Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day

Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word

Reflections

• “Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us?” asks Malachi at the end of the first reading (2:10). Indeed, we all have the same Father in heaven, as Jesus points out in the Gospel. We have all been created by God. This should give us some humility, for it means that none of us is created more in the image of God than anyone else. The person I see begging on a street corner or emaciated in a drought-stricken region of the world is created in the image of God, just like me. Therefore, all people deserve a basic dignity because they are created and loved by God. For the same reason, none of us should feel unworthy of that basic dignity because no one is created less in the image of God than anyone else.


• When those in positions of authority treat themselves as superior to the people in their care, such as the priests in Malachi’s diatribe, or burden the people in their care while doing nothing to help them, like the scribes and Pharisees in the Gospel, it poisons the atmosphere for everyone. The deadly sins of pride on the one hand and envy on the other are invited to fester. The sense of entitlement those in authority have can lead to abuse of those without power, and the feelings of powerlessness that the masses have can lead to violence against those in power. Jesus’ lesson for all of us is to realize that we are all called to serve, not to be served: “The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts [themselves] will be humbled; but whoever humbles [themselves] will be exalted” (Matthew 23:11–12). Be humble. Leave the business of exalting to God.

• Saint Paul shows the right attitude: “We were gentle among you” (1 Thessalonians 2: 7). Paul and his small band of missionaries came as servants of the gospel, giving their very selves to serve the people they preached to, and working themselves so as not to burden the people of Thessalonica. By practicing what they preached, they preached much more powerfully than words alone could have done.
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Question of the Week

When do I fail to practice what I preach? What change must I make to do so as effectively as Paul and his fellow disciples?

-from Pastoral Patterns

LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, November 5, 2023

SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, November 5, 2023

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