November 1
Saturday

All Saints

First Reading: Rev 7:2-4, 9-14

I saw another angel ascending from the sunrise, carrying the seal of the living God, and he cried out with a loud voice to the four angels empowered to harm the earth and the sea, "Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads."
Then I heard the number of those marked with the seal: a hundred and forty-four thousand from all the tribes of the people of Israel.
After this I saw a great crowd, impossible to count, from every nation, race, people and tongue, standing before the throne and the Lamb, clothed in white, with palm branches in their hands, and they cried out with a loud voice, "Who saves but our God who sits on the throne and the Lamb?"
All the angels were around the throne, the elders and the four living creatures; they then bowed before the throne with their faces to the ground to worship God. They said,
Amen. Praise, glory, wisdom, thanks, honor, power and strength to our God forever and ever. Amen!
At that moment, one of the elders spoke up and said to me, "Who are these people clothed in white, and where did they come from?" I answered, "Sir, it is you who know this."
The elder replied, "They are those who have come out of the great persecution; they have washed and made their clothes white in the blood of the Lamb.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.
 

Second Reading: 1 Jn 3:1-3
 

See what singular love the Father has for us: we are called children of God, and we really are. This is why the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children and what we shall be has not yet been shown. Yet when he appears in his glory, we know that we shall be like him, for then we shall see him as he is. All who have such a hope try to be pure as he is pure.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 5:1-12a
 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. He sat down and his disciples gathered around him. Then he spoke and began to teach them:
"Fortunate are those who are poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are those who mourn, they shall be comforted.
Fortunate are the gentle, they shall possess the land.
Fortunate are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied.
Fortunate are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
Fortunate are those with a pure heart, for they shall see God.
Fortunate are those who work for peace, they shall be called children of God.
Fortunate are those who are persecuted for the cause of justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Fortunate are you, when people insult you and persecute you and speak all kinds of evil against you because you are my followers. Be glad and joyful, for a great reward is kept for you in God. This is how this people persecuted the prophets who lived before you."
 

Commentary
A youngster was once asked what a saint was. Thinking of the beautiful stained glass windows in her parish church, she responded, "A saint is someone whom the light shines through." How simple, yet how profound her response!
Jesus proposes a way of life based upon the simplicity of the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount. If we are to be holy, if we are to be saints we must allow His light to permeate everything that we do and say. Therein will we find lasting happiness and peace, and so will the world find reason to hope.
 

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November 2
Sunday

Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

First Reading: Wis 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hands of God and no torment shall touch them.
In the eyes of the unwise they appear to be dead. Their glory is held as a disaster; it seems that they lose everything by departing from us, but they are in peace.
Though seemingly they have been punished, immortality was the soul of their hope. After slight affliction will come great blessings, for God has tried them and found them worthy to be with him; after testing them as gold in the furnace, he has accepted them as a holocaust.
At the time of his coming they will shine like sparks that run in the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will be their king forever.
Those who trust in him will penetrate the truth, those who are faithful will live with him in love, for his grace and mercy are for his chosen ones.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
 

Second Reading: Rom 6:3-9
 

Don't you know that in baptism which unites us to Christ we are all baptized and plunged into his death. By this baptism in his death, we were buried with Christ and, as Christ was raised from among the dead by the Glory of the Father, so we begin walking in a new life. It was an image of his death when we were grafted in him, and so we will also share in his resurrection.
We know that our old self was crucified with Christ, so as to destroy what of us was sin, so that we may no longer serve sin-if we are dead, we are no longer in debt to sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe we will also live with him. We know that Christ, once risen from the dead, will not die again and death has no more dominion over him.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:31-46
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on the throne of his Glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"The King will say to those on his right: 'Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to see me.'
"Then the good people will ask him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food; thirsty and give you drink, or a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to see you?' The King will answer, 'Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to these little ones who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left: 'Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you did not give me anything to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not welcome me into your house; I was naked and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'"
"They, too, will ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or a stranger, sick or in prison, and did not help you?' The King will answer them: 'Truly, I say to you: whatever you did not do for one of these little ones, you did not do for me.'
"And these will go into eternal punishment, but the just to eternal life."

Commentary
The month of November is traditionally the time to remember the dead, especially the poor souls in purgatory. Though the just Judge has every reason to restrict admittance into heaven to those who are perfect, He mercifully grants to those who are not damned a time of purification or purgation so that they might be made ready for the glorious life of the saints in heaven.
We rightly pray for our loved ones and others who have died, that they might one day be raised up to the company of the saints, where they will pray for us to complete successfully the journey to heaven.
 

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November 3
Monday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
Martin de Porres

First Reading: Phil 2:1-4

If I may advise you in the name of Christ and if you can hear it as the voice of love; if we share the same spirit and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg of you make me very happy: have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit. On the contrary let each of you gently consider the others as more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but rather that of others.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3
In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:12-14
 

Jesus addressed the man who had invited him and said, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives and wealthy neighbors. For surely they will also invite you in return and you will be repaid. When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Fortunate are you then, because they can't repay you; you will be repaid at the Resurrection of the upright."

Commentary
The month of November is also a time to remember that we know neither the day nor the hour of our own death. In the Gospel, Jesus offers not simply advice for the banquet planner, but direction for life. Looking after the needs of others is a way of reciprocating for God's immeasurable generosity to us. We have received grace upon grace, and our proper response should be to extend kindness and mercy toward others.
Our actions of goodness toward the poor and less fortunate are seen by God as acts of goodness toward Him, and He will not be outdone in generosity.

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November 4
Tuesday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
Charles Borromeo

First Reading: Phil 2:5-11

Your attitude should be the same as Jesus Christ had:
Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking on the nature of a servant, made in human likeness, and in his appearance found as a man. He humbled himself by being obedient to death, death on the cross. That is why God exalted him and gave him the Name which outshines all names, so that at the Name of Jesus all knees should bend in heaven, on earth and among the dead, and all tongues proclaim that Christ Jesus is the Lord to the glory of God the Father.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32
I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:15-24
 

One of those at the table said to Jesus, "Happy are those who eat at the banquet in the kingdom of God!"
Jesus replied, "A man once gave a feast and invited many guests. When it was time for the feast he sent his servant to tell those he had invited to come, for everything was ready. But all alike began to make excuses. The first said: 'Please excuse me. I must go and see the piece of land I have just bought.' Another said: 'I am sorry, but I am on my way to try out the five yoke of oxen I have just bought.' Still another said, 'How can I come when I have just married?'
"The servant returned alone and reported this to his master. Upon hearing the account, the master of the house flew into a rage and ordered his servant: 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'
"The servant reported after a while: 'Sir, your orders have been carried out, but there is still room.' The master said: 'Go out to the highways and country lanes and force people to come in, to make sure my house is full. I tell you, none of those invited will have a morsel of my feast."

