13 October/Wednesday/28th Week in Ordinary Time, 

Rom 2,1-11/Psa 62,2-3.6-7.9/Luke 11,42-46

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi, Fianu, SVD

 First Reading Romans 2:1-11

Do you think you will escape God's judgement?

 No matter who you are, if you pass judgement you have no excuse. In judging others you condemn yourself, since you behave no differently from those you judge. We know that God condemns that sort of behaviour impartially: and when you judge those who behave like this while you are doing exactly the same, do you think you will escape God’s judgement? Or are you abusing his abundant goodness, patience and toleration, not realising that this goodness of God is meant to lead you to repentance? Your stubborn refusal to repent is only adding to the anger God will have towards you on that day of anger when his just judgements will be made known. He will repay each one as his works deserve. For those who sought renown and honour and immortality by always doing good there will be eternal life; for the unsubmissive who refused to take truth for their guide and took depravity instead, there will be anger and fury. Pain and suffering will come to every human being who employs himself in evil – Jews first, but Greeks as well; renown, honour and peace will come to everyone who does good – Jews first, but Greeks as well. God has no favourites.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 61(62):2-3,6-7,9

Lord, you repay each man according to his deeds.

In God alone is my soul at rest;

    my help comes from him.

He alone is my rock, my stronghold,

    my fortress: I stand firm.

In God alone be at rest, my soul;

    for my hope comes from him.

He alone is my rock, my stronghold,

    my fortress: I stand firm.

Take refuge in God, all you people.

    Trust him at all times.

Pour out your hearts before him

    for God is our refuge.

Gospel Acclamation:  cf. Psa 26:11

Alleluia, alleluia!

Instruct me, Lord, in your way;

on an even path lead me.

Alleluia!

Gospel Luke 11:42-46

You overlook justice and the love of God

The Lord said to the Pharisees: ‘Alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone. Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares! Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it!

A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’

‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.’

Reflection

In the First Reading, Paul focuses on the impartiality of God. He demonstrates the fairness of God in judging all peoples, first the Jews and the Gentiles as well. The impartiality of God is the basis for counselling the one(s) Paul refers to simply as “you [who] judge those who behave like this while you are doing exactly the same.” To find out who these people are, we need to know the things they also do just like the ones they are judging. In all probability, we have to go back to Rom 1,18-32 where Paul presents a list of vices upon which God frowns. Paul holds that we cannot judge people who behave in the same way as ourselves. That would be sheer hypocrisy. Those who act hypocritically would not escape the judgment of God.

The warning of Paul is not meant to frighten anyone us. He only advises us to be careful how we judge people. At times, we criticise and judge others for things that we do ourselves. In such situations, we present ourselves as if we are better than those we judge or we are more saintly than those we judge. If we know within ourselves that we are not better than those we judge, then we should refrain from judging them. In this way, we would not incur the anger of God.

The advice of Paul in the First Reading is in line with what Jesus tells the Pharisees in the Gospel Reading. The warning of Jesus to the Pharisees is applicable to any person who behaves in a similar way. We should endeavour to let our external religious practices correspond to what we are within. God is not more concerned about our external religious manifestations than what we really are within ourselves. God wants our external religious manifestations to correspond to what is within us. Actually, what we show externally should be the fruit of what we live within ourselves. Let us strive to let our external religious acts correspond to our interior life so that our whole being may glorify God.

11 October/Monday/28th Week in Ordinary Time, 

Rom 1,1-7/Psa 98,1.2-3.3-4/Luke 11,29-32

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading  Romans 1:1-7

Our apostolic mission is to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus who has been called to be an apostle, and specially chosen to preach the Good News that God promised long ago through his prophets in the scriptures.

This news is about the Son of God who, according to the human nature he took was a descendant of David: it is about Jesus Christ our Lord who, in the order of the spirit, the spirit of holiness that was in him, was proclaimed Son of God in all his power through his resurrection from the dead. Through him we received grace and our apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith to all pagan nations in honour of his name. You are one of these nations, and by his call belong to Jesus Christ. To you all, then, who are God’s beloved in Rome, called to be saints, may God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ send grace and peace.

Responsorial Psalm  Psalm 97(98):1-4

The Lord has made known his salvation.

Sing a new song to the Lord

    for he has worked wonders.

His right hand and his holy arm

    have brought salvation.

