Wednesday 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 13:8-10: Love one another, as this alone fulfills the law's commandments, doing no harm to others and encompassing all that the law requires.
• First Reading (Cycle 2) - Philippians 2:12-18: Continue to work towards your salvation with dedication. Do so without complaint, being blameless amidst a flawed world, and rejoice in the faith, as I rejoice with you.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 112: The man who reveres the LORD and follows His commands will be blessed, with his generosity and justice bringing enduring honor and light.
• Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 27: With the LORD as my light and protector, I have no fear and seek to live in His presence forever, trusting that I will witness His goodness in life.
• Gospel - Luke 14:25-33: Jesus explains the commitment required to be His follower. He uses strong language to stress the priority of loyalty to Him over family ties. Jesus also highlights the need for personal sacrifice. He uses two examples—a builder calculating costs and a king contemplating war—to illustrate the importance of planning and readiness to give up everything to be His disciple.

If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:26

• Cost of Discipleship: The passage highlights the serious commitment required to follow Jesus. It suggests that one must consider the personal sacrifices involved in being a disciple.
• Prioritization of Relationships: Jesus speaks to the need to put Him above all personal relationships. This emphasizes the concept that spiritual commitment may sometimes require difficult personal choices.
• Renunciation of Possessions: The text suggests that discipleship might entail letting go of material possessions. It points to the idea that spiritual paths often call for simplicity and detachment from wealth.
• Planning and Forethought: Jesus uses the examples of a builder and a king to illustrate the importance of planning. This teaches that one should thoughtfully consider the implications of their spiritual journey.
• Unwavering Commitment: The overall theme indicates that following Jesus requires unwavering commitment. It makes clear that this commitment should be maintained despite the challenges or costs involved.

In the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time, Luke 14:25-33, the language is striking—Jesus talks about "hating" one's family to be His disciple. This isn't a literal command to hold animosity towards our loved ones, but rather a hyperbolic way to emphasize that our commitment to God should be our top priority. The point Jesus is making is about the cost of discipleship; it's not about harboring negative feelings towards our family.

The passage asks us to reflect on what we prioritize. It's a call to examine our attachments and consider if they impede our spiritual journey. Being a disciple means making hard choices sometimes, which could include reevaluating our relationships and commitments. It's not that family isn't important, but rather that our ultimate commitment is to God, and that might require sacrifice.

Jesus' message is about the readiness to give up everything for the sake of following Him. It's a reminder to be aware of where our loyalties lie and to ensure that they align with our faith. The reading encourages us to be introspective about our life's direction and the things or relationships that might be competing with our dedication to a life of faith.

Prayer

Jesus, show me the way to my heavenly Father. Let me see how to remove any attachments which prevent me from being close to you. Amen.

The Heart of Discipleship

This USCCB video reflection for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time points out that Jesus challenges us to renounce our possessions, highlighting a commitment to God above all. This doesn't mean abandoning everything literally but adopting an attitude where God is prioritized over personal gain. It's a gradual process of placing God and others at the forefront of our lives, replacing self-centeredness with a God-centered existence. This spiritual shift towards God is not meant to deprive us of joy; rather, it's a path to true freedom and love. Embracing this approach isn't easy, but Jesus supports us in this endeavor, guiding us to live a life rooted in love and service.

What date is Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

The next date is Wednesday November 6, 2024.

What are the Mass readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The Mass readings for Wednesday November 5, 2025 are:
First Reading (Cycle 1) - Romans 13:8-10: Love Fulfills the Law
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 1) - Psalm 112: Blessings of Righteousness
Gospel - Luke 14:25-33: The Cost of Discipleship

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

The Mass readings for Wednesday November 6, 2024 are:
First Reading (Cycle 2) - Philippians 2:12-18: Guidance for Salvation
Responsorial Psalm (Cycle 2) - Psalm 27: Confident in the Lord
Gospel - Luke 14:25-33: The Cost of Discipleship

What are the themes for the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

Luke 14:25-33 conveys the serious dedication needed for discipleship, urging the faithful to place Jesus above all relationships and material wealth. It emphasizes the need for thoughtful commitment to the spiritual path, implying that this often requires simplifying one's life and prioritizing spiritual growth over earthly possessions.

What does Jesus mean by "hating" family in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

The term "hate" in Luke 14:25-33 is a Semitic expression meaning to "love less" or to prefer less. Jesus uses strong language to illustrate that following Him must come before all other attachments, even familial ones.

Is Jesus literally asking us to give up all our possessions in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

While Jesus isn't mandating poverty for all disciples in Luke 14:25-33, He is emphasizing detachment from material goods. It’s about priority—our possessions shouldn't possess us or hinder our commitment to Him.

What is the cost of discipleship mentioned in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

Discipleship can lead to difficult choices and sacrifices. The "cost" in Luke 14:25-33 includes putting Jesus first, which may sometimes lead to sacrifices in personal relationships, lifestyle, or ambitions.