Commentary
The Lord's will for the salvation of the human race is universal. He intends that all people should be saved, yet not at the expense of violating their free will. The Lord invites, but He does not compel, He summons but does not demand, such is His respect for our freedom.
A wise person is attentive to the will of the Lord and responds to His direction. The Lord desires only that we be with Him for all eternity, and He spares no expense to get us there, not even the blood of His Only Begotten Son.

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November 5
Wednesday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Phil 2:12-18

My dearest friends, as you always obeyed me while I was with you, even more now that I am far from you, continue working out your salvation "with fear and trembling." It is God who makes you not only wish but also carry out what pleases him. Do everything without grumbling, so that without fault or blame, you will be children of God without reproach among a crooked and perverse generation. You are a light among them, like stars in the universe, holding to the Word of life. I shall feel proud of you on the day of Christ on seeing that my effort and labor have not been in vain. And if I am being poured out as a libation over the sacrifice and the offering of your faith, I rejoice and continue to share your joy; and you likewise should rejoice and share my joy.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 27:1, 4, 13-14
The Lord is my light and my salvation.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 14:25-33

One day, when large crowds were walking along with Jesus, he turned and said to them, "If you come to me, without being ready to give up your love for your father and mother, your spouse and children, your brothers and sisters, and indeed yourself, you cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not follow me carrying his own cross cannot be my disciple.
"Do you build a house without first sitting down to count the cost to see whether you have enough to complete it? Otherwise, if you have laid the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone will make fun of you: This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
"And when a king wages war against another king, does he go to fight without first sitting down to consider whether his ten thousand can stand against the twenty thousand of his opponent? And if not, while the other is still a long way off he sends messengers for peace talks. In the same way, none of you may become my disciple if he doesn't give up everything he has."

Commentary
Jesus wants us to be aware that following Him will cost us everything, as a decision to follow the Lord demands a complete realignment of our priorities. Taking up the cross is not an option when following Jesus.
For some, the cross means martyrdom, the shedding of one's blood in witness to the faith. For others it means suffering great hardships for the sake of the Gospel. For all of us it means self-denial and dedication to building up the Kingdom. Still, the Lord promises us that these sacrifices will pale in comparison with the reward that He has in store for us.
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November 6
Thursday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Phil 3:3-8a

We are the true circumcised people since we serve according to the Spirit of God, and our confidence is in Christ Jesus rather than in our merits.
I myself do not lack those human qualities in which people have confidence. If some of them seem to be accredited with such qualities, how much more am I! I was circumcised when eight days old. I was born of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; I am a Hebrew, born of Hebrews. With regard to the Law, I am a Pharisee, and such was my zeal for the Law that I persecuted the Church. As for being righteous according to the Law, I was blameless.
But once I found Christ, all those things that I might have considered as profit, I reckoned as loss. Still more, everything seems to me as nothing compared with the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord. For his sake I have let everything fall away and I now consider all as garbage, if instead I may gain Christ.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
Let hearts rejoice who search for the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 15:1-10
 

Tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus, all of them eager to hear what he had to say. But the Pharisees and the scribes frowned at this, muttering. "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So Jesus told them this parable:
"Who among you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and seek out the lost one till he finds it? And finding it, will he not joyfully carry it home on his shoulders? Then he will call his friends and neighbors together and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you, just so, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine upright who do not need to repent.
"What woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one, will not light a lamp and sweep the house in a thorough search till she finds the lost coin? And finding it, she will call her friends and neighbors and say: 'Celebrate with me for I have found the silver coin I lost!' I tell you, in the same way there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner."

Commentary
Sin pits us in opposition to God, but grace reconciles us to Him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who goes out in search of the lost sheep, entering into the human experience so as to bring us back to the fold. Separated from the shepherd the sheep faces hunger, thirst and the ravages of the wolves. Reunited with the shepherd the sheep knows only goodness and kindness.
Stubborn refusal to seek the Lord's forgiveness leaves us empty, alone and in danger. With Him is to be found life in abundance. May we poor sinners learn from that once lost sheep.
 

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November 7
Friday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Phil 3:17-4:1

Unite in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and look at those who walk in our way of life. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. I have said it to you many times, and now I repeat it with tears: they are heading for ruin; their belly is their god and they feel proud of what should be their shame. They only think of earthly things.
For us, our citizenship is in heaven, from where we await the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Lord. He will transfigure our lowly body, making it like his own body, radiant in Glory, through the power which is his to submit everything to himself.
Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, you my glory and crown, be steadfast in the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 122:1-2, 3-4ab, 4cd-5
Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 16:1-8
 

Jesus told his disciples, "There was a rich man whose steward was reported to him for fraudulent service. He summoned the steward and asked him: 'What is this I hear about you? I want you to render an account of your service for it is about to be terminated.'
"The steward thought to himself: 'What am I to do now? My master will surely dismiss me. I am not strong enough to do hard work, and I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do: I must make sure that when I am dismissed, there will be some people to welcome me into their house.'
"So he called his master's debtors one by one. He asked the first who came: 'How much do you owe my master?' The reply was: 'A hundred jars of oil.' The steward said: 'Here is your bill. Sit down quickly and write there fifty.' To the second he put the same question: 'How much do you owe?' The answer was: 'A thousand bushels of wheat.' Then he said: 'Take your bill and write eighty.'
"The master commended the dishonest steward for his astuteness. For the people of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the people of light.
 

Commentary
The steward of the household enjoyed the trust and favor of his master. He could even collect a legitimate commission on all of his master's outstanding accounts. In going to his master's debtors, the ingenious steward eliminates his commission, making it much easier for the debtors to repay what they owe. The master smiles, because he will grow wealthier thanks to the initiative of the steward.
We are called to faithful stewardship of all that the Master has bestowed upon us. May we be intent upon making our Master proud of us by the wise and prudent use of His gifts.

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November 8
Saturday

31st Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Phil 4:10-19

I rejoice in the Lord because of your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me before, but you had no opportunity to show it. I do not say this because of being in want; I have learned to manage with what I have. I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
However you did right in sharing my trials. You Philippians, remember that in the beginning, when we first preached the Gospel, after I left Macedonia you alone opened for me a debit and credit account, and when I was in Thessalonica, twice you sent me what I needed.
It is not your gift that I value but rather the interest increasing in your own account. Now I have enough and more than enough with everything Epaphroditus brought me on your behalf and which I received as "fragrant of-ferings pleasing to God." God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 112:1b-2, 5-6, 8a and 9
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 16:9-15
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "And so I tell you: use filthy money to make friends for yourselves, so that when it fails, these people may welcome you into the eternal homes.
"Whoever can be trusted in little things can also be trusted in great ones; whoever is dishonest in slight matters will also be dishonest in greater ones. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling filthy money, who could entrust you with true wealth? And if you have not been trustworthy with things that are not really yours, who will give you the wealth which is your own?
"No servant can serve two masters. Either he does not like the one and is fond of the other, or he regards one highly and the other with contempt. You cannot give yourself both to God and to Money."
The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and sneered at Jesus. He said to them, "You do your best to be considered righteous by people. But God knows the heart, and what rises high among humans is loathed by God."

