31st Sunday of the Year (C): 2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 11:22 - 12:1
Psalm 145
2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2
Luke 19:1-10

"Paul prays that the Lord God may fulfill by his power every honest intention and work of faith."


We pray for you always
that our God may make you
        worthy of his call,


and fulfill by his power
every honest intention
and work of faith.


In this way
the name of our Lord Jesus
may be glorified in you
and you in him,


in accord
with the gracious gift


of our God
and of the Lord Jesus Christ


and our being gathered
to him,


we beg you,


brothers,


not to be so easily agitated


or terrified,


whether by an oracular utterance


or rumor


or a letter
alleged to be ours,


into believing
that the day of the Lord is here.



Verses from the Sunday readings:
"The Lord overlooks the sins of men that they may repent." (Wisdom 11)
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." (Psalm 145)
"Paul exhorts his brethren not to be easily agitated or terrified by a rumor that the day of the Lord is here." (2 Thessalonians)
"Salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house for the he had done what it means to be a son of Abraham." (Luke 19)

31st Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Liturgical readings
Wisdom 11:22 - 12:1
Psalm 145
2 Thessalonians 1:11 - 2:2
Luke 19:1-10

"Zacchaeus descended from the tree and welcomed the Lord to his house."



Jesus
upon entering Jericho,


passed through the city.


There was a man there
        named Zacchaeus,


        the chief tax collector

        and a wealthy man.


        He was trying to see
        what Jesus was like,


        but being small of stature,
        was unable to do so
        because of the crowd.


        He first ran on in front,
        then climbed a sycamore tree
        which was along Jesus' route,
        in order to see him.


When Jesus
came to the spot


he looked up and said,


"Zacchaeus,


hurry down.


I mean to stay
at your house today."


        He quickly descended,
        and welcomed him with delight.


When this was observed,
everyone began to murmur,


"He has gone
to a sinner's house
as a guest."


        Zacchaeus stood his ground
        and said to the Lord:


        "I give half my belongings, Lord,
        to the poor.


        If I have defrauded anyone
        in the least,
        I pay him back fourfold."


Jesus said to him:


"Today
salvation has come to this house,


for this is what it means
to be a son of Abraham.


The Son of Man has come
to search out
and save what was lost."


Verses from the Sunday readings:
"The Lord overlooks the sins of men that they may repent." (Wisdom 11)
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness." (Psalm 145)
"Paul exhorts his brethren not to be easily agitated or terrified by a rumor that the day of the Lord is here." (2 Thessalonians)
"Salvation has come to Zacchaeus' house for the he had done what it means to be a son of Abraham." (Luke 19)

30th Sunday of the Year (C): Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14, 16-18

Sunday Readings for Your Reflection: Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Liturgical readings
Ecclesiasticus 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

"The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds."


The Lord is a God of justice.


who knows no favorites.


Though not unduly partial toward the weak,


yet he hears
the cry of the oppressed.


He is not deaf
        to the wail of the orphan,


        nor to the widow
        when she pours out her complaint.


He who serves God willingly


is heard;


his petition reaches the heavens.


The prayer of the lowly
pierces the clouds;


it does not rest
till it reaches the goal,


Nor will it withdraw
till the Most High
        responds,
        judges justly
        and affirms the right.


Verses from the Sunday readings:
"He who serves God willingly is heard; his petition reaches the heavens." (Ecclesiasticus 35)
"From all distress the Lord rescues the just." (Psalm 34)
"Paul fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith." (2 Timothy)
"O God, be merciful to me, a sinner." (Luke 18)