THURSDAY- 30^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

All Saints Day, 1st November

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12:

I Reading: Revelation 7:2-4,9-14:

II Reading: 1John 3:1-3:

The True Disciple: Who He is and His Reward (The Beatitudes), Mt 5:1-12

The Beatitudes of our Lord are powerful, holding before the world a descriptive picture of the true disciple of God. Seldom people have been spoken with so much meaning in the history of the world.

The Beatitudes cover the glorious hope and reward the believer can expect, now as well as in eternity.

1. Jesus saw crowds (v.1-2)

a. Setting: Mountain

b. Posture: Set-Ready

c. Audience: Disciples

d. Purpose: To teach and prepare

e. Blessed

2. The poor in spirit: Given the kingdom of Heaven (v.3)

3. Those who mourn: Comforted

4. The meek: Inherit the earth (v.5)

5. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: Filled (v.6)

6. The merciful: Obtain mercy (v.7)

7. The pure in heart: See God (v. 8)

8. The peacemakers: Called the children of God (v.9)

9. The persecuted: Given the kingdom of Heaven (v.10-12)

a. The persecution

          1) Reviled and insulted

          2) Slandered and lied against

          3) Persecuted and hurt

b. The behaviour expected: Joy

c. The reason for joy

          1) Great reward

          2) Great examples: The prophets

Thought: Being filled means “to be filled with the Spirit” or “to be led by the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…”(Gal 5:22-23).

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WEDNESDAY- 30^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 13:20-30: Men from east and west will come to take their places in the kingdom of God.

I Reading: Ephesians 6:1-9: Not as if only to please men, but because you are slaves of Christ.

The Saved Discussed, Lk 13:22-30

Who are the saved? Will many be saved? Jesus Christ answers these questions in this passage. He answers them to challenge us so that we will make sure we are saved.

1. Jesus journey toward Jerusalem (v.22-23)

a. Taught in the cities and villages

b. Along the way someone questioned Jesus about salvation

2. The saved make every effort to enter the narrow door (v.24)

3. The saved act soon enough: A man can move too late (v.25)

4. The saved are not the citizens of so-called Christian nations nor members of certain fellowships (v.26)

5. The saved shall be separated from the lost, and the lost shall see them enter God’s kingdom (v.27-28)

6. The saved will come from all nations and classes of society (v.29-30)

Thought: Birth and ritual are not enough to save a person (circumcision and baptism) but those who seek after the Lord for personal salvation or community salvation and do the will of God.

TUESDAY- 30^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 13:18-21: The Seed grew and become a tree.

I Reading: Ephesians 5:21-33: This mystery has many implications for Christ and the Church.

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and Yeast (Leaven): The Kingdom of God, Lk 13:18-21

Jesus taught about the kingdom of God through this parable which people needed to understand fully.

1. The kingdom of God illustrated (v.17)

2. it is like a mustard seed (v.19)

a. it is planted by God

          1) a seed

          2) in His garden

b. it grows to be great

c. it is lodging for all

3. It is like yeast (leaven) working in bread (v.20-21)

a. it is taken and placed in meal

b. it works until the whole is changed

Thought: The purpose of the kingdom is to work like yeast, that is, to change the whole an individual and of society itself.

The kingdom or gospel is deliberately taken and placed into the world. The kingdom and the gospel of God  are not by chance.

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MONDAY- 30^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 13: 10-17: This woman, a daughter of Abraham-was it not right to untie her bonds on the Sabbath day?

I Reading: Ephesians 4: 32-5:8: Follow Christ by loving as he loved you.

People vs. Religion: Which is more important? Lk 13:10-17

We should not place any religion before human’s real need. Every human person is very important and above all things in the world. Jesus met the needs of the woman who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years and He healed her completely on Sabbath day.

1. Jesus taught in the Synagogue on the Sabbath (v.10)

2. The woman was a worshipper of God (v.11-13)

a. She was worshipping

b. She had a curvature of the spine

c. She was seen and called by Jesus

d. She received Jesus’ word and touch

e. She glorified God  first

3. The ruler (religionist) was a worshipper of God (v.14-16)

a. He became angry with the people

b. He corrupted God’s word

c. He rejected Christ

d. He was hypocritical

          1) He placed animals above people

          2) He placed religion above people

4. The effect of Jesus’ works and words (v.17)

a. The opponents: were humiliated

b. The crowds: Rejoiced

Thought: Jesus was worshipping on the Sabbath, doing exactly what He should have been doing. She sought to draw near the Lord for deliverance, whereas the man only practiced his ceremony and ritual.

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SUNDAY- 30^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Mark 10:46-52: Master, let me see again.

I Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-9: I will comfort the blind and the lame as I lead them back.

II Reading: Hebrews 5:1-6: You are a priest of the order of Melchizedek, and forever.

The Steps for Getting Help: Blind Bartimaeus, Mk 10:46-52

Jesus helped the blind man who was desperately in need. The need may be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual; it may be some problem with the mind, some desperate loneliness. This passage spells out the steps for getting help.