Commentary
A divided heart cannot serve the Lord. Money is important, for we cannot live without it. Yet money is only relatively important, for it cannot purchase the things that truly matter in life.
We are called to store up for ourselves treasure in heaven, the treasure that rust cannot tarnish nor moth destroy nor thief steal away. So often the love of money distorts our sense of what is important and distracts us from what will bring us closer to the Lord. May our generous sharing of our material possessions serve to protect us against an undue attachment to our material possessions.
 

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November 9
Sunday

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

First Reading: Ezk 47:1-2, 8-9, 12

The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple and I saw water coming out from the threshold of the Temple and flowing eastwards. The Temple faced the east and the water flowed from the south side of the Temple, from the south side of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing the east and there I saw the stream coming from the south side.
He said to me, "This water goes to the east, down to the Arabah, and when it flows into the sea of foul-smelling water, the water will become wholesome. Wherever the river flows, swarms of creatures will live in it; fish will be plentiful and the sea water will become fresh. Wherever it flows, life will abound.
Near the river on both banks there will be all kinds of fruit trees with foliage that will not wither and fruit that will never fail; each month they will bear a fresh crop because the water comes from the Temple. The fruit will be good to eat and the leaves will be used for healing.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 46:3, 4, 5-6, 8, 11
The waters of the river gladden the city of God,
the holy dwelling of the Most High.
 

Second Reading: 1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17
 

We are fellow-workers with God, but you are God's field and building.
I, as a good architect, according to the capacity given to me, I laid the foundation and another is to build upon it. Each one must be careful how to build upon it. No one can lay a foundation other than the one which already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Do you know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit abides within you? If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him. God's temple is holy, and you are this temple.
 

Gospel Reading: Jn 2:13-22
 

As the Passover of the Jews was at hand, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple court he found merchants selling oxen, sheep and doves, and money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the Temple court, together with the oxen and sheep. He knocked over the tables of the money-changers, scattering the coins, and ordered the people selling doves, "Take all this away and stop turning my Father's house into a marketplace!"
His disciples recalled the words of Scripture: Zeal for your House devours me as a fire.
The Jews then questioned Jesus, "Where are the miraculous signs which give you the right to do this?" And Jesus said, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up." The Jews then replied, "The building of this temple has already taken forty-six years, and you will raise it up in three days?"
Actually, Jesus was referring to the temple of his body. Only when he had risen from the dead did his disciples remember these words; then they believed both the Scripture and the words Jesus had spoken.

Commentary
The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Pope.
The church building whose dedication we celebrate is not as important as the reality that it symbolizes. Every church building, however large or small, is a symbol of the Body of Christ, the Church, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone, the apostles as the pillars, and each member as a living stone that together comprise the edifice. May our celebration today draw us closer to the Lord Jesus, the One who promises us that the Church will prevail even against the gates of hell.

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November 10
Monday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Leo the Great

First Reading: Tit 1:1-9

From Paul, servant of God, apostle of Christ Jesus, at the service of God's chosen people, so that they may believe and reach the knowledge of truth and godliness.
The eternal life we are waiting for was promised from the very beginning by God who never lies, and as the appointed time had come, he made it known through the message entrusted to me by a command of God, our Savior.
Greetings to you, Titus, my true son in the faith we share. May grace and peace be with you from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
I left you in Crete because I wanted you to put right what was defective and appoint elders in every town, following my instructions. They must be blameless, married only once, whose children are believers and not open to the charge of being immoral and rebellious. Since the overseer (or bishop) is the steward of God's house, he must be beyond reproach: not proud, hot-headed, over-fond of wine, quarrelsome or greedy for gain.
On the contrary he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, wise, upright, devout and self-controlled. He must hold to the message of faith just as it was taught, so that, in his turn, he may teach sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1b-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:1-6
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "Scandals will necessarily come and cause people to fall; but woe to the one who has brought it about. It would be better for that one to be thrown into the sea with a millstone around the neck. Truly this would be better for that person than to cause one of these little ones to fall.
"Be careful. If your brother offends you, rebuke him and if he is sorry, forgive him. And if he offends you seven times in a day but says to you seven times: 'I'm sorry,' forgive him."
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." And the Lord said, "If you have faith even the size of a mustard seed, you may say to this tree: 'Be uprooted and plant yourself in the sea,' and it will obey you."
 

Commentary
The word scandal is from the Greek word that means stumbling block. Jesus utters stern words to those who cause others to stumble and lose progress along the road to eternal life.
Failing to forgive can cause others to stumble. Our Lord has been so generous in shedding His blood so that our sins will be forgiven, yet we sometimes cling to the most petty of grudges. This should not be so for a follower of Jesus, for we should quickly and repeatedly extend mercy and forgiveness to those who have trespassed against us

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November 11
Tuesday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Martin of Tours

First Reading: Tit 2:1-8, 11-14

Let your words strengthen sound doctrine. Tell the older men to be sober, serious, wise, sound in faith, love and perseverance.
The older women in like manner must behave as befits holy women, not given to gossiping or drinking wine, but as good counselors, able to teach younger women to love their husbands and children, to be judicious and chaste, to take care of their households, to be kind and submissive to their husbands, lest our faith be attacked.
Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Set them an example by your own way of doing. Let your teaching be earnest and sincere, and your preaching beyond reproach. Then your opponents will feel ashamed and will have nothing to criticize.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, teaching us to reject an irreligious way of life and worldly greed, and to live in this world as responsible persons, up-right and serving God, while we await our blessed hope-the glorious manifestation of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from every evil and to purify a people he wanted to be his own and dedicated to what is good.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 37:3-4, 8 and 23, 27 and 29
The salvation of the just comes from the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:7-10
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "Who among you would say to your servant coming in from the fields after plowing or tending sheep: 'Come at once and sit down at table'? No, you tell him: 'Prepare my dinner. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink; you can eat and drink afterwards.' Do you thank this servant for doing what you commanded? So for you. When you have done all that you have been told to do, you must say: 'We are no more than servants; we have only done our duty.'"

Commentary
Humility is the hallmark of a follower of Jesus. A humble person is not concerned with getting credit for every good deed done, nor does he clamor for the spotlight when doing good. The humble disciple knows that the honor and glory belong to the Lord Jesus, who braved the cross so as to open for us the gates of heaven.
Doing one's duty might not seem glamorous, but the one who is close to the Lord considers it his privilege, for to serve the Lord is the greatest honor that anyone could possibly have in this life.

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November 12
Wednesday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Josaphat

First Reading: Tit 3:1-7

Remind the believers to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and to be ready for every good work. Tell them to insult no one; they must not be quarrelsome but gentle and understanding with everyone.
We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient and misled. We were slaves of our desires, seeking pleasures of every kind. We lived in malice and envy, hateful and hating each other. But God our Savior revealed his eminent goodness and love for humankind and saved us, not because of good deeds we may have done but for the sake of his own mercy, to the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit poured over us through Christ Jesus our Savior, so that having been justified of his grace we should become heirs in hope of eternal life.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1b-3a, 3bc-4, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:11-19
 

On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus was passing along the border between Samaria and Galilee, and as he entered a village, ten lepers came to meet him. Keeping their distance, they called to him, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!" Then Jesus said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." Now, as they went their way, they found they were cured. One of them, as soon as he saw he was cleansed, turned back praising God in a loud voice, and throwing himself on his face before Jesus, he gave him thanks. This man was a Samaritan.
Then Jesus said, "Were not all ten healed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God but this alien?" And Jesus said to him, "Stand up and go your way; your faith has saved you."

Commentary
Gratitude is the womb of joy, for it is impossible to be both grateful and unhappy at the same time. The leper who returns to give thanks to the Lord is a model for us as we strive to remember the good things the Lord has done for us, and to thank Him daily for all of His wonderful blessings.
Whenever we get feeling down we can do no better than to count our blessings and offer a sincere prayer of thanks to the Lord. One specific act of gratitude can make a tremendous difference in our outlook on life.

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November 13
Thursday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Frances Xavier Cabrini

First Reading: Phlm 7-20

I had great satisfaction and comfort on hearing of your charity, because the hearts of the saints have been cheered by you, brother.
Because of this, although in Christ I have the freedom to command what you should do, yet I prefer to request you in love. The one talking is Paul, the old man, now prisoner for Christ. And my request is on behalf of Onesimus, whose father I have become while I was in prison.
This Onesimus has not been helpful to you, but now he will be helpful both to you and to me. In returning him to you, I am sending you my own heart. I would have liked to keep him at my side, to serve me on your behalf while I am in prison for the Gospel, but I did not want to do anything without your agreement, nor impose a good deed upon you without your free consent.
Perhaps Onesimus has been parted from you for a while so that you may have him back forever, no longer as a slave, but better than a slave. For he is a very dear brother to me, and he will be even dearer to you. And so, because of our friendship, receive him as if he were I myself. And if he has caused any harm, or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, write this and sign it with my own hand: I will pay it… without further mention of your debt to me, which is you yourself. So, my brother, please do me this favor for the Lord's sake. Give me this comfort in Christ.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 146:7, 8-9a, 9bc-10
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:20-25
 

The Pharisees asked Jesus when the kingdom of God was to come. He answered, "The kingdom of God is not like something you can observe and say of it: 'Look, here it is! There it is!' See, the kingdom of God is among you."
And Jesus said to his disciples, "The time is at hand when you will long to see one of the glorious days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. Then people will tell you: 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go, do not follow them. As lightning flashes from one end of the sky to the other, so will it be with the Son of Man. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this people."
 

Commentary
Many expected the Messiah to bring about an end to Roman occupation and the establishment of a temporal kingdom. Jesus says that is not what the Messiah will do. Rather, Jesus says, the Kingdom of God comes from within, from the victory of the Messiah over the powers of sin and death, a victory that will come not without a tremendous amount of suffering on the part of the Messiah, the Christ.
The kingdom envisioned by the Pharisees would have been miniscule compared with the universal and eternal Kingdom of God established through the suffering, death and resurrection of the Lord.
 

November 14
Friday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: 2 Jn 4-9

I rejoiced greatly on meeting some of your children who live in accordance with the truth, according to the command we have received from the Father. And now, I ask you, Lady-I write to you not a new commandment but that which we had from the beginning-I ask you: let us love one another.
This is love: to walk according to his commandments. And this is the commandment: that you walk in love as you have learned from the beginning.
Many deceivers have gone out into the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ who came in the flesh. They are impostors and antichrists. Take care of yourselves that you do not lose the fruit of your labors, but receive a perfect reward. Everyone who goes beyond and does not remain within the teaching of Christ does not have God. The one who remains in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:1, 2, 10, 11, 17, 18
Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!

Gospel Reading: Lk 17:26-37
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be on the day the Son of Man comes. Then people ate and drank; they took husbands and wives. But on the day Noah entered the ark, the flood came and destroyed them all. Just as it was in the days of Lot: people ate and drank, they bought and sold, planted and built. But on the day Lot left Sodom, God made fire and sulfur rain down from heaven which destroyed them all. So will it be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
"On that day, if you are on the rooftop, don't go down into the house to get your belongings, and if you happen to be in the fields, do not turn back. Remember Lot's wife. Whoever tries to save his life will lose himself, but whoever gives his life will be born again.
"I tell you, though two men are sharing the same bed, it may be that one will be taken and the other left. Though two women are grinding corn together, one may be taken and the other left."
Then they asked Jesus, "Where will this take place, Lord?" And he answered, "Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather."
 

Commentary
The Lord paints a frightening picture of the day the Son of Man comes. The Second Coming of the Lord will be the end of this world as we know it, and the inauguration of the fullness of the Kingdom. This great and terrible day will see the universal judgment, when humanity will see the final reckoning of all accounts.
We pray for the coming of the Kingdom every time we say the Lord's Prayer. We pray that the Lord will keep us steadfast on the path of life, so that on the Day of Judgment we will not be found wanting.

November 15
Saturday

32nd Week in Ordinary Time
Albert the Great

First Reading: 3 Jn 5-8

Beloved, you do well to care for the brothers and sisters as you do. I mean those coming from other places. They spoke of your charity before the assembled Church. It will be well to provide them with what they need to continue their journey, as if you did it for God. In reality, they have set out on the road for his name without accepting anything from the pagans. We should receive such persons, making ourselves their cooperators in the work of the truth.?
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-6
Blessed the man who fears the Lord.

Gospel Reading: Lk 18:1-8
 

Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should pray continually and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor people. In the same town was a widow who kept coming to him, saying: 'Defend my rights against my opponent.' For a time he refused, but finally he thought: 'Even though I neither fear God nor care about people, this widow bothers me so much I will see that she gets justice; then she will stop coming and wearing me out."
And Jesus explained, "Listen to what the evil judge says. Will God not do justice for his chosen ones who cry to him day and night even if he delays in answering them? I tell you, he will speedily do them justice. Yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
 

Commentary
God might seem to delay, but He is always on time. We persevere in our prayer not because God is not hearing us, but because we are always in need of being conformed to the will of God. We keep praying for what we need not because God is stubborn, but because our hearts need to express our dependence upon the Lord for everything that is good.
Prayer opens the heart and lifts up the soul to the Lord. Prayer expresses and deepens our faith in the Lord in whom we can place all of our trust.

November 16
Sunday

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

First Reading: Pro 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.
Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.
She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.
She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.
She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.
She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.
Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.
May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5
Blessed are those who fear the Lord.

Second Reading: 1 Thes 5:1-6
 

Brothers and sisters, you do not need anyone to write to you about the delay and the appointed time for these events. You know that the Day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When people feel secure and at peace, the disaster will suddenly come upon them as the birth pangs of a woman in labor, and they will not escape.
But you, beloved, are not in dark-ness; so that day will not surprise you like a thief. All of you are citizens of the light and the day; we do not belong to night and darkness. Let us not, therefore, sleep as others do, but remain alert and sober.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:14-30
 

Imagine someone who, before going abroad, summoned his servants to entrust his property to them. He gave five talents of silver to one, then two to another, and one to a third, each one according to his ability; and he went away.
"He who received five talents went at once to do business with the money and gained another five. The one who received two did the same and gained another two. But the one with one talent dug a hole and hid his master's money.
"After a long time, the master of those servants returned and asked for a reckoning. The one who received five talents came with another five talents, saying: 'Lord, you entrusted me with five talents, but see I have gained five more with them.' The master answered: 'Very well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in a few things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
"Then the one who had two talents came and said: 'Lord, you entrusted me with two talents; I have two more which I gained with them.' The master said: 'Well, good and faithful servant, since you have been faithful in little things, I will entrust you with much more. Come and share the joy of your master.'
"Finally, the one who had received one talent came and said: 'Master, I know that you are an exacting man. You reap what you have not sown and gather what you have not invested. I was afraid, so I hid your money in the ground. Here, take what is yours.' But his master replied: 'Wicked and worthless servant, you know that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not invested. Then you should have deposited my money in the bank, and you would have given it back to me with interest on my return.
"'Therefore, take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who are unproductive, even what they have will be taken from them. As for that useless servant, throw him out into the dark where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"
 

Commentary
A talent was an ancient coin of great value. In fact, a person who had even one talent possessed great buying power. There was nothing that could stop such a person from making a good profit with the single talent, save only for his own fear. Indeed, the servant's fear paralyzed him, and he failed to measure up to the master's trust.
The Lord has entrusted us with so much, and He rightfully expects much from us in return. May our fear never get the better of us. Rather, may we win the Master's praise for our good stewardship of His many gifts.

November 17
Monday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Elizabeth of Hungary

First Reading: Rev 1:1-4; 2:1-5

The Revelation of Jesus Christ.
God gave it to him to let his servants know what is soon to take place.
He sent his angel to make it known to his servant, John,
who reports everything he saw, for this is the word of God and the declaration of Jesus Christ.
Happy is the one who reads aloud these prophetic words,
and happy those who hear them and treasure everything written here,
for the time is near.
From John to the seven Churches of Asia:
receive grace and peace from him who is, who was and who is to come,
and from the seven Spirits of God which are before his throne.
Write this to the angel of the Church in Ephesus, "Thus says the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven golden lampstands:
I know your works, your difficulties and your patient suffering. I know you cannot tolerate evildoers but have tested those who call themselves apostles and have proved them to be liars. You have persevered and have suffered for my name without losing heart.
Nevertheless, I have this complaint against you: you have lost your first love. Remember from where you have fallen and repent, and do what you used to do before. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place; this I will do, unless you repent.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Those who are victorious I will feed from the tree of life.

Gospel Reading: Lk 18:35-43
 

When Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road, begging. As he heard the crowd passing by, he inquired what it was, and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. Then he cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" The people in front scolded him, "Be quiet!" but he cried out all the more, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him, and when he came near, he asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" And the man said, "Lord, that I may see!" Jesus said, "Receive your sight, your faith has saved you." At once the blind man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, giving praise to God. And all the people who were there also praised God.

Commentary
What do we want the Lord to do for us? This question can help to focus our prayer on what we need the most, especially in regard to the virtues. Praying for an increase in patience, understanding or compassion is often the best thing we can ask for, especially if we are having difficulty with a neighbor. Praying for an increase in temperance, courage or fortitude is exactly right when fighting an inner struggle.
St. James tells us that we do not receive because we do not ask. May we never be too bashful to ask the Lord for what we need.

November 18
Tuesday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Dedication of the Basilicas of Peter and Paul /
Rose Duchesne
 

First Reading: Rev 3:1-6, 14-22

Write this to the angel of the Church in Sardis, "Thus says he who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars:
I know your worth: you think you live but you are dead. Wake up and strengthen that which is not already dead. For I have found your works to be imperfect in the sight of my God. Remember what you were taught; keep it and change your ways. If you do not repent I will come upon you like a thief at an hour you least expect.
Yet, there are some left in Sardis who have not soiled their robes; these will come with me, dressed in white, since they deserve it. The victor will be dressed in white and I will never erase his name from the book of life; instead, I will acknowledge it before my Father and his angels.
Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches."
Write this to the angel of the Church in Laodicea, "Thus says the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation:
I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! You are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold so I will spit you out of my mouth. You think you are rich and have piled up so much that you need nothing, but you do not realize that you are wretched and to be pitied, poor, blind and naked.
I advise you to buy from me gold that has been tested by fire, so that you may be rich, and white clothes to wear so that your nakedness may not shame you, and ointment for your eyes that you may see. I reprimand and correct all those I love. Be earnest and change your ways.
Look, I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my call and open the door, I will come in to you and have supper with you, and you with me. I will let the victor sit with me on my throne just as I was victorious and took my place with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the Churches."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 15:2-3a, 3bc-4ab, 5
I will seat the victor beside me on my throne.

Gospel Reading: Lk 19:1-10
 

When Jesus entered Jericho and was going through the city, a man named Zaccheus was there. He was a tax collector and a wealthy man. He wanted to see what Jesus was like, but he was a short man and could not see because of the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed up a sycamore tree. From there he would be able to see Jesus who had to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zaccheus, come down quickly for I must stay at your house today." So Zaccheus hurried down and received him joyfully.
All the people who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to the house of a sinner as a guest." But Zaccheus spoke to Jesus, "The half of my goods, Lord, I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay him back four times as much." Looking at him Jesus said, "Salvation has come to this house today, for he is also a true son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost."
 

Commentary
The man in the sycamore tree was called by name, and his life was forever changed. Zaccheus, like so many who would come after him, would leave behind his sinful ways and make restitution to those whom he had defrauded. Salvation truly came to his house that day.
Every saint has a past, but every sinner has a future. By the grace of God a person's life can be radically changed. We must thank God for calling us to a new and abundant life, and we must never tire of praying for those who are still in need of radical conversion.
 

November 19
Wednesday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 4:1-11

After this, I looked up to the wall of the sky and saw an open door. The voice which I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here and I will show you what will come in the future."
Immediately I was seized by the Spirit. There, in heaven, was a throne and one sitting on it. He who sat there looked like jasper and carnelian and round the throne was a rainbow resembling an emerald.
In a circle around the throne are twenty-four thrones and seated on these are twenty-four elders, dressed in white clothes, with golden crowns on their heads. Flashes of lightning come forth from the throne, with voices and thunderclaps. Seven flaming torches burn before the throne; these are the seven spirits of God.
Before the throne there is a platform, transparent like crystal. Around and beside the throne stand four living creatures, full of eyes, both in front and behind. The first living creature is like a lion, the second like a bull, the third has the face of a man and the fourth looks like a flying eagle. Each of the four living creatures has six wings full of eyes, all around as well as within; day and night they sing without ceasing,
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God,
master of the universe,
who was, and is and is to come.
Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to the One on the throne, he who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him and worship the One who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns in front of the throne and say,
Our Lord and God, worthy are you
to receive glory, honor and power!
For you have created all things;
by your will they came to be and were made.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 150:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6
Holy, holy, holy Lord, mighty God!

Gospel Reading: Lk 19:11-28
 

Jesus was now near Jerusalem and the people with him thought that God's reign was about to appear. So as they were listening to him. Jesus went on to tell them a parable. He said, "A man of noble birth went to a distant place to have himself appointed king of his own people, after which he would return. Before he left, he summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. He said: 'Put this money to work until I get back.' But his compatriots who disliked him sent a delegation after him with this message: 'We do not want this man to be our king.'
"He returned, however, appointed as king. At once he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made. The first came in and reported: 'Sir, your pound has earned ten more.'
"The master replied: 'Well done, my good servant. Since you have proved yourself capable in a small matter, I can trust you to take charge of ten cities.' The second reported: 'Sir, your pound earned five more pounds.' The master replied: 'Right, take charge of five cities.'
"The third came in and said: 'Sir, here is your money which I hid for safekeeping. I was afraid of you for you are an exacting person; you take up what you did not lay down and reap what you did not sow.'
"The master replied: 'You worthless servant, I will judge you by your own words. So you knew I was an exacting person, taking up what I did not lay down and reaping what I did not sow! Why, then, did you not put my money on loan so that when I got back I could have collected it with interest?'
"Then the master said to those standing by: 'Take from him that pound, and give it to the one with ten pounds.' They objected: 'But, sir, he already has ten!'
"I tell you: everyone who has will be given more; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away." As for my enemies who did not want me to be king, bring them in and execute them right here in my presence.'"
So Jesus spoke, and he went on ahead of them, on his way to Jerusalem.
 

Commentary
The king in the parable demands much from his servants, especially those to whom he has given so much. In the same way, Jesus teaches us that of the one to whom much has been given, much will be expected.
All of our talents are gifts from God. The ability to gain an education, the skills to enter the workplace, the wisdom to make good decisions are all gifts from a good and gracious God. He gives us so much, yet he asks us to be good and faithful stewards of His gifts. May we never leave our King disappointed.
 

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November 20
Thursday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 5:1-10

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written on both sides, sealed with seven seals. A mighty angel exclaimed in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to open this and break the seals?"
But no one in heaven or on earth or in the netherworld was found able to open the book and read it. I wept much when I saw that no one was found worthy to open the book and read it. Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep. Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Shoot of David, has conquered; he will open the book of the seven seals."
And I saw next to the throne with its four living creatures and the twenty-four elders a Lamb standing, although it had been slain. I saw him with seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out to all the earth.
The Lamb moved forward and took the book from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. When he took it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders bowed before the Lamb. They all held in their hands harps and golden cups full of incense which are the prayers of the holy ones.
This is the new song they sang:
You are worthy to take the book
and open its seals,
for you were slain
and by your blood you purchased for God
people of every race, language and nation;
and you made them a kingdom and priests for our God
and they shall reign over the land.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 149:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6a and 9b
The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.

Gospel Reading: Lk 19:41-44
 

When Jesus had come in sight of Jerusalem, he wept over it and said, "If only today you knew the ways of peace! But now your eyes are held from seeing. Yet days will come upon you when your enemies will surround you with barricades and shut you in and press on you from every side. And they will dash you to the ground and your children with you, and leave not a stone within you, for you did not recognize the time and the visitation of your God."

Commentary
Jesus predicts the destruction of Jerusalem, an event that occurred just a few decades after His ascension into heaven. Roman armies would converge upon Jerusalem and leave its walls and temple in ruins.
The destruction of Jerusalem would mark the end of one era and the beginning of another. The message of the Gospel would spread rapidly through non-Jewish communities, thereby accomplishing Jesus mandate to take the Good News "to the ends of the earth." Still, Jesus weeps over the impeding destruction of the city He loves dearly. He, too, will soon experience His own demise, all so that He might rise again in glory.

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November 21
Friday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Presentation of Mary

First Reading: Rev 10:8-11

And the voice I had heard from heaven spoke again, saying to me, "Go near the angel who stands on the sea and on the land, and take the small book open in his hand." So I approached the angel and asked him for the small book; he said to me, "Take it and eat; although it be sweet as honey in your mouth, it will be bitter to your stomach."
I took the small book from the hand of the angel, and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it turned bitter in my stomach. Then I was told, "You must again proclaim God's words about many peoples, nations, tongues and kings."

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 119:14, 24, 72, 103, 111, 131
How sweet to my taste is your promise!

Gospel Reading: Lk 19:45-48
 

Jesus entered the Temple area and began to drive out the merchants. And he said to them, "God says in the Scriptures: My house shall be a house of prayer: but you have turned it into a den of robbers."
Jesus was teaching every day in the Temple. The chief priests and teachers of the Law wanted to kill him and the elders of the Jews as well, but they were unable to do anything, for all the people were listening to him and hanging on his words.
 

Commentary
The presence of merchants in the Temple was not unusual. They sold the turtle-doves that would be sacrificed, and changed pagan money into currency suitable for the Temple tax. Jesus drives them out as a way of asserting Himself as the Lord of the Temple. He will offer the perfect sacrifice of His Body and Blood, the sacrifice that would obtain the forgiveness of sins once and for all.
A sacrifice needs a priest and a victim. On the altar of the cross, Jesus is both the Lamb of sacrifice and the High Priest who offers it.
 

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November 22
Saturday

33rd Week in Ordinary Time
Cecilia

First Reading: Rev 11:4-12

These are the two olive trees and the two lamps which are before the Lord of the earth. If anyone intends to harm them, fire will come out of their mouths to devour their enemies: this is how whoever intends to harm them will perish. They have the power to close the sky and hold back the rain during the time of their prophetic mission; they also have the power to change water into blood, and punish the earth with a thousand plagues, anytime they wish.
But when my witnesses have fulfilled their mission, the beast that comes up from the abyss will make war upon them, and will conquer and kill them. Their dead bodies will lie in the square of the Great City which the believers figuratively call Sodom or Egypt, where their Lord was crucified. And their dead bodies will be exposed for three days and a half to people of all tribes, races, languages and nations who will be ordered not to have them buried.
Then the inhabitants of the earth will rejoice, congratulate one another and exchange gifts among themselves because these two prophets were a torment to them.
But after those three and a half days, a spirit of life coming from God entered them. They then stood up, and those who looked at them were seized with great fear. A loud voice from heaven called them, "Come up here." So they went up to heaven in the midst of the clouds in the sight of their enemies.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 144:1, 2, 9-10
Blessed be the Lord, my Rock!

Gospel Reading: Lk 20:27-40
 

Some Sadducees arrived. These people claim that there is no resurrection and they asked Jesus this question, "Master, in the Scripture Moses told us: 'If anyone dies leaving a wife but no children, his brother must take the wife, and the child to be born will be regarded as the child of the deceased man.' Now, there were seven brothers; the first married a wife, but he died without children; and the second and the third took the wife; in fact all seven died leaving no children. Last of all the woman died. On the day of the resurrection, to which of them will the woman be wife? For the seven had her as wife."
And Jesus replied, "Taking husband or wife is proper to people of this world, but for those who are considered worthy of the world to come and of resurrection from the dead, there is no more marriage. Besides, they cannot die for they are like the angels. They too are sons and daughters of God because they are born of the resurrection.
"Yes, the dead will be raised, and even Moses implied it in the passage about the burning bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. For he is God of the living and not of the dead, and for him all are alive."
Some teachers of the Law then agreed with Jesus, "Master, you have spoken well." They didn't dare to ask him anything else.

Commentary
The greatness and beauty of heaven lies far beyond our capacity to imagine. All will be made new, and people will be able to love and be loved in a perfect way.
Questions like the ones posed by the Sadducees might capture the imagination, but they are hardly relevant. In our Father's house there are many dwellings, and God has prepared a place for each of us. In that place we will be supremely happy, for we shall enjoy perfect communion with our God and all the saints in glory, and we will partake of the banquet of the Kingdom for all eternity.
 

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November 23
Sunday

Christ the King

First Reading: Ezk 34:11-12, 15-17

Indeed Yahweh says this: I myself will care for my sheep and watch over them. As the shepherd looks after his flock when he finds them scattered, so will I watch over my sheep and gather them from all the places where they were scattered in a time of cloud and fog.
I myself will tend my sheep and let them rest, word of Yahweh. I will search for the lost and lead back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the fat and strong will be eliminated. I will shepherd my flock with justice.
As for you, my flock-says Yahweh-I will distinguish between one sheep and another, and set apart rams and goats.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 23:1-2, 2-3, 5, 6
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
 

Second Reading: 1 Cor 15:20-26, 28
 

Brothers and sisters, Christ has been raised from the dead and he comes before all those who have fallen asleep. A human being brought death; a human being also brings resurrection of the dead. All die for being Adam's, and in Christ all will receive life. However, each one in his own time: first Christ, then Christ's people, when he comes.
Then the end will come, when Christ delivers the kingdom to God the Father, after having destroyed every rule, authority and power. For he must reign and put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed will be death.
When the Father has subjected everything to him, the Son will place himself under the One who subjected everything to him. From then on, God will be all in all.
 

Gospel Reading: Mt 25:31-46
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "When the Son of Man comes in his glory with all his angels, he will sit on the throne of his Glory. All the nations will be brought before him, and as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, so will he do with them, placing the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
"The King will say to those on his right: 'Come, blessed of my Father! Take possession of the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me into your house. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to see me.'
"Then the good people will ask him: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and give you food; thirsty and give you drink, or a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to see you?' The King will answer, 'Truly, I say to you: whenever you did this to these little ones who are my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.'
"Then he will say to those on his left: 'Go, cursed people, out of my sight into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you did not give me anything to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you did not welcome me into your house; I was naked and you did not clothe me; I was sick and in prison and you did not visit me.'
"They, too, will ask: 'Lord, when did we see you hungry, thirsty, naked or a stranger, sick or in prison, and did not help you?' The King will answer them: 'Truly, I say to you: whatever you did not do for one of these little ones, you did not do for me.'
"And these will go into eternal punishment, but the just to eternal life."

Commentary
By imitating the self-giving of Jesus we become more like Him, thereby growing in holiness.
Jesus extended Himself to the poor, the lame, the blind and the leprous time and time again. He went out of His way to show His care and concern for the poor and the less fortunate. So must we if we want to walk along the path of holiness. We cannot be both selfish and Christ-like at the same time. Indeed we will be judged on how well we kept the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
 

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November 24
Monday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
Andrew Dung-Lac and Companions

First Reading: Rev 14:1-3, 4b-5

I was given another vision: The Lamb was standing on Mount Zion, surrounded by one hundred and forty-four thousand people who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. A sound reverberated in heaven like the sound of the roaring of waves or deafening thunder; it was like a chorus of singers, accompanied by their harps.
They sing a new song before the throne, in the presence of the four living creatures and the elders, a song which no one can learn except the hundred and forty-four thousand who have been taken from the earth. They are those who were not defiled with women but were chaste; these are given to follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They are the first taken from humankind who are already of God and the Lamb. No deceit has been found in them; they are faultless.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6
Lord, this is the people that longs to see your face.

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:1-4
 

Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasure box; he also saw a poor widow dropping in two small coins. And he said, "Truly, I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. For all gave an offering from their plenty, but she, out of her poverty, gave all she had to live on."

Commentary
Everyone has something to offer the Lord, even the poorest of the poor. In fact, the poor often put the wealthy to shame by their generosity and their willingness to help others in need.
We only have something to offer the Lord because He has first given to us. The Lord bestows upon us blessings in abundance. Our material and spiritual offerings are signs of our gratitude to the Lord for all that He has done for us. May these offerings reflect the magnanimity of our God, and may we remember that He will not be outdone in generosity.
 

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November 25
Tuesday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
Catherine of Alexandria

First Reading: Rev 14:14-19

Then I had this vision. I saw a white cloud and the one sitting on it like a son of man, wearing a golden crown on his head and a sharp sickle in his hand. An angel came out of the sanctuary, calling loudly to the one sitting on the cloud, "Put in your sickle and reap, for harvest time has come and the harvest of the earth is ripe." He who was sitting on the cloud swung his sickle at the earth and reaped the harvest.
Then another angel, who also had a sharp sickle, came out of the heavenly sanctuary. Still another angel, the one who has charge of the altar fire, emerged and shouted to the first who held the sharp sickle, "Swing your sharp sickle and reap the bunches of the vine of the earth for they are fully ripe." So the angel swung his sickle and gathered in the vintage, throwing all the grapes into the great winepress of the anger of God.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 96:10, 11-12, 13
The Lord comes to judge the earth.

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:5-11
 

While some people were talking about the Temple, remarking that it was adorned with fine stonework and rich gifts, Jesus said to them, "The days will come when there shall not be left one stone upon another of all that you now admire; all will be torn down." And they asked him, "Master, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?"
Jesus then said, "Take care not to be deceived, for many will come claiming my title and saying: 'I am he, the Messiah; the time is at hand.' Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and troubled times, don't be frightened; for all this must happen first, even though the end is not so soon."
And Jesus said, "Nations will fight each other and kingdom will oppose kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and plagues; in many places strange and terrifying signs from heaven will be seen."

Commentary
Many people try to make a connection between these words of Jesus and re-cent disasters, such as floods, earthquakes and storms. Jesus tells us that there will be signs on earth and in the heavens, yet He also tells us that we know neither the day nor the hour of His return in glory.
Meanwhile, we await the coming of the Lord by striving to remain steadfast in virtue and unwavering in holiness. We are called to be ready for the day of the Lord, so that when He comes we might not be found unprepared.

