November 2024: Seeing Your Life Through The Lens of The Gospel
John Byrne OSA
Email [email protected]
Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time
3 November 2024
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Today’s gospel brings us right to the heart of what a Christian life involves: love of God and of neighbour. Jesus tells us that having life both now and in the future is the fruit of living in a spirit of love. How have you experienced the power of love given, and received, as a source of life and vitality?
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If you were asked what is most important in life, what would your answer be? Recall the experiences and relationships you have had. Which are the ones that you treasure most? What has particularly enriched your life? How would you encourage another person who asked you how s/he could live a full life?
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Jesus praises the questioner as one who had answered wisely. Recall some of the wise people you have known, people who in their words and actions impressed you with their capacity to see and treasure what is important in life.
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Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
10 November 2024
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The scribes are presented as ostentatious and devious, acting more out of self-interest than the love of God or people. There can be a element of self-interest in each of us. Perhaps there have been times when you have been disturbed by glimpsing in yourself ‘other motives’ in your doing good. Recall when you were awakened to this fact. Where was the good news for you in that awakening?
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In material terms what the widow had to offer was very little. Recall when you felt yourself called to give and gave even though you apparently had very little. Perhaps you have had the experience of finding that what you thought was little and insignificant meant a great deal to another person. Recall some of those moments.
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At this critical moment for the church Pope Francis has called a synod and has invited all believers to make a contribution. It’s easy for us to see this as a call to professional church people, clergy and religious. They have always taken care of this kind of thing. Now the call is that the voices of the little ones can also be heard. How can you help this to happen in your church community?
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Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time
17 November 2024 • World Day of the Poor
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Jesus speaks of the established order falling apart, but the collapse of the old order opened the way for new possibilities. Our church is in crisis, and the world is facing climate disaster. Where have you seen something new and hopeful emerge in the midst of all this, e.g. some action arising from better eco awareness (less waste, a community garden, et al)?
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The parable of the fig tree. Even in winter it begins to put forth leaves which give a hint of the fruit to come. Where have you found signs of hope in a wintry situation – in your own life, in the life of some group, in the life of the Church, in our world?
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Jesus proposes no clear time-scale for the events being foretold, so the final sentence (v.32) is a call to alertness, because God can come to us in different ways each day. What difference does it make to you when you are able to live the present moment to the full?
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
24 November 2024
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The feast we have today, and the gospel, give us an opportunity to reflect on the different ways in which we, and others, exercise influence and leadership. The authority of Pilate came from position and power. The authority of Jesus came from his integrity and what he stood for. Recall leaders you have known whose influence was like that of Jesus (teachers, community leaders, family members).
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The values of the kingdom of God cannot be imposed. It is never a matter of fighting battles, or forcing others into compliance. Perhaps through experience you have learned the limitations of the use of force, as a parent, a teacher, a group leader. What has been the good news, the learnings for you, in this?
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Jesus came to bear witness to the truth and we are all created for a purpose. Who are today’s witnesses to truth in the world? Who are the people whose witness to truth has impressed you, either now or in the past? In what way have you been able to be a witness to truth? What was it like for you to be such a witness?
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