22^nd  Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3: 17-20.28-29: Behave humbly, and then you will find favour with the Lord.

II Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19.22-24: You have to come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God.

Gospel: Luke 14:1.7-14: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbled will be exalted.

The Importance of Humility, Lk 14:7-14

Our community prayer or Sunday gathering or any celebration should be a gathering and celebration of joy and not of fear (Exodus 20:19-The Israelites pleaded Moses when God was speaking at the thunder, lightning, trumpet blasting and the mount smoking) “Speak to us yourself and we shall listen; but do not let God speak to us, or we shall die.”

Our Sunday service is a banquet which Jesus Christ, personally prepares for us with love for the Christian community, and Luke wanted his Christians to realise the following:

We are the poor whom Jesus invites. We are poor both materially and spiritually.

We are the lame and the cripple, incapable of walking along the way to heaven; Jesus comes on Sunday gathering to give us a helping hand to reach there.

We are the blind people, whose spiritual eyesight Jesus restored at Baptism and he helps us to see God and makes us to understand the plan of God.

Who will accept such a great invitation of Jesus Christ?

Only the truly humble accept Jesus Christ’s invitation to the banquet of God’s kingdom. The Sunday service should help us to grow in humility, by helping us realise our own weakness, sinfulness and total unworthiness of being admitted into God’s kingdom. The proud person thinks only of what he/she thinks him/herself to be. In a way he/she becomes his/her own idol and worships him/herself. The proud person does not serve God and he forgets his neighbour; no one really counts, except himself (Si 3:28). There is no person as wise, as powerful and as holy as Jesus (you alone are the Lord in Gloria we sing, Rev. 19:16-“The king of kings and the Lord of lords.” Yet Jesus Christ is so humble even unto death (Phil 2:6-8). Jesus spent his life at the service of his Father and of humankind.

We must attend Sunday service with humility. This is what Jesus taught his disciples at the Last Supper; “I have given you an example so that you may copy what I have done to you” (Jn 13:15) vs. 1Cor 11:17-18.

Finally our Sunday service must lead us to put ourselves at the service of our brothers and sisters in the community especially the poor in the society.

Jesus taught the importance of humility in this passage.

1. Jesus attended a banquet (v.7)

a. He noticed some choosing the best seats

b. He shared a parable

2. The parable: The ambitious guest (v.8-10)

a. The first man: Seeks the place of honour

          1) Is displaced

          2) Finds all other seats already taken

          3) Has to take the lowest seat

          4) Is embarrassed

b. The second man: Takes the lowest place of honour

          1) Is acknowledged

          2) Is rewarded with a higher position

          3) Is honoured by all

3.The parable’s point (v.11)

a. Self-exaltation humbles

b. Humility exalts

4. The demonstration of humility (v.12-14)

a. Humility is not serving those who can repay

b. Humility is serving those who are needy and cannot repay

c. Humility shall be rewarded

Thought: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (James 4:10). Humility is a problem to most people. Why? Because the world looks upon humility as a sign of weakness and corwardice.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Saturday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12: Young have learnt from God yourselves to love one another.

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30: You have shown you can be faithful in small things, come and join in your master’s happiness.

The Parable of the Talents: The Believer’s Duty to Work

Jesus was teaching a much needed lesson: we must be faithful and diligent.