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November 26
Wednesday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 15:1-4

Then I saw another great and marvelous sign in the heavens: seven angels brought seven plagues which are the last, for with these the wrath of God will end. There was a sea of crystal mingled with fire, and the conquerors of the beast, of its name and the mark of its name stood by it.
They had been given the celestial harps and they sang the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb:
Great and marvelous are your works,
O Lord,
God and Master of the universe.
Justice and truth guide your steps,
O King of the nations.
Lord, who will not give honor and glory to your Name?
For you alone are holy.
All the nations will come and bow before you,
for they have now seen your judgments.
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 7-8, 9
Great and wonderful are all your works, Lord, mighty God!
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:12-19
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "People will lay their hands on you and persecute you; you will be delivered to the Jewish courts and put in prison, and for my sake you will be brought before kings and governors. This will be your opportunity to bear witness.
"So keep this in mind: do not worry in advance about what to answer, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict.
"You will be betrayed even by parents, and brothers, by relatives and friends, and some of you will be put to death. But even though you are hated by all for my name's sake, not a hair of your head will perish. Through perseverance you will possess your own selves

Commentary
Though difficult days lie in store for those who follow the Lord, we are not alone. The Lord promises to remain with us always, even until the end of the age. Furthermore, He promises that He will give us words to say when we are put to the test.
Countless martyrs have taken confidence in these words of Jesus and have persevered to the end despite having to endure persistent ridicule and cruel torture. By example and intercession the holy martyrs give us courage to live our faith in an age that is increasingly hostile to the Gospel.
 

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November 27
Thursday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 18:1-2, 21-23; 19:1-3, 9a

After this I, John, saw another angel coming down from heaven. In a strong voice he cried out:
"Fallen is Babylon the great! Fallen!
She has become a haunt of demons,
a lodge for every unclean spirit,
a nest for any filthy and disgusting bird.
A powerful angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying:
"With such violence will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down, never again to be seen.
Never again will tunes of harpists, minstrels, trumpeters and flutists be heard in you.
Never again will the light of a lamp shine in you. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never again be heard in you.
After this I heard what sounded like the loud singing of a great assembly in heaven:
Alleluia! Salvation, glory and might belong to our God,
for his judgments are true and just.
He has condemned the great harlot who corrupted the world with her adultery.
He has avenged his servants' blood shed by her hand in harlotry.
Once more they sang: Alleluia! The smoke from her goes up for ever and ever!
Then the angel told me, "Write: Happy are those invited to the wedding of the Lamb." And he went on, "These are true words of God."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 100:1b-2, 3, 4, 5
Blessed are they who are called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:20-28
 

Jesus said to his disciples, "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then you must know that the time has come when it will be reduced to a wasteland. Then, if you are in Judea, flee to the mountains; if you are in the city, leave it; and let those who are in the fields not return to the city.
"For these will be the days of its punishment and all that was announced in the Scripture will be fulfilled. How hard will it be for pregnant women and for mothers with babies at the breast! For a great calamity will come upon the land, and divine justice upon this people. They will be put to death by the sword or taken as slaves to other nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled upon by the pagans until the time of the pagans is fulfilled.
"Then there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth anguish of perplexed nations when they hear the roaring of the sea and its waves. People will faint with fear at the mere thought of what is to come upon the world, for the forces of the universe will be shaken. And at this time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
"Now, when you see the first events, stand erect and lift up your heads, for your deliverance is drawing near."
 

Commentary
Just as every symphony has a finale and every story an ending, so will the tapestry of our human experience be unfolded when the Lord comes in glory.
In this world we view this tapestry only from the back, seeing only the loose ends of the threads. But on the day of the Lord we will see the tapestry from the front and discover that the dark threads add as much to its beauty as do the threads of silver and gold. Then will the wisdom of the Artist be revealed, then will our faith be vindicated.
 

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November 28
Friday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 20:1-4, 11-21:2

Then an angel came down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the Abyss and a huge chain. He seized the monster, the ancient serpent, namely Satan or the devil, and chained him for a thousand years. He threw him into the abyss and closed its gate with the key, then secured it with locks, that he might not deceive the nations in the future until the thousand years have passed. Then he will be released for a little while.
There were thrones and seated on them were those with the power to judge. I then saw the spirits of those who had been beheaded for having held the teachings of Jesus and on account of the word of God. I saw all those who had refused to worship the beast or its image, or receive its mark on the forehead or on the hand. They returned to life and reigned with the Messiah for a thousand years. This is the first resurrection.
After that I saw a great and splendid throne and the one seated upon it. At once heaven and earth disappeared, leaving no trace. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before the throne while books were opened. Another book, the Book of Life, was also opened. Then the dead were judged according to the records of these books, that is, each one according to his works.
The sea gave up the dead it had kept, as did death and the netherworld, so that all might be judged according to their works. Then death and the netherworld were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. All who were not recorded in the Book of Life were thrown into the lake of fire.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had passed away and no longer was there any sea. I saw the new Jerusalem, the holy city coming down from God, out of heaven, adorned as a bride prepared for her husband.

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 84:3, 4, 5-6a and 8a
Here God lives among his people.
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:29-33
 

Jesus told his disciples this comparison, "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. As soon as their buds sprout, you know that summer is already near. In the same way, as soon as you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Truly, I tell you, this generation will not pass away, until all this has happened: heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away."

Commentary
The Kingdom of God is near. These words were true when Jesus first spoke them, and they are true today. The Kingdom comes when Jesus heals the sick and raises up the lame. The Kingdom comes when the apostles go forth to establish the Church, baptizing and forming a new generation of disciples. The Kingdom comes when faith-filled men and women of every generation and culture proclaim the truth of the Gospel without compromise.
Yes the Kingdom will come on a day we least expect. Still, the Kingdom comes as we speak, for the Kingdom of God is within.

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November 29
Saturday

34th Week in Ordinary Time
 

First Reading: Rev 22:1-7

Then he showed me the river of life, clear as crystal, gushing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of the city, on both sides of the river are the trees of life producing fruit twelve times, once each month, the leaves of which are for healing the nations.
No longer will there be a curse; the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the City and God's servants will live in his presence. They will see his face and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of lamp or sun for God himself will be their light and they will reign forever.
Then the angel said to me, "These words are sure and true; the Lord God who inspires the prophets has sent his angel to show his servants what must happen soon.
"I am coming soon! Happy are those who keep the prophetic words of this book."
 

Responsorial Psalm:
Ps 95:1-2, 3-5, 6-7ab
Marana tha! Come, Lord Jesus!
 

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:34-36
 

Jesus said to his disciples: "Be on your guard; let not your hearts be weighed down with a life of pleasure, drunkenness and worldly cares, lest that day catch you suddenly as a trap. For it will come upon all the inhabitants of the whole earth. But watch at all times and pray, that you may be able to escape all that is bound to happen and to stand before the Son of Man."