Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

painting of Jesus with children

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Genesis 2:18-24
Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-6
Reading 2: Hebrews 2:9-11
Gospel: Mark 10:2-16

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100321.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

Today’s first reading from Genesis gets right to the heart of our understanding of the human person. God presents all of creation to Adam, but nothing can be Adam’s equal. Nothing can think like Adam or talk like Adam. Nothing can help and encourage Adam – offer hope on those difficult days or share in Adam’s joy. So, God takes a rib from Adam and forms the woman.

This reading in no way implies that women are somehow less than equal to men. Eve is the same as Adam. That’s why Adam proclaims, “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh…” (Genesis 2:23). Finally, Adam has an equal who completes Adam. They are equal and yet different.

Funny how we can take a difference and manipulate it for our own benefit. Why do we do that? Maybe it’s pride or jealousy, envy or desire. But these vices can lead us far off the path. Instead of helping each other get to heaven, we can exploit or abuse each other for our own gain.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus tries to correct our understanding. All of those ambitious and selfish thoughts cannot save us. If we truly want to be saved – if we truly want to experience the Kingdom of God, then we need to approach life with the innocence of a child (Mark 10:15). We need to look upon this created world and our relationships with a sense of awe and wonder, and not with a thought about how I might best profit from it.

How do we do that? That leads us to homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.

How can I look at my relationships and the world around me as a gift rather than a source of profit?

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

References: 1. Healy, Mary. Hebrews. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2016. Kindle. 2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle. 3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm: 1. Satan’s power: 407 2. Becoming a child: 526, 2785 3. Jesus’ love for us: 609 4. Jesus’ atoning death: 615, 1992 5. Jesus tasted death: 624 6. Laying on hands: 699 7. Marriage and fidelity: 1601-17, 1638-54, 2360-2400 8. Fidelity, a fruit of the Spirit: 1832 9. The fidelity of the baptized: 2044, 2147, 2156, 2223, 2787 10. Divorce: 2331-6 11. The gift of children: 2373-9

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/100321.cfm
Lectionary: 140

Reading 1
Genesis 2:18-24
The LORD God said: “It is not good for the man to be alone.
I will make a suitable partner for him.”
So the LORD God formed out of the ground
various wild animals and various birds of the air,
and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them;
whatever the man called each of them would be its name.
The man gave names to all the cattle,
all the birds of the air, and all wild animals;
but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man.

So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man,
and while he was asleep,
he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.
The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib
that he had taken from the man.
When he brought her to the man, the man said:
“This one, at last, is bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
this one shall be called ‘woman, ‘
for out of ‘her man’ this one has been taken.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother
and clings to his wife,
and the two of them become one flesh.

Responsorial
Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R. (cf. 5) May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Blessed are you who fear the LORD,
who walk in his ways!
For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork;
blessed shall you be, and favored.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine
in the recesses of your home;
your children like olive plants
around your table.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
Behold, thus is the man blessed
who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion:
may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
all the days of your life.
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.
May you see your children’s children.
Peace be upon Israel!
R. May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives.

Reading 2
Hebrews 2:9-11
Brothers and sisters:
He “for a little while” was made “lower than the angels, “
that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that he,
for whom and through whom all things exist,
in bringing many children to glory,
should make the leader to their salvation perfect through suffering.
He who consecrates and those who are being consecrated
all have one origin.
Therefore, he is not ashamed to call them “brothers.”

Alleluia
1 John 4:12
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If we love one another, God remains in us
and his love is brought to perfection in us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 10:2-16 or 10:2-12
The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”

And people were bringing children to him that he might touch them,
but the disciples rebuked them.
When Jesus saw this he became indignant and said to them,
“Let the children come to me;
do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to
such as these.
Amen, I say to you,
whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a child
will not enter it.”
Then he embraced them and blessed them,
placing his hands on them.

