October 20, 2019: Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching:
It is through prayer that the Church engages in the battle for peace. Prayer opens the heart not only to a deep relationship with God but also to an encounter with others marked by respect, understanding, esteem and love. Prayer instils courage and lends support to all “true friends of peace”, those who love peace and strive to promote it in the various circumstances in which they live. Liturgical prayer is “the summit towards which the action of the Church tends and, at the same time, the source from which she draws her strength”. In particular, the Eucharistic celebration, “the source and summit of the Christian life”, is a limitless wellspring for all authentic Christian commitment to peace. (519) Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Readings
First Reading: Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm: 121:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8
Second Reading: 2nd Timothy 3:14-4:2
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
Catechism of the Catholic Church
“Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.” St. Paul adds, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints.” For “we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing.” This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer. (2742) From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
2nd Timothy 4:2-5
At the dawn of this Third Millennium, the Church does not tire of proclaiming the Gospel that brings salvation and genuine freedom also to temporal realities. She is mindful of the solemn exhortation given by Saint Paul to his disciple Timothy: “Preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry” (2 Tim 4:2-5). (2)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
Faith excels in prayer. To acknowledge our lives are not about us in isolation, but in communion with God. A sharing of our humanity with the Divine. The strength of knowing we are not alone, but with God who guards our coming and going. An affirmation found in Scriptures to see the essence of prayer inspiring lives of the past and hear the testimonies of today. A place where our hands may be raised or folded, voices aloud or the silence of our hearts, words recited from memory or ad libbing. Prayer not of a set posture or precedent, but flowing from sincerity of faith, from the sincerity of our salvation. A place of consolation that we are equipped for every good the Lord asks us to delve into, with persistence at times that may seem convenient or widely inconvenient with our schedule. To throw us off our high horse of self-centered agendas into the subtleties of God’s design. A place where we need patience instead of prerogatives, a time for encouragement instead of eloquence. A time to teach by example instead of efficacious words of legalistic rigidity. A life of prayerful persistence trusting in justice. For prayer cannot be done in sincerity without faith. The trusting in God’s openness to our yearnings in words rooted in actions. Since praying without carrying through in our spiritual demeanor erases faith from the conversation. A discernment on our part, rooted through our heart to know and desire the will of God in our lives and the world. Prayer is a conduit housing Divine inspiration. The live wires electrifying faith. An expression of the Holy Spirit where we let prayer take us, transform us is both now and forever into eternity.
Individual Reflection:Luke 18:1-8
This week, write your prayers in a journal, expressing the deepest yearnings of your heart.
Family Reflection: Exodus 17:8-13
Discuss who upholds your lives in prayer. Who can the family pray for to uphold their life?
Prayer: Pray the Our Father and at after each stanza ad lib it’s essence in your faith journey
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
https://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born October 7, 2019 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.
