31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A

• First Reading – Malachi 1:14B-2:2B, 8-10: I am a great King and demand respect. Priests, if you don’t honor my name, I’ll curse you. You’ve strayed and made others falter, breaking the covenant. Remember, we all have one God.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 131: My heart isn’t proud, Lord. I don’t aim for things beyond me. Instead, I’m at peace, quiet like a child with its mother. Israel, put your hope in the Lord.
• Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13: We were kind to you, like a mother to her children. We shared not just the gospel, but ourselves. You know we worked hard to not be a burden. We’re thankful you received God’s word, not just human words.
• Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12: Jesus tells the crowd and his disciples to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees but not their actions. He criticizes them for being showy and not genuinely helping others. He advises against using titles like “Rabbi” and “Master,” emphasizing humility and service instead.

Lectionary Reference: 151

Upcoming dates: November 4, 2029, October 31, 2032

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focuses on honoring God, being humble, and leading with sincerity. The readings warn against pride and remind us to serve others with honesty and care.

• Respect for God: God expects honor and respect, especially from leaders. The first reading warns priests who fail in their duty and lead others astray.
• Humble Leadership: Jesus warns against leaders who love titles and attention. True leadership is about service, not status.
• Sincerity in Faith: The Pharisees teach the law but do not follow it. Faith should be real, not just words or appearances.
• Responsibility of Leaders: Leaders should guide people toward God, not away from Him. The first reading shows how failing in this duty brings consequences.
• Serving Others with Love: Paul reminds the Thessalonians that he worked hard to help them. Love and sacrifice go together in sharing the faith.
• God’s Word is Truth: Paul thanks the people for accepting God’s message. God’s word is not just human advice; it has real power.
• Avoiding Hypocrisy: Jesus criticizes religious leaders who do not practice what they preach. Actions must match beliefs.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A calls for honesty in faith and humility in leadership. God values true service, not empty titles or showy actions.

Leaders We Love – Youth Ministry Activity

The “Leaders We Love” activity is a practical tool for young people to recognize effective leadership qualities. It operates in small, informal groups, promoting comfortable discussion with just poster paper and markers. Participants, in small groups, select admired leaders and list three defining leadership qualities. This process continues until everyone contributes. Later, they share admired leaders and common qualities, identifying valued traits and their importance. They also explore unexpected characteristics, broadening their understanding of effective leadership. In summary, “Leaders We Love” helps youth understand leadership qualities, encourages open discussion, and nurtures leadership development. It connects to Matthew 23:1-12 by emphasizing humility and servant leadership, qualities often found in admired leaders.

1 Thessalonians: A Practical Guide

The second reading for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A comes from Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13. It’s a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Thessalonian church, new converts facing challenges in their faith journey. Paul expresses gratitude for their faithfulness despite persecution and encourages them to live out their faith with love and hope. He addresses concerns about Christ’s second coming, assuring believers of resurrection. 1 Thessalonians is vital for understanding early Christianity and offers practical guidance for Catholics. It lays the foundation for Catholic interpretation, emphasizing faith, love, and hope. By studying it, Catholics learn to stand firm in trials and await Christ’s return.

Resources for the Gospel of Matthew

The gospel for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A is from Matthew 23:1-12. In this passage, Jesus advises the crowd and his disciples to follow the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees but not their actions, as they are showy and lack genuine help for others. He emphasizes humility and service over titles like “Rabbi” and “Master.” Throughout the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus exemplifies compassion and mercy by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the marginalized. His ultimate sacrifice on the cross demonstrates his love for all. As Catholics, we find valuable lessons in Jesus’ teachings on love, forgiveness, and service. We are called to be compassionate and merciful, mirroring his example.

The Virtue of Humility

Jeff Cavins reflects on the reading for the 31st Sunday in ordinary time, focusing on Matthew Chapter 23, which discusses the need for humility. He emphasizes that humility isn’t just about how you see yourself in relation to God, but also how you relate to others; it means not drawing attention to your own ‘holiness’ for show.

