October 30
Friday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
PHIL 1:1-11
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the holy ones in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
I give thanks to my God at every remembrance of you, praying always with joy in my every prayer for all of you, because of your partnership for the Gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right that I should think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, you who are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may increase ever more and more in knowledge and every kind of perception, to discern what is of value, so that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
R. (2) How great are the works of the Lord!
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart in the company and assembly of the just. Great are the works of the LORD, exquisite in all their delights.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Majesty and glory are his work, and his justice endures forever. He has won renown for his wondrous deeds; gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
He has given food to those who fear him; he will forever be mindful of his covenant. He has made known to his people the power of his works, giving them the inheritance of the nations.
R. How great are the works of the Lord!
Alleluia
JN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
LK 14:1-6
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.
In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy.
Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking,
“Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?”
But they kept silent; so he took the man and,
after he had healed him, dismissed him.
Then he said to them
“Who among you, if your son or ox falls into a cistern,
would not immediately pull him out on the sabbath day?”
But they were unable to answer his question.
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.
“How great are the works of the Lord!”
Readings & Reflection
In today’s gospel, a leading Pharisee has invited Jesus to a meal. This meal is to take place on the Sabbath day. The Pharisees are watching Jesus carefully. They are hoping that he will perform some miracle, some type of “work” that could be seen as illegal taking place on the Sabbath. This would certainly discredit Jesus as a Son of God.
As the meal progresses, we see Jesus experience one of the guests, who is suffering from dropsy. Jesus addresses the scholars of the law and the Pharisees and asks them, “Is it lawful to cure on the sabbath or not?” Jesus knows they cannot answer this question and finally asks them if their son or ox should fall into a cistern on the Sabbath day would they not pull them out, would they not rescue them. Again, the scholars of the law and Pharisees are unable to answer his question. Therefore, Jesus cures the man with dropsy while those in the room look on and cannot critique him, for there is nothing truly wrong with curing the sick or helping anyone in the name of Christ, Sabbath or not!
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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