October 29
Thursday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
EPH 6:10-20
Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the Gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all the flaming arrows of the Evil One. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 144:1B, 2, 9-10
R. (1b) Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
My mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, My shield, in whom I trust, who subdues my people under me.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten-stringed lyre I will chant your praise, You who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
R. Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!
Alleluia
See LK 19:38; 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
LK 13:31-35
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you.” He replied, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. But I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.”
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.
“Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!”
Readings & Reflection
From whom do we draw our strength? Being human, we want to say that we draw from inner strength, that we are independent and do not need help from others, or even God.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, reminds us that we are to draw strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Remember, the Ephesians, along with the other communities to which Paul writes, are suffering for their faith in Christ. In many cases, these faithful people have come from differing faith traditions and are seeking a common understanding and a common faith. How difficult that must have been for them.
Paul repeatedly pleads with them to rely on the Lord, on his word, and on his teachings. They are not to rely on their own strength, but that of God as presented by Christ. We too, should benefit from hearing the words of Paul. If we find we rely totally on our own strength in this life, we will undoubtedly fail. When we rely on God and on other faith filled people, we not only succeed in this life, but are found worthy to enter into the eternal Kingdom of God.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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