31^st Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading Wisdom 11:22-12:2: You are merciful to all because you love all that exists.

II Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2: The name of Christ will be glorified in you and you in him.

Gospel: Luke 19:1-10: The Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost.

The Conversion of Zacchaeus: The Meaning of Conversion, Lk 19:1-10

God loves everything that he created, hut His love for humankind is great, even he/she falls into sin, immediately He saves from sin. We read in the Book of Genesis that after their disobedience, Adam and Eve “hid from Yahweh among the trees of the garden” (Gen 3:8).  God called to the man (Adam and Eve): “Where are you?” In the same way Jesus came into the world to save the sinners particularly Zacchaeus, the tax collector in today’s gospel and the tax collector in the previous Sunday’s gospel and Matthew the tax collector etc. who were considered as the sinners in the Jewish society.

What is important and what we can learn today is that like Zacchaeus we must look for Jesus, search for Jesus and try to see Jesus and listen and obey the words of Jesus and follow him immediately to carry out his mission through our ministry to all especially to the poor and needy in the society.

The man had a great hope to meet God face to face so he tried his best to see Jesus as his real need in life.

1. Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector-a man who was very rich (v.1-2)

2. First, being desperate to see Jesus: Who He is

a. He was thrust back

b. He persisted

3. Second, receiving the invitation of Jesus (v.5-6)

a. Jesus saw him

b. Jesus called him by name

c. Jesus asked to be received

d. Zacchaeus obeyed

4. Third repenting, that is, changing one’s whole way of life (v.7-8)

a. He was a sinner

b. He repented, changed his life

5. Fourth, looking to Jesus as the Saviour (9-10)

a. The One who proclaims salvation

b. The One who seeks and saves the lost

Thought: Zacchaeus completely turned around from his sinful life to God and His way of righteousness by giving half his possessions to the poor. He did exactly what Jesus had said and he did exactly what the rich young ruler had refused to do (Lk 18:18-24). He gave back to those whom he had cheated; he gave four times what he had taken. Restitution became the thrust of his life. This is called conversion is repenting and changing one’s whole way of life.

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SATURDAY- 30^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

Gospel: Luke 14:1. 7-11: Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.

The Importance of Humility, Lk 14:7-14

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 the 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).

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FRIDAY- 30^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

Gospel: Luke 14:1-6: Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day?

The Religionists and Their Error, Luke 14:1-6

A chief Pharisee invited Jesus to a meal on the Sabbath. Jesus strongly pointed out the errors of the religionists when they made a plot to entrap Jesus into breaking the Sabbath law. The same errors are common to every generation of religionists.

1.     The religionists watched Jesus critically (v.1)

2.     The religionists overlooked what was really needful (v.2)

3.     The religionists made religious form more important than healing men (v.3)

4.     The religionists refused to confess the truth taught by Jesus (v.4)

5.     The religionists failed to see the inconsistency of their belief and behaviour (v.5)

6.     Conclusion: The religionists were silenced (v.6)

Thought: Religionists are always putting their form and practices of religion before meeting the healing needs of people.

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THURSDAY- 30^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

Gospel: Luke 13:31-35: It would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

The Tragic Rejection of Jesus, Lk 13:31-35

Jesus Christ has always been rejected and opposed by people. This passage deals with persons who rejected Jesus Christ.

1. Some Pharisees warned Jesus about a plot to kill Him (v.31).
2. The rejection by political leaders (v.31-33)

a.     His ministry will be completed

b.    His walk today, tomorrow and the day after “must continue”

c.      His death must be diligently pursued in Jerusalem

3. The rejection by the religionists and the people (v.34)

a.     They killed God’s prophets and messengers

b.    They rejected the Messiah’s salvation

4. The warning to all those who reject Jesus (v.35)

a.     They will be forsaken by God

b.    There will be a day when Jesus will return and rule supremely

Thought: How many of us know the divine necessity of God to witness? How many of us walk today and tomorrow under the direction (divine necessity) of God?

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WEDNESDAY- 30^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

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

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.

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TUESDAY- 30^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

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

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 –C

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

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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30^th Sunday in Ordinary Time-C

I Reading Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14.16-19: : The humble man’s prayer pierces the clouds.

II Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8.16-18: All there is to come now is the crown of righteousness reserved for me.

