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Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Monday October 7, 2024

Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Cycle 1 is used in odd numbered years and Cycle 2 is used in even numbered years. The gospel is the same for both years.

  • First Reading (Cycle 1) - Jonah 1:1–2:1-2, 11: Jonah, told by God to go to Nineveh, fled instead. On a ship, a storm arose because of his disobedience. Jonah was thrown overboard to calm the sea and was swallowed by a large fish. After three days, he was released.
  • First Reading (Cycle 2) – Galatians 1:6-12: I'm surprised you're swayed by a different gospel. If anyone preaches differently than what we've taught, they're wrong. I don't aim to please humans. The Gospel I preach is a revelation from Jesus.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Jonah 2: In my distress, I cried to the LORD and He answered. Despite feeling overwhelmed and distant, I held hope, remembering the LORD and my prayers reached His temple.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) – Psalm 111: I thank the LORD wholeheartedly among the righteous. His works are magnificent. His deeds are trustworthy. He has saved his people, confirming his eternal covenant. His praise lasts forever.
  • Gospel - Luke 10:25-37: A scholar questioned Jesus about eternal life. Quoting the law, he recognized loving God and neighbors as key. Wanting clarity, he asked who his neighbor was. Jesus shared a story where a Samaritan aided a beaten man when others didn't. Jesus highlighted the merciful as true neighbors.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

  • Defining Neighborly Love: A scholar questions Jesus about eternal life, leading to a clarification on the true meaning of "neighbor." This theme dives into the depth and breadth of love for others.
  • Parable of Good Samaritan: Jesus uses a parable to illustrate neighborly love, contrasting the actions of a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. This theme showcases unexpected acts of kindness.
  • Breaking Social Barriers: The Samaritan, often despised by Jews, emerges as the hero. This emphasizes the theme of love breaking through cultural or social barriers.
  • Active Compassion: The Samaritan's actions—from tending to wounds to providing for the man's care—illustrate compassion in action. This theme underscores that love isn't just a feeling but is shown through deeds.
  • Concluding Challenge: Jesus ends with a challenge to "go and do likewise." This theme pushes the message from a mere story to a directive for real-life application.

"Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?" He answered, "The one who treated him with mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Luke 10:36-37

Thoughts for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

The gospel for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 10:25-37, contains the Parable of the Good Samaritan, one of the most well-known of Jesus's teachings. A lawyer questions Jesus about inheriting eternal life, leading Jesus to provide this parable as an answer to the question, "Who is my neighbor?"

The initial exchange between the lawyer and Jesus reaffirms the two great commandments: love God and love one's neighbor. While these seem straightforward, the lawyer's question about the identity of the 'neighbor' reveals the human tendency to limit the scope of our responsibility. This is as relevant today as it was then, prompting us to examine who we might be excluding from our circle of care.

The parable itself contrasts the actions of three individuals: a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. The priest and Levite, despite being religious figures, avoid the injured man. This highlights the danger of being so bound by religious rules or personal biases that one misses the essence of faith – compassion. It's a call to ensure that rituals and rules don’t overshadow genuine love and care.

The Samaritan, traditionally an enemy of the Jews, becomes the hero by showing kindness to the injured Jew. This challenges the conventional definitions of 'neighbor' and underscores the universality of love and care. In a world where divisions based on race, religion, and nationality persist, this parable reminds us of the fundamental call to love beyond boundaries.

It is very easy to show love and compassion for people whom we identify with. It is more difficult to show mercy to people who are different from us, either because of where they are from, how they look, their economic status, or their political views. Jesus doesn’t ask us to try to make them more like us or agree with them. He asks us to love them. We must ask if we are open to loving all people. We must consider how we treat those around me from different cultures, religions, and walks of life.

The practical care given by the Samaritan – tending to the man’s wounds, taking him to an inn, and ensuring his future care – emphasizes that love is not just about feelings but concrete actions. Catholics are reminded that their faith should translate into tangible support and assistance to those in need.

In conclusion, the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37 challenges us to expand our understanding of 'neighbor,' to prioritize compassion over convention, to love beyond traditional boundaries, and to manifest their faith through concrete acts of kindness.

Prayer for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Lord Jesus, please give me a heart like the Good Samaritan. Lord, teach me to show love and compassion for everyone. Let me see all people as my neighbor, especially those who are different than me. Amen.

Homilies and Reflections for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Word On Fire: Emulating Christ's Compassion

In this reflection for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the parable of the Good Samaritan, emphasizing its depiction of Jesus as the ultimate Good Samaritan. Drawing a connection made by the Church Fathers, as illustrated in Chartres Cathedral, he identifies the Samaritan as a symbol of Jesus, the Savior. The story, thus, serves as a model for Christians to emulate Christ's compassionate actions. Just as Jesus offers salvation, Christians are urged to actively help those who have been victimized by sin and to extend the Church's healing power, representing the transformative love and mercy that Christ embodies.

USCCB Reflection: Vision to See God in the Everyday

This USCCB video reflection for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time point out that the Good Samaritan story highlights three individuals encountering a man in need: a priest, a Levite, and a Samaritan. While the priest and Levite are preoccupied with their duties and personal concerns, the Samaritan truly sees the man's need and helps selflessly. This act of seeing, acknowledging, and responding embodies the core message of Jesus in the gospels: to recognize God's presence in everyday encounters. By developing this vision, we align with the Beatitudes' teachings and truly experience the Kingdom of Heaven.

Common-Sense Compassion

Fr. Richard Rohr discusses the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:30–35, highlighting Jesus' lesson on compassion. A scholar tests Jesus with a question about eternal life. Responding, the scholar correctly quotes the two major commandments about loving God and neighbor. However, seeking justification, he asks, "Who is my neighbor?" Jesus narrates a tale where a man, robbed and injured, is ignored by a priest and a Temple assistant, possibly due to concerns about ritual purity. Yet, a Samaritan, typically seen as an enemy, aids the wounded man with utmost care and compassion. Jesus uses this story to underscore that genuine love surpasses rituals and moral superiority.

Frequently Asked Questions for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

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