31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A (2023)
Mass Readings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- First Reading – Malachi 1:14B-2:2B, 8-10: “Have we not all the one father? Has not the one God created us? Why then do we break faith with one another, violating the covenant of our fathers?”
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 131: “In you, Lord, I have found my peace.”
- Second Reading – 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13: “Working night and day in order not to burden any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.”
- Gospel – Matthew 23:1-12: “For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens hard to carry and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them.”
Themes for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The readings for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A are a call to humility and holiness. The first reading demands that we listen to God and love one another. The psalm reminds us to find our peace and rest in God. The second reading tells us that we work to proclaim the Good News. And in the gospel, Jesus calls out those who lay heavy laws on others but do not practice what they preach.
- Authenticity
- Holiness
- Caring for one another
See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A.
![[Jesus: A Pilgrimage] [By: Martin, James] [March, 2014]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51OoeKNGAyL._SL500_.jpg "[Jesus: A Pilgrimage] [By: Martin, James] [March, 2014]")
Resources for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Leaders We Love – Youth Ministry Activity
Leaders We Love is an activity to help youth think about the qualities of a good leader. It is held in an informal, small group setting so youth will be comfortable sharing.
Read About One Of The Saints
Saints are our Catholic heroes. They aren’t perfect, but they are beautiful examples of the path to holiness. So try reading about some of the saints. Our Catholic children need good role models.
Homilies and Reflections for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The Virtue of Humility
In this video for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A, Jeff Cavins discusses the virtue of humility in relation to Sunday’s Gospel.
A Challenge to the Sons of Levi
From Bishop Robert Barron. “Our readings for this weekend are tough for everyone, but especially for those who are in positions of leadership in the Church. I’ve been a priest for 31 years (and now a bishop for going on three), and I will confess that the words we hear from the prophet Malachi and the Lord Jesus about the corrupt religious leadership of their time and place are deeply challenging and unnerving.”
Self-Critical Thinking
From Fr. Richard Rohr of the Center for Action and Contemplation. “The Hebrew prophets are in a category of their own. Within the canonical, sacred scriptures of other world religions you don’t find major texts that are largely critical of that religion. The Hebrew prophets were free to love their tradition and to criticize it at the same time, which is a very rare art form.” Continue reading.
More Thoughts for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
Jesus was clearly a faithful Jew. Perhaps that is why he was not afraid to speak up when he had issues with the religious leaders of the day. Like Malachi, he warns that those leaders must be faithful, lest they lead others astray. To be a leader means to be a good example. It also means being close to the love of God.
Reflection Questions for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
- Is there an issue I feel called to be a prophetic voice for?
- Do I practice what I preach?
- Is there somebody in my circle who needs to hear about the love of God today?
Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A
The greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 23:11-12
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