As an Amazon affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Friday November 8, 2024

Daily Mass Readings for Friday of the 31st 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) - Romans 15:14-21: I commend you for your goodness and knowledge, but remind you of the Gospel's duty, seeking to spread Christ’s message to places where His name is yet unknown.
  • First Reading (Cycle 2) - Philippians 3:17-4:1: Imitate my example and observe those who live by our model. Many oppose Christ's sacrifice; their fate is ruin. We await Jesus from heaven to transform us and all things.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 98: Sing a new song for God's marvelous acts; He has triumphed and shown His justice and steadfast love, revealing salvation to all, prompting joyous praise worldwide.
  • Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 122: We are glad to enter Jerusalem and its temple, the unified city where tribes gather to thank the LORD and uphold justice as decreed for Israel.
  • Gospel - Luke 16:1-8: A rich man's steward, accused of wasting his employer's resources, is about to lose his job. He cleverly reduces the debts of his master’s debtors to secure future favors from them. Surprisingly, the rich man praises the dishonest steward for his shrewdness, noting the worldly are wise in their dealings.

Themes for the Gospel for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

  • Shrewdness in Dealings: The parable presents a manager who acts shrewdly to secure his future after being fired. This suggests using foresight and cleverness in personal dealings, which may also imply a spiritual dimension of being wise about one's life and choices.
  • Preparation for Future Judgment: The dishonest manager prepares for his imminent unemployment. This illustrates the theme of being aware of future accountability and taking action to prepare for it, akin to spiritual preparedness for judgment.
  • Self-Interest Guiding Actions: The manager’s actions are driven by self-interest, which, in a spiritual context, can be seen as a call to be equally diligent in securing one’s spiritual well-being.
  • Commendation of Pragmatism: The master commends the dishonest manager, not for his dishonesty, but for his astuteness in handling a crisis. This indicates a complex theme where practical wisdom is acknowledged, even when the methods are questionable.
  • Resourcefulness in Crisis: The manager's resourceful response to crisis reflects the broader theme of resourcefulness. Spiritually, it may suggest the value of being resourceful with one's life and opportunities in preparation for the future.

And the master commended that dishonest steward for acting prudently. For the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than the children of light.

Luke 16:8

Thoughts for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

The Gospel reading from Luke 16:1-8 presents the parable of the dishonest manager, who, when faced with the loss of his job, acts shrewdly to secure his future. Jesus comments on the astuteness of those dealing with worldly matters, highlighting that they often show more foresight and ingenuity in their affairs than do the people of light in spiritual matters.

This passage invites reflection on how we manage our resources and priorities. It suggests that just as we plan and act strategically in our careers, finances, and personal goals, we should also be attentive and proactive about our spiritual well-being. It challenges us to assess our lives, identify what's lacking in our relationship with God and others, and take decisive steps to improve it. The message is a call to apply our worldly wisdom to our spiritual journey, ensuring that our values and actions are aligned and that we are preparing for our ultimate future with the same care we give to our earthly endeavors.

In practical terms, the parable encourages us to be as committed to our spiritual health as we are to our material success. This can mean taking time for prayer, reflection, and acts of service, just as we would invest time in education or work. It can also mean using our talents and possessions not just for personal gain, but to help others and to promote the common good.

Essentially, it's about stewarding our resources wisely, not just for immediate benefits but for eternal ones as well. The parable doesn't condemn the prudent management of worldly matters; rather, it calls for a similar, if not greater, level of diligence in the realm of faith and morality.

Prayer

Jesus, you are not always my priority. I use my strengths for material gain. Show me how to use what I have to grow closer to you instead. Amen.

Homilies and Reflections for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Word on Fire: Take a Hard Look

In this reflection for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Bishop Barron highlights the importance of self-reflection as shown in the Gospel, encouraging a thorough evaluation of personal spiritual health. He urges taking stock of one’s prayer life, sacramental participation, and engagement with works of mercy, as well as advocating for justice. Bishop Barron calls for decisive action in making Jesus Christ central in one's life, emphasizing the necessity of firmness and boldness in the spiritual journey.

USCCB Reflection: A Story Turned Around

This USCCB video reflection for Friday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time explains that Jesus' parables often use everyday scenarios to deliver unexpected lessons, reversing conventional expectations. In Luke 16, a dishonest steward, about to lose his job for mismanagement, cleverly manipulates debts owed to his master to secure his own future. This twist serves to underline a larger point: the importance of using worldly resources shrewdly to foster future, more meaningful relationships. Luke uses this story to convey Jesus' message that while earthly possessions are temporary, how we use them can have eternal implications, urging his followers to be as savvy with spiritual investments as others are with earthly ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

Join our email list to receive weekly emails with Catholic reflections and more.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Copy link