1. The Lord went on a journey (v.14)

2. The Lord entrusted his property to his servants (v.14-15)

a. Called his servant

b. Gave each servant a different portion

c. Gave each servant according to his ability

3. The servants treated the Lord’s goods differently (v.16-18)

a. Two were responsible: Immediately worked

          1) Were faithful and diligent

          2) Were successful

b. One was irresponsible: Did not try

4. The day of settling accounts came (v.19)

a. After a long time

b. The Lord returned

5. The reward for work well done: More work to do (v.20-23)

a. The first servant

          1) Acknowledged God’s gifts and grace

          2) Laboured 100% for the Lord

          3) Was commended and given a great reward: Rulership and joy

b. The second servant

          1) Acknowledged God’s gifts and grace

          2) Laboured 100% for the Lord

          3) Was commended and given a great reward: Rulership and joy

6. The punishment for work not done: Stripping and separation (v.24-30)

a. The servant’s reasons for not working

          1) He misunderstood God: Thought God was too demanding

          2) He feared loss while on earth

b. God’s reasons for condemning the servant

          1) He was wicket and lazy

          2) He was inconsistent

          3) He failed to use his gift

c. The judgement

          1) He was stripped of what he had

          2) He was thrown into the darkness

Thought: Every person or believer has at least one gift (1Cor 12:11; Rom 12:4-9; 1Cor 12:4-30). We must always remember this and must work hard faithfully and diligently.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Friday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8: What God wants is for you all to be holy.

Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13: The Bridegroom is here! Go out and meet him.

The Parable of the Ten Virgins: The Warning to Watch

The believer must watch for the Lord’s return, and he/she must be wise and not foolish in watching (Mt 24:42). This is the point of Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins, five foolish and five wise.

·       The bridegroom is Jesus Christ himself

·       The virgins are believers, all professors of religions

·       The five wise virgins are genuine believers

·       The five foolish virgins are false believers, those who have false profession

·       The lamps represent the lives, that is, the testimony, the witness, the heart, and the profession of the virgins (professing believers)

·       The oil is the provision of righteousness, the supply of the Holy Spirit that is to fill the lamps (lives) of the professing believers

The parable is the dramatic picture of all professing believers, both the wise and the foolish, when the Lord returns.

1. Describes the kingdom of heaven (v.1)

2. There are wise and foolish virgins (believers) who attend a wedding (v.1-4)

a. Five are wise: Five are foolish

b. The foolish take no oil for their lamps: Provision and supply

c. The wise take oil for their lamps: Provision and supply

3. There is a long delay waiting for the bridegroom: All are drowsy and sleep (v.5)

4. There is a great summons When he comes (v.6-9)

a. A surprise: Midnight

b. A cry: Come-meet him

c. The awakening: Prepare their lamps

d. The foolish discover their lamps are out: Frantic-beg for oil

e. The wise scarcely have enough for themselves

5. There is the bridegroom’s return and the gathering of the wise (v.10)

6. There is a shut door to the foolish (v.10-12)

a. The door was shut

b. The foolish cry for entry

c. The foolish will be rejected

7. The point: We must watch and expect the Lord’s return at any moment (v.13)

Thought: Wise is the correct word to call the person who secures additional oil (righteousness=one who always depends on God) to enter into heaven (2Cor 5:21; Eph 4:24).

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Thursday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13: May the Lord be generous in increasing your love and make you love one another and the whole human race.

Gospel: Matthew 24:42-51: Stand ready.

The Lord’s Return and the Believer’s Duty:

Watch-Be Ready-Be Faithful and Wise, Mt 24:42-51

This was Jesus’ last week on earth so he taught his disciples and people with regard to the Lord’s return and believers’ watchfulness and faithfulness till the end of life. When will be the temple (Jerusalem) be destroyed? (v.3) (see Mt 24:1-25:46)

Jesus had just answered the disciples’ questions. Since he would be returning to earth and God wanted the hour to be kept secret, what was the believer to do? How was the believer to live? What was the believer’s duty? Jesus answered these questions in one forceful warning: “Keep watch!” then he shared three parables to explain what he meant by the strong exhortation, “Keep watch!”

1. The believer’s duty: Watch (v.42)

a. The Lord does return

b. Exact time unknown

2. Parable 1: The owner of the house (a professing believer) (v.43-44)

a. He had a house to look after

b. He lived without watchfulness

c. He suffered disaster

d. The point: Readiness is essential, for Christ

3. Parable 2: A faithful and wise servant (a genuine believer) (v.45-47)

a. His responsibility: To oversee and feed

b. His accountability: Is faithful

c. His reward: Put in charge

4. Parable 3: A wicket servant (v.48-51)

a. His attitude: Plenty of time

b. His behaviour: Acts unjustly worldly

c. His judgement: He is doomed

          1) The Lord catches him unexpectedly

          2) The condemns him to death-with the hypocrites

Thought: The Lord’s return is imminent. This is the point. We must stay alert and be diligent in looking his return-today! Every person is responsible for his or her life.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Wednesday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13: Slaving night and day, we were proclaiming the Good News to you.

