name without accepting anything from the pagans. We should receive such persons, making ourselves their cooperators in the work of the truth.?

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 18:1-8

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should pray continually and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor people. In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, saying: 'Defend my rights against my opponent.' For a time he refused, but finally he thought: 'Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out."
And Jesus explained, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Commentary
God might seem to delay, but He is always on time. We persevere in our prayer not because God is not hearing us, but because we are always in need of being conformed to the will of God. We keep praying for what we need not because God is stubborn, but because our hearts need to express our dependence upon the Lord for everything that is good.
Prayer opens the heart and lifts up the soul to the Lord. Prayer expresses and deepens our faith in the Lord in whom we can place all of our trust.

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November 16
Sunday

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Pro 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.
Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.
She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.
She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.
She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.
She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6

Brothers and sisters, you do not need anyone to write to you about the delay and the appointed time for these events. You know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people feel secure and at peace, the disaster will suddenly come upon them as the birth pangs of a woman in labor, and they will not escape.
But you, beloved, are not in dark-ness; so that day will not surprise you like a thief. All of you are citizens of the light and the day; we do not belong to night and darkness. Let us not, therefore, sleep as others do, but remain alert and sober.

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:14-30

Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a third, each one according to his ability; and he went away.
"He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. The one who received two did the same and gained another two. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master's money.
"After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying: 'Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five more with them.' The master answered: 'Very well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
"Then the one who had two talents came and said: 'Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; I have two more which I gained with them.' The master said: 'Well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
"Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said: 'Master, I know that you are an exacting man. You reap what you have not sown and gather what you have not invested. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours.' But his master replied: 'Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not invested. Then you should have deposited my money in the bank, and you would have given it back to me with interest on my return.
"'Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into the dark where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

Commentary
A talent was an ancient coin of great value. In fact, a person who had even one talent possessed great buying power. There was nothing that could stop such a person from making a good profit with the single talent, save only for his own fear. Indeed, the servant's fear paralyzed him, and he failed to measure up to the master's trust.
The Lord has entrusted us with so much, and He rightfully expects much from us in return. May our fear never get the better of us. Rather, may we win the Master's praise for our good stewardship of His many gifts.

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November 17
Monday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Elizabeth of Hungary

First Reading: Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
God gave it to him to let his servants know what is soon to take place.
He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John,
who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God and the declaration of Jesus Christ.
Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words,
and happy those who hear them and treasure everything written here,
for the time is near.
From John to the seven Churches of Asia:
receive grace and peace from him who is, who was and who is to come,
and from the seven Spirits of God which are before his throne.
Write this to the angel of the Church in Ephesus, "Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands: