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Our Sunday Reflection - October 20, 2024
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"Lord, let your mercy by on us, as we place our trust in you"
Psalm 33
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Today is World Mission Sunday, a day on which we bring to mind the missionaries who preach and live the gospel to those who have not yet heard or understood it. Today also marks the beginning of Pastoral Care Week, in which we recognize those who give spiritual care to those in need. But it is also important to realize that every one of us is called to be both a missionary of the gospel and a giver of pastoral care. As Jesus teaches his disciples in today’s Gospel, we are all called to serve.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
The theme running through today’s readings is service and our Lord’s commitment to be the servant of all. Isaiah prophesies about a servant who will suffer and give his life as an offering for sin. The reading from Hebrews reminds us that Jesus was tested in every way, willing to become weak for our sake. In the Gospel, Jesus tells his disciples he came not to be served but to serve. Let today’s readings inspire us to serve others as we live out our faith.Reflections
- When Jesus asks James and John, “What do you wish me to do for you?” they could have responded some other way (Mark 10:36). They could have asked him to tell them what they could do for him. They could have asked him how they could prevent him from being put to death (which he had told them about three times now). But instead, they asked him for a prominent place in heaven. Do we sometimes do what Jesus wishes just so that we will be rewarded by someone? Or so we will more likely be rewarded by going to heaven? Or, rather, do we do what Jesus wishes because it’s the right thing for us to do?
- World Mission Sunday is a reminder to each one of us that we all participate in the Christian mission by virtue of our baptism. In baptism, we (or our parents on our behalf) promised to follow Christ and to put our faith into practice. There may be no better way to put our faith into practice than by carrying out the mission of the Church. World Mission Sunday is also an opportunity to build solidarity through works and prayer with both missionaries and the people they serve.
- Throughout his Gospel, Saint Mark emphasized how difficult it was for the disciples to truly understand Jesus and his mission. Jesus had just told them for the third time that he would be arrested, put to death, then rise on the third day. So what do James and John do? They ask him for a special place in the kingdom. The others get indignant, but is it just because they thought of it first? Therefore, Jesus repeats what he did back at the beginning. “Jesus summoned them,” Mark writes (10:42), calling them to discipleship all over again, but this time immediately explaining to them that being a disciple means being the servant of all.
Question of the Week
Looking at my life right now, how is Jesus summoning me? How can I be of service in my family, my parish, my community?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, October 20, 2024
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, October 20, 2024
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Offerings
The Sunday offerings are a portion of our blessings that we give to God (Church) in gratitude to what God has done for us...ONLINE GIVING OPTIONS -
Reflections on the readings
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News from the Vatican
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