The Lord has made known his salvation;

    has shown his justice to the nations.

He has remembered his truth and love

    for the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen

    the salvation of our God.

Shout to the Lord, all the earth,

    ring out your joy.

Gospel Acclamation Psa 118:88

Alleluia, alleluia!

Because of your love give me life,

and I will do your will.

Alleluia!

Gospel:  Luke 11:29-32

As Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be a sign

The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:

‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’

Reflection

Jesus called those who requested a sign from heaven to prove his authority a wicked generation. Their wickedness lies in their refusal to see the actions Jesus performed in their sight as proof of his authority. All that Jesus has done and said was enough to lead his audience to faith in him. Despite this, some of the people still doubted and requested further proof of his authority. This could be a sign of their own slowness to read the signs of the times. They consequently failed to deduce from these signs that the kingdom of God was in their midst in the person of Jesus. Their request for a proof from heaven could also be a subtle way of expressing their unbelief in Jesus.

The “sign of Jonah” of which Jesus speaks in the Gospel Reading is Jonah himself. His ministry in Nineveh was a very short but effective one. He preached for a day and the people of Nineveh, beginning with their king, believed in his words. They repented of their evil deeds and God forgave them all the evil they did. The Ninevites were non-Jews just like the Queen of the South. Jesus used these two examples to tell his audience that those who are far away from the grace of God or the signs of God find it easier to believe and obtain salvation than those who hold a claim to God.

We do not need signs and wonders today to believe in Jesus. We have his word to guide us together with the testimony of his disciples who were with him throughout his public ministry.

The Word of God that is proclaimed by the Church is enough to lead us to faith. Paul, in the First Reading, informed the Romans that he was chosen to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ. He has been given the apostolic mission to preach the obedience of faith. Our closeness to the word can however let us underrate its worth and so fail to embrace the fullness of its message. Jesus advises us to recall the examples of the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba. He invites us to cultivate similar openness of heart so that the Word of God can take root in our hearts.

12 October/Tuesday/28th Week in Ordinary Time,

Rom 1,16-25/Psa 19,2-3.4-5/Luke 11,37-41

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, Fianu 

First Reading: Romans 1:16-25

These people knew God and failed to honour him

I am not ashamed of the Good News: it is the power of God saving all who have faith – Jews first, but Greeks as well – since this is what reveals the justice of God to us: it shows how faith leads to faith, or as scripture says: The upright man finds life through faith.

The anger of God is being revealed from heaven against all the impiety and depravity of men who keep truth imprisoned in their wickedness. For what can be known about God is perfectly plain to them since God himself has made it plain. Ever since God created the world his everlasting power and deity – however invisible – have been there for the mind to see in the things he has made. That is why such people are without excuse: they knew God and yet refused to honour him as God or to thank him; instead, they made nonsense out of logic and their empty minds were darkened. The more they called themselves philosophers, the more stupid they grew, until they exchanged the glory of the immortal God for a worthless imitation, for the image of mortal man, of birds, of quadrupeds and reptiles. That is why God left them to their filthy enjoyments and the practices with which they dishonour their own bodies, since they have given up divine truth for a lie and have worshipped and served creatures instead of the creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen!

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 18(19):2-5

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God,

    and the firmament shows forth the work of his hands.

Day unto day takes up the story

    and night unto night makes known the message.

No speech, no word, no voice is heard

    yet their span extends through all the earth,

    their words to the utmost bounds of the world.

Gospel Acclamation: Psa 118:135

Alleluia, alleluia!

Let your face shine on your servant,

and teach me your decrees.

Alleluia!

Gospel                                                                                                               Luke 11:37-41

Give thanks for what you have and it will all be clean

Jesus had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table. The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal. But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness. Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too? Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.’

Reflection

The first two verses of the First Reading, that is Rom 1,16-17 present the theme of the entire Letter to the Romans. In these verses, Paul offers us the basis of his affirmation that he is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which he has been called to proclaim to the nations. Since he is writing to a community he did not know personally, he is at pains to establish the basis of his teaching and commissioning as Apostle to the Gentiles. Paul describes in a very concise way what he understands by the Good News of Jesus Christ. He lays emphasis on the nature and essence of the Gospel as “the power of God saving all who have faith”. He sees faith as the basis of salvation so that if a person does not have faith, he/she cannot experience the saving power of God. Rom 1,16b is therefore very central to the entire letter to the Romans. Paul would use the letter to explain what he means by “the power of God saving all who have faith”. In Rom 1,17 Paul already offers justification for the assertion he made in the previous verse.

