God's Word for Today (Scripture Reflections)

Sunday 27 October 2024 – XXX Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Mass Readings: Jer 31:7-9    Ps 126    Heb 5:1-6    Mk 10:46-52 Key verse to Meditate: As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside (Mk 10:46). Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, Today, the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time presents us with the encounter of the blind beggar, Bartimaeus of Jericho. This story closes the "section on the road" in Mark’s Gospel, which began after the feeding of the four thousand with the healing of the blind man at Bethsaida (Mk 8:22-26). Thus, this section starts and concludes with healings on the journey to Jerusalem, preparing us for Jesus’ eventual triumphal entry into the Holy City. Today’s readings also emphasize themes of restoration and divine inclusion. The first reading from Jeremiah envisions the blind among those returning from exile, while the second reading from Hebrews refl

Sunday 20 October 2024 – XXIX Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Mass Readings: Is 53:10-11    Ps 33    Heb 4:14-16    Mk 10:35-45 Key Verse to Meditate: "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." (Mk 10:37). My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, The Liturgy of the Word on this Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to embrace the true essence of discipleship. We are called to follow Jesus by adopting a mindset of humble service, rooted in love, rather than seeking positions of power and dominance over others. Today's readings speak to us about service, particularly the kind of service exemplified by Jesus, the Suffering Servant of Yahweh. The early disciples' expectations of greatness starkly contrasted with the mission of Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve (Mk 10:45) . In today’s Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples that the criteria for greatness in the Kingdom of God are the opposite of those in the

  Sunday 13 October 2024 – XXVIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Mass Readings: Wis 7: 7-11    Ps 90    Heb 4:12-13    Mk 10: 17-30. Key Verse to Meditate: "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mk 10:17). Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus, On this Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are presented with the poignant encounter between Jesus and the rich young man, who asks the profound question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" This Gospel passage invites us to reflect on the theme of eternal life and the radical call to embrace poverty of spirit for the sake of the Kingdom of God. This narrative appears in all three Synoptic Gospels-Matthew, Mark, and Luke (Mt  19: 16-30; Lk 18:18-30). They each tell us that the young man was rich and deeply concerned with his eternal destiny. Matthew emphasizes his youth, while Luke adds that he was a ruler, signifying his status and influence. The First Reading: The Wisdom to D

  Sunday 6 October 2024 –XXVII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Mass Readings: Gen 2:18-24    Ps 128    Heb 2:9-11    Mk 10:2-16 Key Verse to Meditate: A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife (Mk 10:7). My Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,   The liturgy of this 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time brings us the profound teaching from the Gospel of St. Mark on the indissolubility of marriage and the attitudes required to be part of the Kingdom of God. The readings, which address marriage fidelity and divorce, reaffirm the values of equality, respect, and fraternal living between husband and wife. The first reading from the book of Genesis captures the foundational beliefs of the Old Testament regarding the nature and purpose of marriage. The creation of woman from the rib of man signifies that she was essential for the complete happiness of man. The teaching on adultery (Mt 5:27-30) and divorce (Mt 5:31-32; 19:1-2/Mk 10:1-12) is presented clearly, laying