November 5, 2016: Saturday, 31st week, Ordinary Time
- 'Money' tie: I've received full payment and I abound; "riches in Christ Jesus" (1st reading); the just give to the poor (psalm); "make friends with dishonest wealth" (gospel)
- 'Heart' pin: The hearts of the just are steadfast (psalm); "God knows your hearts" (gospel)
- 'Angel with horn' pin: The 'horn' of the just shall be exalted (psalm)
- Green shirt: Ordinary Time season
| Not heeding today's gospel! |
- It's the small things/ Troccoli (gospel)
- I found the treasure/ Schutte (gospel)
- Psalm 112/ Silver
- Money and Sitting pretty, from Cabaret/ Kander, Ebb (anti-gospel despite the pro-life strand in the musical)
Pope Francis
Prayer intention for November: We must move away from indifference and the fear of accepting others. Pray with me that countries that take in a great number of displaced persons and refugees find support for their efforts. Video
Read
- Phil 4:10-19 I've learned to be self-sufficient: how to live in need or with abundance, well fed or hungry, strong through Christ for everything. Only you gave to me at the beginning; your gift to me earns you interest. God will supply what you need from his riches in Christ Jesus.
- Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a, 9 "Blessed those who fear the Lord," delight in his commands, conduct themselves with justice, and give generously to the poor. They'll be remembered and exalted.
- Lk 16:9-15 “One trustworthy or dishonest in small matters is the same in great ones. No servant can serve two masters; you can't serve God and mammon.” (to sneering Pharisees:) “You justify yourselves in others' sight, but God knows your hearts.”
- Creighton: Within Paul’s appeal for steadfastness and unity, he thanks the Philippians for their gifts of Christian unity, expressed in their sending him supplies. He says they'll receive more from their giving than he in his receiving. Meeting his needs was not about him but making a sacrifice to God. Paul learned to be self-sufficient; he's not maintaining his relationship with them to receiving their gifts but for mutual encouragement. Christian community is about unity of spirit and sharing of gifts. When we give or receive, we give to or receive from God. The Lord blesses those who give to the poor because they fear the Lord, not because they want to impress others. We're to used what we've received to serve God. If we give gifts that encourage the recipients, God will be pleased with our sacrifice and bless us.
- One Bread, One Body: "Show time": As far as we know, though many appreciated Paul, only the Philippians sent him material help. Show your love in concrete ways to your loved ones. Jesus touched people (even lepers), kissed people (even Judas), and died for us....
- Passionist: We can feel like we're enjoying God’s favor when life is easy and like God is withholding his favor when times are hard. But Paul speaks of enduring privation and abundance and says the secret for both is strength from Christ. When we live in Christ, abundance and need are two sides of one coin; we can endure the need and show gratitude in abundance. Jesus tells us to make friends with and be trustworthy with, but not serve, dishonest wealth. May we act with integrity, never resorting to violence against the evil, dishonesty, and corruption around us....
- DailyScripture.net: "Who will entrust to you the true riches?" Generous giving is connected with almsgiving. Those who receive alms become your friends because you're merciful to them in their need, just as God is merciful to you in your need for his forgiveness and help. The rabbis said, "The rich help the poor here, but the poor help the rich in the world to come." The treasure that lasts is the treasure stored for us in heaven. Generosity enriches the giver and expands the soul. God gave us the best gift in his only Son. The Father also offers us the Spirit who fills us with love, joy, peace, patience, self-control, and more. Everything we have is a gift of God.
Who/what is in charge of your life, your thoughts, ideals, desires, and values? Love of money, power, prestige, or addictions? Love of money crowds out love of God and neighbor. If God's love doesn't possess us, some other love will. Only God can set us free from greed and possessiveness, satisfy our heart's desires, and transform us. We can hoard God's gifts, or allow the Lord to guide us to use them for others' benefit. Lord, fill our heart with generosity and joy in sharing with others.
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