1. Jesus in Jericho (v.46)

a. the disciples and the crowd

b. a blind man sat begging

2. Step 1: Believing the reports about Jesus (v.47)

3. Step 2: Acknowledging personal need (v.47)

4. Step 3: Persisting, persevering after Jesus (v.48)

5. Step 4: Eagerly expecting to receive Jesus’ help (v.49-50)

a. Jesus stopped and then he called to the man

b. The man threw aside the impeding cloak

6. Step 5: Requesting precisely what is needed (51-52)

7. Step 6: Following Jesus (v.52)

Thought: A person must go where he/she knows Jesus is, where Jesus “passes by”. A person must go where he/she can hear Jesus, or he/she may miss the chance of eternal life.

Bartimaeus believed on the reports and testimony about Jesus. Perseverance is the answer to desperate need-persevering prayer and persevering faith (Mt 7:7; Lk 11:5-10).

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SATURDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 13:1-9: Unless you repent you will all perish as they did.

I Reading: Ephesians 4:7-16: Christ is the Head by whom the whole body grows.

The Truth about Suffering and Sin: The Great Need for All to Repent, Lk 13:1-9

Why do people suffer? Most people think their suffering is due to some great sin they have committed and that God is punishing them because they have been such great sinners. But Christ gave the new and true meaning to suffering in life.

1. Men do don’t suffer because they are greater sinners than others (v.1-5)

a. Event 1: The latest news of a horrible murderous event

          1) did not suffer because they were great sinners

          2) all must repent or perish

b. Event 2: The latest news of a terrible tragedy

          1) did not suffer because they were great sinners

          2) all must repent or perish

2. Men must bear fruit or else they will perish (v.6-9)

a. The fig tree’s privilege: in the vineyard

b. The fig tree’s purpose: to bear fruit

c. The day for reaping came  

          1) found no fruit

          2) found that the tree was using up space on the ground and producing nothing

d. The mercy of God

          1) gave another chance

          2) fertilized and fed

e. The judgement was based on fruit

Thought: Suffering is not always due to greater sins but a mystery.

(Mt 7:4; Acts 28:4; 1Cor 1:3-11; Rom 3:1-18; Gal 5:19-21)

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FRIDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:54-59: You know how to interpret the face of the earth and sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

I Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6: One Body, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.

The Three Gross Misconceptions of Man, 12:49-59

Jesus covered two gross misconceptions of man.

1. Misconception 1: The Messiah has not yet come (v.54-57)

a. Truth 1: people discern the weather, i.e. earthly events

b. Truth 2: people do not discern the signs of times, the Messianic age

c. Truth 3: people do not discern spiritual matters

2. Misconception 2: Men have no need to make peace with God (v.58-59)

a. Truth 1: people have a bad case before God, the judge

b. Truth 2: the time is urgent-“try hard”

c. Truth 3: The surety of payment, that is judgement

Thought: The believer is to love God first and foremost then his/her family.

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THURSDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:49-53: I am here not to bring peace but division.

I Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21: Now you have been set free from sin, you have been made slaves of God.

The Three Gross Misconceptions of Man, 12:49-59

Jesus covered three gross misconceptions of man.

1. Misconception 1: The Messiah was to bring peace on earth (v.49-53)

a. Truth 1: He came to bring judgement

b. Truth 2: He came to suffer and die

c. Truth 3: He came to bring division

2. Misconception 2: The Messiah has not yet come (v.54-57)

a. Truth 1: people discern the weather, i.e. earthly events

b. Truth 2: people do not discern the signs of times, the Messianic age

c. Truth 3: people do not discern spiritual matters

3. Misconception 3: Men have no need to make peace with God (v.58-59)

a. Truth 1: people have a bad case before God, the judge

b. Truth 2: the time is urgent-“try hard”

c. Truth 3: The surety of payment, that is judgement

Thought: The believer is to love God first and foremost then his/her family.

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WEDNESDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:39-48: When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him.

I Reading: Ephesians 3: 2-12: The ministry of Christ has now been revealed and the same promise has been made to the pagans.

The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Manager: A Strong Warning-Be Prepared, Lk 12:35-48

Jesus was still dealing with wealth, riches, plenty and covetousness. The believer’s mind is to be upon purity of life and service, not upon possessions and cares of this world. Jesus strongly warned: be prepared.

2. The parable of the manager (v.41-48)

a. there is Peter’s question

b. there is a faithful and wise manager

          1) he is a manager

          2) he is a servant

          3) he is found “doing” serving faithfully

          4) he is to be rewarded: made a ruler, put in charge

c. there is an unfaithful and unwise manager

          1) he says there is “plenty of time”

          2) he does his own will, his own thing

          3) he is to be judged with the unbelievers

d. there is the unfaithful manager identified

          1) the first class of unfaithful managers: sinned deliberately-knew the Lord’s will

          2) the second class of unfaithful managers: sinned in ignorance-did not know the Lord’s will

          3) the principal of judgement: having much requires giving much

Thought: People who do not know the Lord’s will, will not prepare themselves faithfully to love and serve the Lord.

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TUESDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:35-38: Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes.

I Reading: Ephesians 2: 12-22: Christ is the peace between us and has made the two into one.

The Parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Manager: A Strong Warning-Be Prepared, Lk 12:35-38

Jesus was still dealing with wealth, riches, plenty and covetousness. The believer’s mind is to be upon purity of life and service, not upon possessions and cares of this world. Jesus strongly warned: be prepared.

1. The charge: be watching-be ready for the Lord’s return (v.35-40)

a. because the Lord is returning

b. because you will be saved by Christ himself

c. because you will be blessed (it will be good for you)

d. because Christ will come suddenly and unexpectedly

e. because Christ will come when last expected

2. The parable of the manager (v.41-48)

a. there is Peter’s question

b. there is a faithful and wise manager

          1) he is a manager

          2) he is a servant

          3) he is found “doing” serving faithfully

          4) he is to be rewarded: made a ruler, put in charge

c. there is an unfaithful and unwise manager

          1) he says there is “plenty of time”

          2) he does his own will, his own thing

          3) he is to be judged with the unbelievers

d. there is the unfaithful manager identified

          1) the first class of unfaithful managers: sinned deliberately-knew the Lord’s will

          2) the second class of unfaithful managers: sinned in ignorance-did not know the Lord’s will

          3) the principal of judgement: having much requires giving much

Thought: A person must open his or her heart immediately when Jesus comes.

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MONDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:13-21: This hoard of yours, whose will it be?

I Reading: Ephesians 2:1-10: God brought us to life with Christ and gave us a place with him in heaven.

The Parable of the Rich Fool: The Man of Wealth and What He Should Fear, Lk 12:13-21

The man of wealth is often self –sufficient, but there are some things he needs to fear.

1. A request for Jesus to give a judicial decision (v.13-14)

a. Brother’s desire for an inheritance and wealth

b. Jesus’ stern refusal

2. Fear this: Life does not consists in things (v.15-19)

a. The serious charge: watch out! Beware

b. The big sin: Greed or covetousness

c. The big “I” (6 times, 16-19): aggressively self-centred

d. The big mistake: self-indulgence and extravagant living

3. Fear this: your life may be required and demanded tonight (v.20)

4. Fear this: wealth is not a permanent possession-someone else gets it (v.20-21)

Thought: Greed-Covetousness (pleonexia): a craving, a desire for more. It is greediness, a dissatisfaction with what is enough. It includes for both material things and fleshly indulgence. It is desiring what belongs to others; snatching at something that belongs to others; a love of having, a cry of give me, give (2Pet 2:14; Mt 6:19-21, 24; 16:26; Eph 5:3-5)

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SUNDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Mark 10:35-45: The Son of Man came to give his life as a ransom for many.

I Reading: Isaiah 53:10-11: If he offers his life in atonement, he shall see his heirs, he shall have a long life.

II Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16:Let us be confident in approaching the throne of grace.

The Problem of Ambition, Mk 10:35-45

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem where his death and resurrection were to take place. We, who live today, know what Jesus meant by his death and resurrection. He was to die for our sins and be raised again to impart new life to us. But the disciples did not now this. James and John were assuring themselves of key positions in Jesus’ government. But Jesus taught them how to be a follower to continue his mission not through power or position but through sacrifice/suffering and service.

1. The deceitful of wrong ambition (v.35)

a. a secret approach

b. un unlimited request

2. The possible motives for ambition (v.36-37)

a. favouritism and wealth

b. power and social status

c. love, faith, loyalty

3. The great price of ambition (v.38-39)

a. the cup: sacrifice and suffering

b. the baptism: immersed and submerged

c. the prophecy: the certainty of paying the price

4. the exclusive right of God regarding ambition (v.40)

5. The potential conflict among men with ambition (v.41)

6. The greatness of good ambition (42-44)

a. not to rule, not to exercise authority

b. to be a servant

c. to be a slave, a bond-slave

7. The supreme example of ambition (v.45)

a. supreme humiliation

b. supreme mission

c. supreme price

Thought: Selfish ambition can cause some terrible  things among people. It can cause...jealousy, suffering, sneakiness, bitterness, bitterness, death, self-centeredness, hatred, envy, divisiveness, conflict, anger, destruction etc.

(Mt 23:12, Prov 17:19).

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SATURDAY- 28^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:8-12: Every hair on your head has been counted.

I Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23: God has made Christ the head of the Church, which is his body.

The Things Men should Fear, Lk 12:1-12

There are things to fear in life, some are very serious. There is difference between what people usually fear and what God says to fear. If people trust in God they should be afraid of anything in life. Jesus said to fear about one thing that is hypocrisy in life.

1. Message 2: To the friends of Christ-what to fear (4-12)

a. do not fear men, but God and God alone

b. do not fear the lack of necessities: God cares

c. fear the spirit of disloyalty, of denying Christ

d. fear the unpardonable sin: not believing in the power of God and forgiveness of Jesus is the sin against the Holy Spirit is known as unpardonable sin.

e. do not fear persecution and trails: The Holy Spirit empowers

Thought: We should be hungry for the Word of God that we flock to His preaching (good news) and believe in the power and forgiveness of Jesus for our salvation. God is to be feared always but not men or women.

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