A Challenge to the Sons of Levi

In his homily for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Bishop Robert Barron discusses the challenging nature of the day’s scripture readings, particularly for those in leadership roles within the Church. He explores themes from the prophet Malachi and Jesus, who criticize corrupt religious leadership. Bishop Barron also shares his personal reflections on how these scriptures resonate with him, given the backdrop of issues like the clergy sex abuse scandal. He stresses the importance of staying true to the spiritual responsibilities of leadership and warns against the misuse of religious symbols for self-aggrandizement.

Self-Critical Thinking

Fr. Richard Rohr discusses the unique role of Hebrew prophets in critiquing their own religion. He argues that questioning and criticizing religious institutions, as seen in Matthew 23, is not an act of disloyalty but a sign of genuine faithfulness to the teachings of prophets and Jesus. He points out that many religious organizations prefer unquestioning loyalty over prophetic critique. Rohr also mentions that human consciousness and spiritual growth often come through grappling with personal and institutional shortcomings. He suggests that the prophetic gift, undervalued in many Christian traditions, is essential for true spiritual development.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A calls us to reflect on faith, leadership, and how we live our beliefs. The readings challenge us to be sincere in our relationship with God and others. They remind us that faith is not about titles or appearances but about love, service, and truth.

Authentic Faith and Sincere Relationships

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us that faith is not just about words. It is about how we live and how we treat others. In the second reading, Paul and his companions showed true care for the Thessalonians. They did not just preach to them; they shared their lives with them. Their faith was real because it was lived out in love.

Paul compares their care to that of a mother for her children. A mother does not seek praise for her love. She gives because she truly cares. Paul and the other apostles had the same attitude. They worked hard to support themselves so they would not be a burden. Their actions matched their words.

The Thessalonians also played a role. They did not just hear the message; they received it as the truth from God. This made a difference in their lives. They did not see the Gospel as just another human idea. They recognized it as something greater.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A teaches us to share our faith with sincerity. It is not about saying the right things or looking religious. It is about real connections, kindness, and a willingness to live out what we believe.

Jesus’ Call for Faithful Leadership

Jesus often spoke against religious leaders who acted selfishly. He saw that some leaders enjoyed their position but did not truly serve. They liked being honored and respected but did not help people grow closer to God. In the Gospel for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jesus warns against this kind of leadership.

Malachi, in the first reading, delivers a similar message. He speaks against priests who fail to honor God. Their duty was to teach and guide the people, but they led them astray instead. This failure had serious consequences. When leaders do not live by the truth, they hurt those who follow them.

Jesus calls for a different kind of leadership. He says that the greatest among us should be a servant. A true leader does not seek attention or status. Instead, a good leader cares for others and helps them grow in faith. Leadership is not about power. It is about responsibility.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A reminds us to be mindful of how we influence others. Whether we are leaders in our families, workplaces, or churches, we should guide with honesty and humility. Jesus calls us to serve, not to seek praise.

Living Out Our Faith

Faith is more than attending church or saying prayers. It is how we live each day. The readings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A remind us that faith must be real and active. It should shape the way we treat others and the choices we make.

Paul and his companions set an example of living faith. They did not just talk about the Gospel. They lived it by working hard and caring for others. Their actions made their message stronger. People saw their sincerity and trusted them.

Jesus warns about the opposite. He criticizes those who do not practice what they preach. He calls out leaders who care more about looking holy than being holy. Faith is not about impressing others. It is about being true to God in our hearts and actions.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenges us to reflect on our own faith. Do we live in a way that matches what we believe? Do we care for others and lead by example? Faith is not just about words. It is about how we treat people, how we serve, and how we stay true to God.

The 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A encourages us to live with honesty and humility. Faith should not be for show but should shape our actions and relationships. As we reflect on these readings, may we seek to serve others and stay true to the message of Christ in all that we do.

Prayer

Lord, help us to live our faith with honesty and love. Teach us to serve others instead of seeking praise. Guide our hearts to follow Your truth and be an example of kindness and humility. May our actions always reflect the message of Jesus. Amen.