Gospel: Luke 18:9-14: The publican went home at rights with God; the Pharisee did not.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-Collector:

The Spirit Needed for Prayer, Lk 18:9-14

Today’s readings invites us to reflect and examine on oneself, God and neighbours. What is the quality of my prayer? What is the quality of my Christian life? What idea do I have of myself, of God and of my neighbour? Let us search the answers to our questions in today’s gospel. Our attitude towards ourselves, God and neighbour must be based with humility and unworthiness on a deep conviction of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness and forgiveness. The Pharisee with his pride and self-righteousness praised God first then turned to praise himself more than God that he is fasting twice in a week and giving alms and comparing himself not like a sinner. Finally Jesus condemned the pride and self-righteous Pharisee and praised the tax-collector for his humility, God fearing life, unworthiness and accepting himself as he is as a sinner and asking God’s mercy, love, forgiveness and blessings by his penance, repentance and cries. The sinner thought that only God his saviour and He can save him alone; whereas the Pharisee thought that his fasting twice in a week and alms giving will save him which was his wrong concept about God. Finally Jesus concludes the parable by telling us that the tax collector left the Temple “at rights with God”(v.14), that is, a friend of God once again , filled with the peace and joy which God’s forgiveness brings; whereas the Pharisee went back home farther from God than when he came, with his pride and his sins as his only companions.

St. Paul saw himself as the object of God’s love, mercy, faithfulness, forgiveness, generous heart, divine power and strength in the time of trails, temptations, tribulations, suffering and persecution.

In the gospel passage two striking things are seen-both the spirit needed for prayer and the spirit needed for one to be saved.

1. A parable of warning (v.9)

a. To the self-righteous

b. To those who despise or look down on other people

2. The scene: Two men are praying in the temple (v.10)

a. One is a Pharisee

b. One is a sinner

3. The religionist prays (v.11-12)

a. He stands-prays only with himself

b. He thanks God for making him what he is

c. He rededicates himself-he reaffirms his commitment

4. The Sinner prays (v.13)

a. He stands “at a distance”

b. He feels unworthy to face God

c. He cries for mercy

5. The major lesson: Justification (v.14)

a. A humble approach is heard

b. A proud approach is not heard

Thought: The scandalous sinner is the one justified in the sight of God because of two reasons:

1. he acknowledges his sinfulness and unworthiness

2. he cries for God to have mercy.

Whereas a proud approach is not heard (Lk 14:11- For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exacted). A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honour (Prov 29:23).

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SATURDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

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

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 –C

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?

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 –C

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

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 –C

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

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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THURSDAY- 28^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

Luke, Evangelist, Feast-18^th October

Gospel: Luke 10:1-9

I Reading: 1Timothy 4:10-17b

The Seventy Sent Forth: Great Purpose, 10:1-16

Jesus appoints the seventy and sends forth for his mission. This passage tells the Christian labourer how he is to work and tells the hearer how he is to treat the labourer of God.

1. Jesus appointed seventy disciples to prepare the way for Him (v.1)

a. had many disciples

b. two by two

c. saw tremendous need

d. sent as forerunners

2. First, pray for more labourers (v.2)

3. Second, go into an antagonistic world (v.3)

4. Third, trust God and sense the hour’s urgency (v.4)

5. Fourth, guard the message-do not force it upon people (v.5-6)

6. Fifth, accept compensation, but do not seek luxury (v.7)

7. Sixth, be accommodating and adaptable (v.8-9)

a. indentify with people

b. minister to people

c. proclaim the kingdom of God

8. Seventh, walk away from rejecters (v.10-15)

a. any town and people who reject

          1) symbolize God’s rejection by wiping off the very dust of the city

          2) reason: kingdom of God came near, but they rejected it

          3) judgement: shall be greater than Sodom’s

b. any who only profess to be God’s people

          1) illustrated by two Jewish towns

          2) the reason: the works of Christ were seen, yet he was rejected

          3) the judgement: to be more terrible

c. any who have a constant witness but reject: to receive the greatest judgement-hell

9. Eighth, , know that the Christian labourer presents the Lord (v.16)

Thought: Anyone who rejects the Lord definitely will be condemned.

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TUESDAY- 29^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –C

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

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 –C

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

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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