Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Respect Life Month

World Mission Sunday

In other years: Saint John of Capistrano, Franciscan (Friars Minor), Patron of Military Chaplains (1386-1456); Saint Ethelflaeda (10th century); Saint Severinus Boethius (d. 524)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 18:7-11 The Order of the Psalmody

Mass: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18; Resp Ps 34; 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-16; Lk 18:9-14

Let my soul glory in the Lord.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

MARY, QUEEN OF THE MOST HOLY ROSARY,

MARY, QUEEN OF MISSIONARIES,

SAINT JOSEPH, DEFENDER OF LIFE,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The one who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens.

(Sirach 35:16)

I took note of something I read in an article this morning. In today's Gospel, the Pharisee spoke a prayer to himself (see Lk 18:11), while the tax collector would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed (see Lk 18:13). The Pharisee, so taken up with himself, doesn't even pray to God. Then the author of the article commented, "It's a funny thought if we didn't often do the same thing."* Hmm. O God, be merciful to me a sinner (Lk 18:13). Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Lk 18:14).

As we go forth, united in faith and prayer, "let our prayer be sincere, our humility truthful, and our hearts filled with love when we approach the One who hears us before we ask."** Heart of Jesus, source of mercy and reconciliation, have mercy on us.

To acknowledge one's sin [and] recognize oneself as being a sinner, capable of sin and inclined to commit sin, is the essential first step in returning to God.

(Pope Saint John Paul II, Reconciliatio et Paenitentia Reconciliation and Penance, 13)

SAINT JOHN OF CAPISTRANO,

SAINT ETHELFLAEDA,

SAINT SEVERINUS BOETHIUS,

PRAY FOR US.

*Fr. Paul D. Scalia, "The Disease and the Cure," in The Catholic Thing, October 23, 2022.

**Commentary on Psalm 51, in Magnificat, November 22, 2022, p. 316.

Fun fact: In other years, we would commemorate Saint Ethelflaeda, a 10th century Benedictine nun, Abbess at the Abbey of Romsey in the UK. The Abbey still stands, now as the Abbey Church of St Mary and St Ethelflaeda, a parish church in the Church of England. Things happen there, including concerts, funerals, weddings, christenings/baptisms, and more. 

Today's photo: The lowly will hear me and be glad.

 

© Gertrude Feick 2022