• How do you share your faith with others in daily life?
• In what ways can you serve others with humility?
• Do your actions match what you believe?
• How can you avoid seeking recognition for doing good?
• What does it mean to you to receive God’s word as truth?
• How do you respond when you see leaders who do not practice what they preach?
• What steps can you take to grow in sincerity and faithfulness?
• How can you be a positive influence in your family and community?
• What lessons from these readings challenge you the most?
• How can you apply Jesus’ teaching on leadership in your own life?

The readings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A focus on humility, service, and living out our faith with sincerity. The music selections reflect these themes through songs about following God’s guidance, serving others, and worshiping with a humble heart. Some songs encourage us to surrender to God’s will, while others remind us that true greatness comes from being a servant. There are also songs about unity in faith and giving thanks to God. These selections help deepen the message of the readings, calling us to live with humility and love.

• Be Thou My Vision by Bob Fabing
• Companions on the Journey by Carey Landry
• Heart of Worship by Matt Redman
• Here I Am to Worship by Michael W. Smith
• Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord by John Michael Talbot
• Humble Yourself by Maranatha Music
• Lay It Down by Tasha Layton
• Lead Me Lord by John D. Becker
• Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service by Albert F. Bayly
• Now Thank We All Our God
• Once Again by Matt Redman
• Restless by Audrey Assad & Matt Maher
• Servant Song by Donna Marie McGargill
• The Servant Song by Richard Gillard & Betty C. Pulkingham
• The Summons by John L. Bell
• There Is One Lord by Taize Community Choir
• We Are the Light of the World by Jean Anthony Greif
• We Are Your People, O Lord by Bob Dufford

Music directors and musicians can use these songs to bring the themes of the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A to life in worship. These selections can inspire people to reflect on how they serve God and others. If you have other songs that fit these themes, share your ideas in the comments. Let’s support one another in choosing music that lifts up the message of the Gospel.

What date is the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The next date is Sunday November 4, 2029.
For other years see the links below:
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

What are the Mass readings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A?

The Catholic Mass readings for Sunday November 4, 2029 are:
First Reading – Malachi 1:14B-2:2B, 8-10: Warning to Priests
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 131: Humble Prayer
Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13: Sharing the Gospel
Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12: Critique of Hypocrisy

What is the main message of the first reading?

The first reading warns priests who are not honoring God. It reminds them that their role is to guide people in truth. When leaders fail in their duty, they lead others away from God.

Why does God speak so strongly to the priests?

God expects priests to be faithful teachers. When they fail, it harms the whole community. Their actions should help people grow closer to God, not turn them away.

What does Paul mean when he says he shared his life with the Thessalonians?

Paul did not just preach to them. He worked hard and treated them with love and care. He gave them an example of how to live as followers of Jesus.

Why is Paul thankful that the Thessalonians accepted the word of God?

They did not treat his message as just human teaching. They understood that it came from God. Because of this, their faith grew strong.

Why does Jesus tell people to listen to the Pharisees but not follow their example?

The Pharisees knew the law and taught it correctly. But they did not live by it. Jesus warns that teaching the right things is not enough if actions do not match.

What does Jesus mean when He says the greatest must be a servant?

He means that true leadership is not about power or status. It is about serving others. A good leader helps people instead of seeking attention.

How does the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A challenge us to be better leaders?

It reminds us that leadership is not about titles or praise. True leaders guide with honesty and care. We should lead by example in our families, workplaces, and churches.

What lesson can we learn from the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A about faith?

Faith should be real, not just for show. It is about how we live and treat others. Actions should match beliefs.

How can we apply the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A to our daily lives?

We can make sure we are not just saying the right things but also doing them. We should serve others and stay humble. Faith should be seen in our actions, not just our words.

Why does Jesus warn against seeking titles and praise?

Titles do not make a person great. A person is great because of how they love and serve others. Jesus wants people to focus on helping, not on being honored.

What can we do if we struggle with pride or wanting recognition?

We can pray for humility and remember that true greatness comes from serving others. Instead of looking for praise, we should focus on doing good for its own sake.

How can we accept God’s word as truth in our lives?

We can listen with an open heart and let it guide our choices. Faith is not just hearing but also doing. We should trust in God’s message and live by it.