Gospel: Matthew 23:27-32: You are the sons of those who murdered the prophets.

The Eight Accusations against False Religionists, Mt 23:13-36

Jesus attacked and denounced the false religionists (The Scribes and the Pharisees) frankly and openly. He exposed their hypocrisy and inner hearts and minds which were corrupted and doomed to hell. Jesus levelled eight accusations against the religionists.

1. False religionists disguise inner decay (v.27-28)

a. Illustration: They are like white tombs

          1) Outward: appear clean and beautiful

          2) Inward: full of death and uncleanness

b. Their wrong

          1) Outward: appear righteous

          2) Inward: full of hypocrisy and wickedness

2. False religionists pride themselves in a godly heritage (v.29-33)

a. Honour the relics of the past

b. Denounce the former abuses

c. Pride themselves in being better: would not have committed such sins

d. Testify against themselves (by rejecting Christ)

          1) Show themselves to be descendants of murderers

          2) Fill up the father’s cup of murder

e. Result: have become snakes, vipers-doomed to hell

Thought: False religion is the most beautiful and deadly tomb among people. It leads to the eternal death of people’s spirits. God shall judge the sinful hearts those who reject the prophets and the teachings of God.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Tuesday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8: We were eager to hand over to you not only the Good News but our whole lives as well.

Gospel: Matthew 23:23-26: You should have practised these matters of the Law, without neglecting the others!

The Eight Accusations against False Religionists, Mt 23:13-36

Jesus attacked and denounced the false religionists frankly and openly. He exposed their hypocrisy and inner hearts and minds which were corrupted and doomed to hell. Jesus levelled eight accusations against the religionists.

1. False religionists stress the lighter commandments and neglect the important ones (v.23-24)

a. They stress the lighter duties and neglect the more important duties

b. They avoid the lesser sins and commit the greater sins

2. False religionists are blind to real cleanness (v.25-26)

a. Their outside appears clean

b. Their insides are full of greed and self-indulgence

c. Their need: First clean the inside; then the outside will be clean 

Thought: The false religionists (The Scribes and the Pharisees) fail at justice, mercy and good faith.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Monday: 21^st Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5.8-10: You broke with idolatry when you were converted to God and you are waiting for his Son, whom he raised from the dead.

Gospel: Matthew 23:13-22: Alas for you, blind guides!

The Eight Accusations against False Religionists, Mt 23:13-36

Jesus attacked and denounced the false religionists frankly and openly. He exposed their hypocrisy and inner hearts and minds which were corrupted and doomed to hell. Jesus levelled eight accusations against the religionists.

1. False religionists shut the door to heaven against seekers (v.13)

a. They do not enter themselves

b. They do not allow seekers to enter

2. False religionists are missionaries who double the corruption of new followers (15)

3. False religionists mislead others: They are blind guides in oaths and commitments (v.16-22)

a. Their blindness: They stress the secondary over the primary (two examples)

1) They stress the temple gold over temple

2) They stress the gift over the altar

b. Their folly: They try to evade commitments and responsibility, v.17,19

c. The raw facts

1) All commitments and oaths are heard by God-there is no evasion

2) All commitments and oaths are binding and  are accountable to God

4. False religionists stress the lighter commandments and neglect the important ones (v.23-24)

a. They stress the lighter duties and neglect the more important duties

b. They avoid the lesser sins and commit the greater sins

5. False religionists are blind to real cleanness (v.25-26)

a. Their outside appears clean

b. Their insides are full of greed and self-indulgence

c. Their need: First clean the inside; then the outside will be clean

6. False religionists disguise inner decay (v.27-28)

a. Illustration: They are like white tombs

          1) Outward: appear clean and beautiful

          2) Inward: full of death and uncleanness

b. Their wrong

          1) Outward: appear righteous

          2) Inward: full of hypocrisy and wickedness

7. False religionists pride themselves in a godly heritage (v.29-33)

a. Honour the relics of the past

b. Denounce the former abuses

c. Pride themselves in being better: would not have committed such sins

d. Testify against themselves (by rejecting Christ)