Like Paul, we should not be afraid of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is the foundation of our faith. Jesus said in Matt 10, 33 “the one who disowns me in the presence of human beings, I would disown in the presence of my Father in heaven.” As people of faith, we are called to witness to Christ in every life situation. We cannot be Christians only in the quiet of our rooms or on Sundays. We have to be Christians wherever we are and at every moment of our lives. We have to stand for the truth of the Gospel in every situation. We should not be afraid for our lives because we witness to the faith. In the First Reading, Paul affirms that “the upright man finds life through faith.” Our uprightness can lead to people persecuting us but we should remember that it was not different with Christ.

9 October/Saturday/27th Week in Ordinary Time,  

 Joel 4,12-21/Psa 97,1-2.5-6.11-12/Luke 11,27-28

By Most Rev. Emmanuel Kofi Fianu, SVD

First Reading  Joel 4:12-21

The day of the Lord is near; sun and moon grow dark

The Lord says this:

‘Let the nations rouse themselves, let them march

to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,

for I am going to sit in judgement there

on all the nations round.

Put the sickle in:

the harvest is ripe;

come and tread:

the winepress is full,

the vats are overflowing,

so great is their wickedness!’

Host on host

in the Valley of Decision!

For the day of the Lord is near

in the Valley of Decision!

Sun and moon grow dark,

the stars lose their brilliance.

The Lord roars from Zion,

makes his voice heard from Jerusalem;

heaven and earth tremble.

But the Lord will be a shelter for his people,

a stronghold for the sons of Israel.

‘You will learn then that I am the Lord your God,

dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain.

Jerusalem will be a holy place,

no alien will ever pass through it again.’

When that day comes,

the mountains will run with new wine

and the hills flow with milk,

and all the river beds of Judah

will run with water.

A fountain will spring from the house of the Lord

to water the wadi of Acacias.

Egypt will become a desolation,

Edom a desert waste

on account of the violence done to the sons of Judah

whose innocent blood they shed in their country.

But Judah will be inhabited for ever,

Jerusalem from age to age.

‘I will avenge their blood and let none go unpunished’,

and the Lord shall make his home in Zion.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96(97):1-2,5-6,11-12

Rejoice, you just, in the Lord.

The Lord is king, let earth rejoice,

    let all the coastlands be glad.

Cloud and darkness are his raiment;

    his throne, justice and right.

The mountains melt like wax

    before the Lord of all the earth.

The skies proclaim his justice;

    all peoples see his glory.

Light shines forth for the just

    and joy for the upright of heart.

Rejoice, you just, in the Lord;

    give glory to his holy name.

Gospel Acclamation:  John 14:23

Alleluia, alleluia!

If anyone loves me he will keep my word,

and my Father will love him,

and we shall come to him.

Alleluia!

Gospel:  Luke 11:27-28

'Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!'

As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’ But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

Reflection

We generally speak of the prophet Joel as a prophet who called the people of Israel to repentance. The First Reading today is however not a message of repentance. The prophet speaks more of restoration, giving the assurance that the enemies of Israel would be eliminated and Israel would live in peace. The prophet uses different imageries to bring home his message. The first is the agricultural imagery with the sickle which is the sign that the harvest is ready. As the farmer harvests with the sickle, he decides the fate of the grain as well as the chaff. Harvest time is also a moment of decision which reflects what God intends to do with the enemies of Israel. He would count them among the chaff that is meant for destruction in the burning fire.

Of greater concern is the last verses of the reading where God promises to avenge the blood of the sons of Judah. The nations have killed the children of the nation of Judah. Now God has decided to avenge their blood but we know that the God of Israel is a merciful God. The form that God’s revenge would take is not indicated by the prophet. We can however imagine that he was speaking still of restoration. We do not have indications of precisely how that restoration would be done but we see it more in line with the restoration of peace in Judah. The promise of vindication should offer the people of Israel the urge to remain faithful and to continue to trust in the Lord. Those who are able to do so would see the glory of God at the appointed time. More than simply awaiting the vindication of God, we are invited to learn from the response of Jesus in the Gospel Reading. To the woman who praised his mother, Jesus said “Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!” We would also be happier if we keep the word of God because his word is certain.