Wed., Nov. 4: Rom 13:8-10; Luke 14:25-33

Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another. What an interesting juxtaposition of readings today. From the Gospel: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters … he cannot be my disciple.” St. Paul tells us to love. This might be an opportunity to talk about the difference between “feeling” love and “doing” love. Being “in love” does not put us above the law. Doing the loving thing is what fulfills the law. To do that we have to place Jesus first, even before those he puts on our path to love.

*Lord Jesus, help us to love others by placing you first

Tues., Nov. 3: Rom 12:5-16b; Luke 14:15-24

Rejoice in hope. The first reading today could serve as the outline for a daily examination of conscience. In just a few short lines, St. Paul summarizes what it is to live as a disciple of Jesus. And who is such a disciple? Anyone who is willing to accept the invitation, just as the parable in today’s Gospel indicates. I wonder how St. Luke’s audience received this parable, gentiles who discover they are in line behind the poor, blind and lame. It reminds me of a little poem, “Company of the Absurd,” in Madeleine L’Engle’s collection of essays The Irrational Season: “I share communion with the halt, / the lame, the blind, oppressed, depressed. / we have, it seems, a common fault / in coming to you to be blessed.” St. Martin de Porres knew this well as he ministered to the least. Lord Jesus, thank you for counting me among your friends.

* May I receive everyone as you receive me?

Mon., Nov. 2: Wis 3:1-9; Rom 5:5-11; John 6:37-40

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

The souls of the just are in the hands of God: In our parish we have a comforting custom. On the first Sunday of November and on All Souls Day itself, we sing the Litany of Saints as the gathering song. (We prefer the arrangement by John Becker.) After all ministers are in place — having walked slowly, slowly — the accompanist continues as the lector or other minister reads the names of parishioners who have died during the past year. We also issue a holy card with those names. In addition to being a ritualized and very lovely reminder of those who have gone before it us, it’s also comforting to know that when we die, our names will be spoken aloud in church. We all want to be remembered.

*For our loved ones who have died, for those who mourn their passing and for all who are preparing for death, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 11:1-2a, 11-12, 25-29; Luke 14:1, 7-11

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Do I hold myself above others because of my nationality, religion, good taste or virtuous life? If I seriously believe that I am intrinsically superior to any of God’s children because of the circumstances of my life, especially my citizenship in God’s kingdom, then I am exalting myself and headed for embarrassment. I need to learn humility, which requires that I discard all masks — Halloween or otherwise — in favor of complete honesty and simple gratitude. All my gifts, especially God’s saving grace, are just that: unearned gifts. Lord, thank you for all your gifts.

*Help me always to use them for your glory and the good of my brothers and sisters.

Our Daily Bread:Rom 9:1-5; Luke 14:1-6

I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.

In yesterday’s Gospel, Jesus wept over Jerusalem because so many refused his message. Today, Paul anguishes over the rift between followers of Christ and his Jewish kin. If we are truly alert to Jesus’ words, "That all may be one," we too should be earnestly praying and honestly working toward understanding and unity among people of different faiths. Christians are divided into many denominations. Jews are divided from Christians; both are divided from Muslims. Yet all of these faiths worship the one God. Let us pray, study and interact with all men and women of faith to forge paths of understanding and bonds of love.

*Lord, teach us to love all those who love you, for your sake.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:31b-39; Luke 13:31-35

If God is for us, who can be against us?

A cynic’s response: "Everyone else." We are sometimes overwhelmed by the obstacles we encounter as we seek to do God’s will. We feel abandoned by our friends and even by God. Today’s first reading is an impassioned argument in support of faith. Paul, who certainly knew temptation and opposition, boldly challenges us to believe and to act fearlessly on our belief because God the all-mighty, who is closer to us than our heartbeat, stronger than the worst evil we will ever face, loves us immeasurably and sustains us unfailingly. The more we affirm our faith and act on it, the stronger our faith becomes.

*Let us make a daily act of faith part of our lives. Lord, I believe. Help my disbelief.

Our Daily Bread: Eph 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-16

Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred to the Lord.

We know very little about the apostles Simon (the Zealot) and Jude, as is the case with most of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus certainly chose some unlikely people to be his closest companions and to guide the church after his ascension — ignorant fishermen, a despised tax collector and a one-time member of the rebellious Zealots. The point is beautifully made in the first reading. We, like the apostles, are being formed through Christ into a temple for God. We are perfected by God’s grace in Jesus Christ. None of us earns this or deserves it. It is all God’s gracious gift.

*We thank you, Lord, for making us your own; use us as you will.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:18-25; Luke 13:18-21

The sufferings of the present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us. We all become impatient, even with God. We work and pray for universal concerns like war, poverty and children denied life, or — closer to home — an alienated loved one or a child who has left the church. We donate money, time and skills to healing the ills of the world and our loved ones. When we seem to see no change, we almost despair. But our prayers and sufferings are not in vain. God builds the kingdom through us, quietly, like leavening yeast and germinating seed … but in God’s time.

*Lord, grant us the grace to trust in you, hope in you and love you in all people, for your love’s sake.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:12-17; Luke 13:10-17

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Paul warns us, as daughters and sons of God, against allowing ourselves to become slaves to the flesh. This goes beyond inappropriate behaviors involving eating, drinking and sexual activity. We live in such a consumer-driven culture that it might not occur to us that we are also being warned against the pitfalls of materialism or perhaps just plain selfishness. In these times, when so many are experiencing economic hardship and global disaster threatens, let us thank God for what we have, actively seek ways to help those whose need is greater than ours, and explore a simpler, more neighborly, more earth-friendly lifestyle.

*Lord, teach us that being your children calls for simplicity, sharing and stewardship.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 8:1-11; Luke 13:1-9

Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future.

We put off reforming our lives. God is patient, but how long can we procrastinate? Do we really want to find out? Let’s get serious about having something to show as disciples of the Lord. A daily examination of conscience will cultivate our hearts for the repentance we need to show. Gratitude used in a conscious, active way can be good fertilizer for our reform. As we seek God’s will for us each day, surrendering to it and acting upon it in faith, the good fruit for which the Lord looks will surely appear.

*For ongoing conversion that leads to authentic discipleship, we pray.

Our Daily Bread: Rom 7:18-25a; Luke 12:54-59

So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand.

We may take some comfort in knowing that the great St. Paul was as conflicted as we are in our struggles with sin. But why are we so bad at being good? Paul’s analysis uncovers a principle: Wherever we are, whatever we do, evil lurks around every corner. The struggle between good and evil permeates the cosmos, right down to our own hearts. We must continually rout out evil there as we strive also to do so in the world. Our efforts to do good always will include fighting off discouragement over our own weakness and disappointment over the slowness of our progress.

*For courage, patience and growth in virtue, we pray.

Our daily Bread: Rom 6:19-23; Luke 12:49-53

But now that you have been freed from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit that you have leads to sanctification, and its end is eternal life.

Every choice is a renunciation. Our "Yes" to one thing is "No" to another. We choose a life that is pleasing to God by rejecting one that isn’t. If we are growing in faith and goodness, we should be able to recall some sinful habits, attitudes and behaviors to which we have said "No." Perhaps we have renounced gossip, worry or laziness; perhaps dishonesty, smoking or junk food. Maybe we have adopted kinder ways of relating to others or healthier ways of caring for ourselves, our families and the environment. What still needs our "Yes"?

*For holiness and freedom from sin, we pray.