          1) Show themselves to be descendants of murderers

          2) Fill up the father’s cup of murder

e. Result: have become snakes, vipers-doomed to hell

8. False religionists reject and abuse many of God’s present day messengers (v.34-36)

a. Their abuse: they persecute and kill

b. Their judgement

          1) They shall have imputed to them the sins of all the righteous bloodshed throughout history

          2) All these things shall come upon this generation

Thought: The false religionist fails at both points of sin. He sins both by omission and commission. He neglects the more  important duties, and he commits the greater sins.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

21^st Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21: They will bring all your brothers from all the nations.

II Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13: The Lord trains the one that he loves.

Gospel: Luke 13:22-30: Men from east and west will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God. Salvation cannot be taken for granted. It is given by God to those who respond in faith.

The Saved Discussed

Who are the saved? Will many be saved? Shall I be saved or shall I be lost? Jesus answers these questions in this passage. Faith teaches us that this earthly life will come to an end, and that death will introduce us into a new life that lasts forever with God.

To be “saved” means “to be with God in our present and future life” to see Him, to share His life and joy and peace. To be “lost” means not to be admitted into God’s presence and to be deprived of God’s life, joy and peace for ever. When we speak of “heaven” and “hell”, we are not speaking about places but of “states” (ways) of being: heaven means to be with God, while hell means to be deprived of Him. God wants and longs that everyone may be saved in heaven with Him and forever. It is up to each one of us to decide or choose whether to be saved or to be lost. We need to try to enter by the narrow door with humility and obedience to God’s teachings and commands. We cannot enter into heaven with pride, Selfishness, self-righteousness, disobedience to God’s will and teachings, jealousy, envy, hatred and all evil actions.

Jesus answers to challenge us so that we will make sure we are saved.

1. Jesus journeyed 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 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: God wants everyone saved. If we wish to enter into heaven we must leave all evil actions and pride; instead we need a total obedience to God’s will and humility.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com

Saturday: 20^th Week in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading: Ruth 2:1-3.8-11; 4:13-17: The Lord has not left the dead man without next of kin to perpetuate his name. This was the father of David’s father, Jesse.

Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12: They do not practise what they preach.

The Warning against False Religion

In the minds of the leaders, Christ was a threat to their position, power, wealth, security and nation (Mt 12:1-8, 10;15:1-20). They were forced to discredit Jesus before the people and wanted to kill him. This background lies behind the present chapter-the most sever attack Jesus Christ ever spoke against the scribes and the Pharisees because of hypocrisy of their lives and religion-a religion which stands as a symbol of the false religions of the world (cf. Rom 2:17-29). The false religion is a man made religion.

1.    Jesus spoke to the crowds and to the disciples (v.1)

2.    False religion is a religion that claims to “sit” in the truth, Moses’ seat (2)

3.    False religion is a religion of hypocrisy (3)

a.    It is good to obey their preaching

b.    It is not good to follow their practice

4.    False religion is a religion of heavy burdens (4)

a.    Leaders imposed heavy burdens upon others

b.    Leaders did not imposed the burdens upon themselves

5.    False religion is a religion of show, of display (5-7)

a.    A religion of appearance: Dress, clothing

b.    A religion of position: position that honour and exalt people

c.     A religion of titles: Titles that honour and exalt people

6.    False religion is a religion to be guarded against (8-12)

a.    Because position and relationships are already established

1.    God is your Father

2.    Christ is your Teacher

3.    You are brothers and sisters

4.    Because greatness is measured by SERVICE

5.    Because judgement is coming

Thought: God has no favourites among people. Why should we seek to appear as a favourite? Why should we seek appearance, positions and titles and honour that point toward him/her instead of his/her Lord?

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com