Year B
Discover the deeper meaning and connections found in this week's readings, through these great commentaries written by our priests.
Explore this week's readings and hear what God is saying to us through His Word.
Find out more about how we can mark this special day in our liturgy.
See our music recommendations for the liturgy.
One Hallowe’en, one eve of All Saints, I was talking with someone in church when some trick or treaters bravely entered; three boys and two girls, I would guess about twelve years old.
Now, all credit to them and their families for their hard work. One boy had the most fantastically painted face: a perfect skull, right to the grinning, grimacing teeth. Others were festooned with cobwebs, mock blood and goodness (or badness) knows what else. They had made a real, imaginative effort. They offered me their choice: ‘Trick or treat?’ As they proffered me their sweet-collecting bucket, I said that I had nothing about me just then, but I would pray with them and for them. The boys disappeared faster than snow in the sunshine, with whoops and screams. But the two girls stayed and asked me, very politely, a question that people have always asked, and which the Apostles asked of Jesus. Two of my local young neighbours asked: How do you pray?
God keeps testing me with such questions. How quickly, how clearly, can I help someone else understand why I have faith in God? How well can I pass my faith to another person?
I think that that was the first time in my life that anyone has asked me so directly: How do you pray? I just suggested that we pause to think how present we were to God in that moment, then thank God for everything that we have and that we ask God to bless us. They were very attentive about it, joining in happily enough. But I had to force myself not to laugh when I realised that the headpiece that one of them was wearing were the red shiny horns of a little devil.
When we finished they skedaddled to join their chums. I was delighted that, when we bumped into each other just a little later, they told me that the bucket was filling up and that they were having fun.
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
CCC 2083: commandments as a call for a response of love
CCC 2052, 2093-2094: the first commandment
CCC 1539-1547: holy orders in the economy of salvation
At this time when the situation in the Middle East is so volatile it might be a good idea to emphasise the fact that the reading from Deuteronomy and from the Gospel contain the Shema. Perhaps the text could be displayed prominently in the Church today even with candles and flowers and a word of explanation that this is the prayer recited by all devout Jews several times a day, is inscribed on the parchment in their phylacteries and on their doorposts. Not only did Jesus know it, he would have used it in his own prayers.
In the Intercessions prayers for the Jewish people and for better understanding between Jews and Christians could be included. Why not make contact with your local Synagogue if there is one and invite members to come to a meeting with some of your members?
The Council for Christians and Jews might be alluded to and mentioned in the Newsletter with contact details. Council for Christians and Jews, Faith House, 7, Tufton Street, Westminster, London SW1P 3QB (Cardinal Nichols is one of the patrons!)
Note: These hymns have been chosen from different sources.
A new commandment I give unto you (CFE4, L920, LHON133, R p61)
Blest are the pure in heart (CFE88, L908, LHON174, TCH208)
In bread we bring you, Lord (CFE302, L609, LHON362)
Love is his word, love is his way (CFE399, L803, LHON462)
This is my body broken for you (CFE730, L627, LHON681)
O Lord you are the centre of my life (CFE543, L423)
Key
CFE - Celebration Hymnal for Everyone
L – Laudate
LHON – Liturgical Hymns Old and New (Mayhew, 1999)
TCH – The Catholic Hymnbook (Gracewing)
Do you have questions about the liturgy and how we are called to participate in it? Explore how the Church councils, saints, and popes have answered this key question and many more.
Every movement of the Mass is rich in meaning but we can become over-familiar with it. Rediscover the Mass and explore how it relates to the Exodus story, where many of its rituals come from, and how it makes Jesus present to us today.
