October 20
Tuesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
EPH 2:12-22
Brothers and sisters: You were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the Blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, he made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his Flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one Body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 85:9AB-10, 11-12, 13-14
R. (see 9) The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD–for he proclaims peace. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps.
R. The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
Alleluia
LK 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
LK 12:35-38
Jesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“The Lord speaks of peace to his people.”
Readings & Reflection
Be ready! That is the theme of our Gospel reading today. Jesus tells His disciples, “Gird your loins… and be like servants who await their master’s return…” Many of you know that I like to hike and be outdoors. While this is a fun for me, when I go for an extended period outside, it goes without saying that one needs to be prepared and have the proper knowledge about what to bring, where they are going, and how to get there. It seems rather simple when you think about it, but we know that proper preparations must be taken or else we can be caught in a life or death situation. How ready are we in our spiritual lives? Have we taken the necessary precautions and planned out what we will do for today? Have we taken time to speak with God today? Have we examined our conscience? Do we have anything on our mind that we need to bring before God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Just as in preparing to go on an adventure or vacation, we must prepare at length else we find ourselves not ready. How ready are you in your own spiritual life?
Fr Matt Rawson
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