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: Romans 5:12.15.17-21: If death reigned over everyone as the consequence of one man’s fall, it is even more certain that everyone will reign in life.

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: Romans 4:20-25: Scripture says that our faith too will be “considered” if we believe in him.

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

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.

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

The Problem of Ambition, Mk 10:35-45

Today’s first reading and the gospel reflects on the suffering servant who saves the humankind. Jesus teaches his disciples how to serve as a servant and a slave; whereas James and John looking for power. Pleasure, position and power are linked with the three types of temptations of Jesus. Jesus overcame the temptations by his total obedience to the will of his Father and saved the humankind through his suffering, death and resurrection.

We need today Christ’s servant leadership concern towards others especially to the poor, suffering and marginalised in the society.

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 know 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 or possession 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: The three temptations of Jesus are connected with pleasure-turn these stones into bread..., position-I will give you all these things... and power-if you are the Son of God.....whereas the three evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity and obedience) will give us to live a radical life of the discipleship.

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: Romans 4:13.16-18: Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed.

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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FRIDAY- 28^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 12:1-7: Every hair on your head has been counted.

I Reading: Romans 4:1-8: Abraham put his trust in God, and this faith was considered as justifying him.

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. Many thousands of people gathered around Jesus (v.1)

2. Message 1: To the disciples-hypocrisy (v.1-3)

a. deeds are to be exposed

b. words are to be exposed

3. 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

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 struggle to get up front.

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THURSDAY- 28^th  WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME -B

Gospel: Luke 11:47-54: This generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah.

I Reading: Romans 3:21-30: A man is justified by faith and not by doing something the Law tell him to do.

The Sever Charges Against Religionists, Lk 11:37-54

Most people feel that they are religious. For that reason, the religious person needs to pay close attention to what Jesus says in this passage. This religious person needs to examine his heart and life to make sure his religion is genuine. Jesus was severe in his charges against false religionists (Mt 23:1-12; 13-26; Lk 15:25-32;18:8-12; Rom 2:17-29).

1. A Pharisee invited Jesus to dine (v.37-38)

a. Jesus accepted the invitation

b. Jesus was questioned about ceremonial cleanliness

2. Charge 1: Religionists are ceremonially clean, but inwardly unclean (v.39-41)

a. They clean the outside and not the inside

b. God made both the outside and the inside (heart) of a person

c. The giving of one’s heart cleanses everything

3. Charge 2: Religionists obey God in tithing, but ignore justice and love (v.42)

4. Charge 3: Religionists crave prominence and honour (v.43)

5. Charge 4: Religionists mislead others, causing them to become unclean and corrupted (v.44)

6. Charge 5: Religionists burden men with rules and regulations (v.45-46)

a. A layer’s (an expert in the law) spiritual blindness

b. Jesus’ charge

7. Charge 6: Religionists honour the true prophets of God-so long as they are dead (v.47-51)

a. The honour of the past servants of God

b. The rejection of the present servants of God

c. The judgement to be required

8. Charge 7: Religionists have taken away the key to the truth about God (v.52)

9. Conclusion: A reaction of hostility and opposition toward Jesus (v.53-54)

Thought: The heart is the source of evil; therefore, it has to be cleansed by Christ-even the heart of the religionist.

Justice is the way we treat others. The love of God is both the love He has given us in Christ and the love we are to have for Him and others.

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WEDNESDAY- 28^th WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B

Gospel: Luke 11:42-46: Alas for you Pharisee! Alas for you lawyers also!

I Reading: Romans 2:1-11: God will repay each one as his works deserve-Jews first, but Greeks as well.

The Sever Charges Against Religionists, Lk 11:37-54

Most people feel that they are religious. For that reason, the religious person needs to pay close attention to what Jesus says in this passage. This religious person needs to examine his heart and life to make sure his religion is genuine. Jesus was severe in his charges against false religionists (Mt 23:1-12; 13-26; Lk 15:25-32;18:8-12; Rom 2:17-29).

1. Charge 2: Religionists obey God in tithing, but ignore justice and love (v.42)

2. Charge 3: Religionists crave prominence and honour (v.43)

3. Charge 4: Religionists mislead others, causing them to become unclean and corrupted (v.44)

4. Charge 5: Religionists burden men with rules and regulations (v.45-46)

Thought: Justice is the way we treat others. The love of God is both the love He has given us in Christ and the love we are to have for Him and others.

www.believeinthegoodnews.blogspot.com