4 OctoberTwenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time
“And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them, but the disciples rebuked them.When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these’” (Mk 10:13-14).
Communion Connection –
Jesus has a completely different attitude towards children than do others of His time in Palestine: He embraces them, and He even holds them up as models for His disciples. He does so because children confidently abandon themselves to the care of their fathers and mothers; they believe in their love, and do their best to imitate them. Authentic Christians too, like children, throw themselves into the arms of their heavenly Father, and trust him unconditionally. As “children of the Gospel”, they imitate Him who is Love, and they love as He does: the just and the unjust, the saints and the sinners. –Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/sexuality-love-and-marriage/978/
11 OctoberTwenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“As Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, ’Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’”(Mk 10:17).
Communion Connection –
The man has many qualities of a good disciple. He is eager (he ran), he is humble (he knelt), he has courage (he asked a question), and he recognizes the Master (he called Jesus “teacher”). These are all important traits in the life of one who wants to follow Christ. We can learn from this man as we consider our own lives and which of our characteristics “mark” us as believers. Then, once we ask the question of gaining eternal life, we must be ready to model the One whom we follow; we must listen to the answer that comes to us with the trust of a child in a parent, and follow where He leads us.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-rich-young-man-and-the-hunger-for-eternal-life/979/
- Order of Carmelites Lectio http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-28th-sunday-ordinary-time-b
18 OctoberTwenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to them, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?’’” (Mk 10:38).
Communion Connection –
How often in life this happens: we ask for something and later realize that what we requested was different than what we intended. Jesus knows our hearts; He knows our true desires. He also knows that He wants us for His own. While we may “not know what we are asking”, we can take steps to make certain that our aim is to be a follower of Jesus and seek to do the Father’s will. We can choose to listen to His teaching and devote ourselves to love and service of others – especially to the least among us. Then, we can count on the aid of Jesus to help us as we drink from His cup and live eternal life with Him.
Additional Catholic Resources:
25 OctoberThirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“He threw aside his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. Jesus said to him in reply, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’” (Mk 10:50-51).
Communion Connection –
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus poses a question that may hold great appeal for some who read it, or may be daunting for others. Yet leading up to that question was a desire, belief, openness, hope, and fervor on the part of the individual to whom He extended it. The question Jesus asked was one He expressed in reply to the testimony the blind man gave by his display of faith. This is blessed assurance – to know that Jesus is listening, watching, and waiting for us to reach out to Him. When our hearts are truly ready – made ready by strong faith and hope – He may ask that same question of us. When our hearts are truly ready, we will know the request to make.
Additional Catholic Resources:
- Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/seeing-the-world-anew/981/