6 November Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to the Sadducees, ‘They can no longer die, for they are like angels, and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise’” (Lk 20:36).
Communion Connection – During the month of November, when we especially remember all of the saints and souls who have gone before us, these words from Jesus bring us special comfort. While we know from faith that the kingdom of God is present in our midst – that we experience heaven to some extent right here and now – we can’t help but long for assurance of an angelic life for our loved ones who have died. May our hearts be filled with faith and confidence in this promise of eternal life, when we will be joined together in a new way with Jesus and all of the beloved children of God.
Additional Catholic Resources:
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/the-resurrection-of-the-body/1016/
Order of Carmelites Lectio – http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-32nd-sunday-ordinary-time-c
13 November Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives’” (Lk 21:17-19).
Communion Connection – Whoever wants to follow Christ must take up his cross each day, not hating it but accepting it as God's will. The Christian vocation is this call to perseverance. Perseverance is necessary and indispensable when we suffer, when we are tempted, when we are inclined to be discouraged, when we are drawn to the seductions of the world, when we suffer persecution. Those who really know how to persevere are those who love. Love is never hindered by obstacles. It does not count difficulties or sacrifices. Perseverance is love that has been put to the test. That is how they will know we are Christians – by our love. – adapted from the Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life – http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2009/10/01/ottobre-2009/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/apocalypse-and-the-resurrection/1017/
20 November Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
“Then the criminal hanging beside Him said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus replied to him, ‘Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise’” (Lk 23:42-43).
Communion Connection – The tremendous mercy that Jesus extends to the guilty criminal hanging beside him does not undo the man’s immediate suffering, but rather the divine gift is even richer – Jesus gives him eternal life. So often we pray to be relieved of a particular burden, but perhaps this criminal shows us the better way. We can take our hardship to Jesus and with total faith ask that he keep us in his heart where the kingdom lies. After all, as children of God, it is Paradise that we truly seek.
Additional Catholic Resources:
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/march-in-the-army-of-the-true-king/1018/
http://ocarm.org/en/content/lectio/lectio-divina-christ-king-c
27 November First Sunday of Advent
“Jesus said to the disciple, ‘Stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and not let his house be broken into. So too, you also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come’” (Mt 24:42-44).
Communion Connection –If Jesus is coming, then this life is a passing thing. But that does not mean that we should undervalue it. On the contrary, we should give it the highest importance. We should prepare for that encounter with Him by living a worthy life. We must be vigilant – and vigilance is a characteristic of love. When we love someone we constantly watch and wait for him or her to return. Every moment away from the one we love is spent with him or her in mind. So it is when we love Jesus. We do everything with Him in mind, encountering Him in the simple expressions of His will in every moment. And so we must prepare - let us be vigilant – for that solemn encounter with Him on the day when He comes.
– adapted from the Word of Life
Additional Catholic Resources:
Word of Life – http://www.focolare.org/en/news/2009/04/01/aprile-2009/
Audio Homily by Fr. Robert Barron – http://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/look-to-the-son-of-man/985/
