Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

• First Reading – Philippians 2:1-4: If you find comfort in Christ, then unite in love, spirit, and purpose, placing others above yourself, not acting from selfish ambition but with humility.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 131: My heart is humble, not seeking grandeur but resting content like a child in its mother’s arms, placing my hope in the Lord forever.
• Gospel – Luke 14:12-14: Jesus advises hosting meals for the underprivileged instead of friends and family, emphasizing the virtue of serving those who cannot repay, promising divine reward at the resurrection for such selfless acts.

Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. or you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Luke 14:13-14

On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Cycle 2, the readings encourage us to live humbly and care for others. Both St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians and Jesus’ words in the Gospel remind us to focus on love and service rather than seeking recognition.

• Unity in Christ: Paul calls the Philippians to be united in mind and spirit. This theme highlights the need for harmony among believers, putting aside personal differences.
• Humility in Service: Paul urges the community to be humble and think of others. Humility helps us serve others selflessly, as Jesus teaches in the Gospel.
• Looking to Others’ Needs: Paul stresses that we should not just look after ourselves but also care for others. This echoes Jesus’ command to invite those who cannot repay us.
• Selflessness: Both readings point to the value of doing good without expecting anything in return. Jesus encourages giving to the poor, the crippled, and the blind, not for rewards but out of love.
• Generosity: Jesus’ invitation to include the outcast shows the importance of generosity. We are called to share with those in need, especially those who cannot give back.
• Seeking God’s Reward: Jesus reminds us that the true reward comes from God, not from people. When we serve without seeking praise, we trust in God’s promise of a reward in heaven.

The readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 remind us to be humble, generous, and focused on others. These themes guide us to live like Christ, serving and loving without expecting anything in return.

On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings from St. Paul and the Gospel of Luke invite us to reflect on humility, unity, and generosity. Paul calls us to live in harmony, while Jesus challenges us to serve others without seeking anything in return. These themes encourage us to live out our faith with love and selflessness.

Unity Among Believers

On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, St. Paul encourages the Philippians to be united in mind and spirit. He stresses the importance of living in harmony, putting aside selfishness and focusing on what unites us as Christians. Unity in the Church means working together with a common goal of following Jesus.

In our daily lives, this can mean letting go of pride or the need to always be right. Paul calls us to be humble and think of others before ourselves. By doing this, we can help create peace and understanding in our families, workplaces, and communities.

When we live in unity, we reflect the love of God to those around us. People notice when Christians support each other and work together. On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are reminded that unity builds a stronger Church and helps spread the message of Christ to the world.

Serving for God’s Reward

Jesus teaches in the Gospel for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 that the true reward comes from God, not from people. He reminds us that when we serve others, we should not be looking for recognition or praise. The only reward that matters is the one that God promises.

In our lives, this means doing good quietly and without expecting anything in return. Whether we are helping someone in need, giving our time to a cause, or even doing small acts of kindness, our focus should be on serving others for the sake of love, not for attention.

Jesus points out that seeking praise from others is not what leads to true happiness. Instead, it’s when we serve out of love and trust in God that we receive something much greater—a reward from God that will last forever. On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, we are encouraged to shift our focus from human approval to God’s promise.

Giving Without Expecting

Both readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 emphasize the value of doing good without expecting anything in return. Jesus encourages us to invite the poor, the crippled, and the blind—those who cannot repay us. This shows a kind of love that is not about getting something back, but about caring for others simply because they need it.

This lesson challenges us to think about how we give. Often, we might expect a thank you or some kind of recognition for our good deeds. But Jesus teaches that true generosity comes when we give without any strings attached. When we help those who cannot repay us, we are living out real love.

Living this way is not easy, but it helps us grow in our relationship with God. We begin to trust more in His reward rather than looking for rewards from people. On Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2, the readings remind us to practice selfless giving and to love others just as Christ loves us.

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The message of Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 is clear: we are called to love, serve, and give without expecting anything in return. By focusing on unity and humility, we live out the Gospel in our daily lives. May we always remember that the greatest reward comes from God, not from others.

Prayer

Lord, help us to be humble and put others before ourselves. Teach us to serve with love, without looking for recognition or praise. Guide us to live in unity with others and to trust in Your promises. May we always seek Your reward, not the approval of people. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• How can I work toward greater unity in my relationships?
• Do I sometimes seek recognition for my good deeds? How can I change that?
• In what ways can I give to others without expecting anything in return?
• How does trusting in God’s reward help me focus on serving others more selflessly?

Word on Fire: Focus on the Marginalized

In this reflection for Monday of the 31st in Ordinary Time, Bishop Barron emphasizes Jesus’ directive to care for the vulnerable in society. Highlighting a recurring theme in the Gospels, he notes Jesus’ focus on the weak and marginalized, including foreigners, widows, and the poor. He links this to the wider Christian teaching that stresses the moral imperative to share with those in need. Bishop Barron reminds his audience of the importance of not ignoring those less fortunate and integrating this concern into our daily lives.

What date is Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The next date is Monday November 4, 2024.

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. For odd numbered years see Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1.

What are the Mass readings for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

The Mass readings for Monday November 4, 2024 are:
First Reading – Philippians 2:1-4: Unity and Humility
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 131: Humble and Peaceful Trust
Gospel – Luke 14:12-14: True Hospitality Rewarded

What does Paul mean by being united in mind and heart in the first reading for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Paul is asking us to live in harmony with each other. He encourages us to work together as Christians, avoiding arguments and focusing on what we share in faith.

How can we put others before ourselves?

Paul calls us to think of others’ needs and not just our own. We are reminded to be aware of how we can help and support others in our everyday lives.

What does humility look like in daily life?

Humility means thinking less about what we can gain and more about how we can serve others. Paul encourages us to act humbly in our relationships and work.

How does unity help the Church?

Unity makes the Church stronger because it helps people work together in love and peace. Paul encourages us to avoid division and focus on what brings us together as believers.

What is Jesus teaching about inviting the poor in the Gospel for Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Jesus tells us to include people who cannot repay us. True generosity is giving without expecting anything in return.

Why should we care for people who cannot repay us?

Helping those who cannot repay shows true love and kindness. Jesus teaches that God values this selfless love and will reward us.

What reward is Jesus talking about?

Jesus teaches that our reward will come from God, not people. We are reminded to serve others with love, trusting that God will bless us in the right way.

How can we live the message of these readings?

We can live the message of Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 by being kind and serving others, especially those who cannot repay us. It also means being humble and thinking of others before ourselves.