The reading from Philippians offers a powerful teaching about Jesus, who emptied and humbled himself for the salvation of our souls. As the Lord’s disciples we acknowledge that our journey to heaven will lead us along a similar path as we share our lives with one another.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 31st Week of the Year
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Study: Reflect on a moment when you gave generously of your time, resources, or money. What was the cost, and what did you discover?
Pray: Take time to thank the Lord for the blessings lavished upon you. Cultivate gratitude in your heart and express it in your life.
Serve: Who has the Lord placed in your life to serve? How can your life be a blessing of generous giving to another?
Mass Readings – 32nd Sunday of the Year
The theme of generous giving runs through these four readings this week:
Let’s look at how this theme surfaces throughout these readings.
Earthly blessings. The psalm reminds us that God is the source of all that we have, and it begs a simple point: Are we grateful? I know firsthand how easy it is to take even the simplest blessings for granted. All it takes is to lose something that is part of our routine (health, work, friendship) to rediscover the gift that was right in front of our eyes.
Spiritual Salvation. Jesus Christ offers his life once-for-all that through his death and resurrection we might have eternal life. The Father gave his only Son that we might be saved. This profound act of divine generosity speaks of a love that is vast and all encompassing. God does this for us!
Profound human generosity. These two women gave from their need, not their want. It was not surplus food or money…it was their livelihood. It is crucial to note that no gift is too big or small in God’s eyes; what’s crucial is the relationship between the offering and the person – is it given as a token or as something of value?
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Do we take time to acknowledge the blessings we have? No really…do we pause in the course of our day – in a moment of prayer – and thank the Lord for the gifts we have been given? Let me be clear: without gratitude generosity means nothing, for without thankfulness we have no appreciation and respect for the gift that is given.
And equally crucial point follows: Do we give generously? Do we share what we have in a manner that shows our prayer and reflection? All gifts, great or small, are precious in the Lord’s eyes when they are offered in a spirit of love; all gifts, great or small, lose their significance when they are given without respect for the sacrifices and blessings they represent.
Simply put: we give generously out of gratitude for God’s generous gifts to us! Take a moment this week to pause and reflect on your blessings. Then consider the ways that you can offer your life. Whether it is with time, talent, or treasure – God will take our gifts, generously given, and make them a blessing in the world.
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Note: This post was first published on November 2, 2015.
The commandment to love God and neighbor is well known, and it can act as a mission statement that guides every single element of our lives…and helping us to grow as Sons and Daughters of God.
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
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Sometimes we can get caught up in social status, cherishing feelings of importance and respect. In the Gospel today Jesus reminds us that true greatness lies in how we offer our lives, directing us away from external accolades and turning us toward the beauty of a life of humble service.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 30th Week of the Year
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The Lord reminds us of a sobering fact: the path that leads to eternal life flows through a narrow gate, and every day we make choices that either lead us closer or farther away.
Mass Readings – Wednesday of the 30th Week of the Year
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Jesus offers two examples to show how with God’s help a small action on our part leads to big changes in our lives, inviting us to consider what small adaptations we can make to grow in our faith today.
Mass Readings – Tuesday of the 30th Week of the Year
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Study: Consider an experience where you were unconditionally loved by another person. How did their love change you?
Pray: Is there someone in your life who is difficult to love right now? Ask the Lord for the strength to love others like Christ.
Serve: Love is not a feeling, but an act of the will. How can you put your love for others into action today?
Mass Readings – 31st Sunday of the Year
We see some common themes in the readings this week:
At first glance we might easily take these ideas for granted; most of us have grown up with our Christian faith and have heard these messages from childhood. But what happens when we pause and reflect?
Loving God is not some melancholy obligation! The Lord made us for love and through the gift of faith we are invited to grow in love with God and one another. Simply put, each and every day we have the opportunity to become more and more like Christ – our teacher and example of love.
How can you foster God’s love in your life today? How can you find ways to express and implement love in your relationships? Our commandment to love finds its source, strength and glory in the love that God has for us. May we receive the Lord’s love for us today as we share that love in all aspects of our lives.
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When Jesus heals Bartimaeus, he does more than simply offer him sight. An encounter with Christ brings us into a direct experience of God’s grace and power; how we respond reveals our recognition of the many ways we see the Lord at work in our lives today.
Mass Readings – 30th Sunday of the Year
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Our lives offer us an opportunity to grow and flourish in the grace of God. However, this chance to be spiritually fruitful lasts until the time when the Lord calls us into eternity, and from that moment there is no turning back.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 29th Week of the Year
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The Letter of the Ephesians offers a beautiful call to faith which can inspire us in the darkest moments of our lives. May we take these words to heart as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.
Mass Readings – Friday of the 29th Week of the Year
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