How do the examples of building a tower and a king going to war in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time relate to discipleship?

These examples in Luke 14:25-33 stress the importance of foresight and commitment in the Christian life. Just as one must plan and consider resources before building or waging war, a disciple must reflect on and commit fully to the demands of following Jesus.

What does it mean to "carry the cross" in this context of the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

"Carrying the cross" in Luke 14:25-33 means accepting and embracing the trials and sacrifices that come with being a Christian. It involves a willingness to suffer and even face persecution for one’s faith.

How can we discern if we are ready to pay the cost of discipleship as mentioned in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

Discernment involves prayer, reflection on Scripture, and possibly guidance from others in the faith community. It’s about honestly assessing one’s priorities and attachments and being willing to reorder them to align with Christ’s call.

In today's context, how might we interpret the 'cost' of being a disciple of Jesus as mentioned in the gospel for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time?

The 'cost' in Luke 14:25-33 can be understood as the need to prioritize our commitment to Jesus in our decisions, lifestyles, and the way we interact with others, even when it's challenging.

What does Paul mean by saying "Love one another" in the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

In Romans 13:8-10, Paul is emphasizing that love is the fulfillment of the law. When we act in love towards others, we are essentially following all that the law commands because love does no harm.

How does love fulfill the commandments, according to the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

According to Romans 13:8-10, love fulfills the commandments by embodying all the laws' intentions. When you love your neighbor, you would not do anything that would harm them, thereby upholding the commandments naturally.

How can we apply the message of the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 to our daily life?

We can apply Romans 13:8-10 by evaluating our actions towards others. If our actions are loving and cause no harm, we align with what Paul is teaching.

What are the characteristics of a person who fears the LORD, based on the responsorial psalm for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

Psalm 112 tells us that a person who fears the LORD is compassionate, righteous, generous, and just. These attributes lead to a life that is stable, honored, and enduring.

How does the responsorial psalm for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 connect generosity with reverence for God?

It suggests that genuine reverence for God manifests in a life marked by generosity and justice, implying that our actions towards others reflect our relationship with God.

What is the common theme in the readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

The common theme is the call to a committed life guided by love, generosity, and sacrifice. This reflects in the law of love in Romans, the life of a righteous person in the Psalm, and the call to discipleship in the Gospel.

How do these readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1 challenge us to think about our priorities?

These readings ask us to consider if our lives are aligned with the principles of love and commitment that are essential to our faith. They encourage us to examine our priorities and what we might need to change to live a life that truly honors God.

What practical steps can we take to live out the messages from these readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 1?

We can start by practicing intentional love and kindness in our relationships, by being generous in our support of others, and by making choices that reflect a real commitment to following Jesus, even when it's difficult.

What does "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" mean in the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Philippians 2:12-18 means to live out one's faith with a sense of reverence and seriousness. It's not about earning salvation, but showing dedication to living according to God’s way.

How can we do things without grumbling or arguing, as advised in the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Philippians 2:12-18 reminds us to focus on the positive, act out of love, and remember the purpose of our actions as followers of Christ to maintain a peaceful and cooperative spirit.

What are the characteristics of a "blameless" and "pure" person in the midst of a "crooked generation" according to the first reading for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

According to Philippians 2:12-18, such a person would be identified by their integrity, ethical conduct, and distinctiveness from corrupt or immoral practices, living in a way that reflects the teachings of Christ.

How does the responsorial psalm for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 describe the relationship between trust in God and fear?

Psalm 27 suggests that trust in God can dispel fear because God is our light and salvation, offering protection and a place of refuge.

What does it mean to seek to live in the presence of the Lord forever in the responsorial psalm for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

Psalm 27 means to desire a constant and intimate relationship with God, prioritizing a spiritual connection and the pursuit of God’s ways throughout life.

In what ways can the responsorial psalm for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 inspire us to witness the goodness of the LORD in our daily lives?

Psalm 27 encourages us to witness God’s goodness in daily life by recognizing acts of kindness, moments of grace, and the beauty of creation, all of which reflect His presence and love.

How do these readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 guide us in balancing our earthly responsibilities with our spiritual ones?

These readings encourage us to integrate our faith into all aspects of life, suggesting that spiritual responsibilities should guide how we approach our earthly duties.

What can we learn about joy and suffering in the life of a Christian from these readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2?

These readings teach that joy can coexist with suffering in Christian life, as we work towards our salvation and follow Christ, finding contentment and purpose in our faith amidst challenges.

How might these readings for Wednesday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time Cycle 2 inspire someone who feels overwhelmed by the demands of discipleship?

They offer encouragement to persist in faith, emphasizing that effort and sacrifice have purpose and value, and that God's presence provides strength and refuge in difficulties.