OR:

The Pharisees approached Jesus and asked,
“Is it lawful for a husband to divorce his wife?”
They were testing him.
He said to them in reply, “What did Moses command you?”
They replied,
“Moses permitted a husband to write a bill of divorce
and dismiss her.”
But Jesus told them,
“Because of the hardness of your hearts
he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female.
For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother
and be joined to his wife,
and the two shall become one flesh.
So they are no longer two but one flesh.
Therefore what God has joined together,
no human being must separate.”
In the house the disciples again questioned Jesus about this.
He said to them,
“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her;
and if she divorces her husband and marries another,
she commits adultery.”

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

scene of a sunrise

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Numbers 11:25-29
Responsorial: Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14
Reading 2: James 5:1-6
Gospel: Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092621.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

It’s funny how different two people from the same family can be! Take our two older boys. One had to work really hard at school. I mean, he’d spend hours studying. The other could roll out of bed, walk into class, and ace the test! There were many textbooks he never even bothered to open! It would drive my other son nuts!

My son might say It’s not fair! But it’s not like his brother was cheating. He’s just wired differently. He found a different path to achieve the same outcome. But think about the complaint, “It’s not fair!” What’s behind that? Is it envy?

I think something like that is at work in our first reading from Numbers and our Gospel. Take Numbers, for example. The first reading describes a sort of ordination. But two of the chosen, Eldad and Medad, missed the ceremony! Later, Joshua, son of Nun, comes to Moses to complain because Eldad and Medad are prophesizing, but they missed the ordination! They didn’t check all the boxes off in order.

How does Moses respond? “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the people of the Lord were prophets!” (Numbers 11:29)

Moses gets it! God can do whatever God wants because God is God! So, why be jealous? Why not celebrate God’s grace pouring into the world even if it’s happening outside the way Joshua thinks it should happen? Something similar is going on in today’s Gospel.

John says to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” (Mark 9:38)

Wow! Someone was driving out demons in the name of Jesus, and they tried to stop them?

Jesus says, don’t prevent them because if demons are being expelled, then God’s grace is operative.

It’s very interesting, isn’t it? And it points to a situation in the world today. Why did God bother to give us the Church and the sacraments if there are so many other Christian churches out there? The Church teaches in catechism #1257 that the sacraments and the Church are the ordinary means by which God communicates grace. But here’s the interesting part. God is not constrained by the sacraments! God can operate outside these structures if he so chooses.

The point of the church is the ordinary sacramental vehicle of God’s grace – to help grace flood into the world.

The formal structures serve the grace of God, but God is active in the world everywhere.

If that’s true, then why should I come to Mass? Why can’t I just be like some of those other people out there who praise and worship God by ourselves, in the privacy of our own homes – maybe on our patio deck with a cup of coffee as the sun rises?

Because you’ve heard the Good News! God invited you to help! God invited you and me to be cocreators. God invited you and me to support the church and to actively participate in ministry so that God’s church can continue to be the ordinary means by which God’s grace pours into the world.

How can we not help God?

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.

What are some ways I can help the church be a source of grace to my family, my friends, my neighbors and my community?

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

References:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Ecumenical dialogue: 821, 1126, 1636
2. Hell: 1033-37
3. Jealousy: 1852
4. Scandal: 2284-87
5. Unjust wages: 2409-10
6. The danger of immoderate riches: 2445-6, 2536, 2544-6
7. Temptation: 2846-49

Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092621.cfm
Lectionary: 137

Reading 1
Numbers 11:25-29
The LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses.
Taking some of the spirit that was on Moses,
the LORD bestowed it on the seventy elders;
and as the spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied.

Now two men, one named Eldad and the other Medad,
were not in the gathering but had been left in the camp.
They too had been on the list, but had not gone out to the tent;
yet the spirit came to rest on them also,
and they prophesied in the camp.
So, when a young man quickly told Moses,
“Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp, “
Joshua, son of Nun, who from his youth had been Moses’ aide, said,
“Moses, my lord, stop them.”
But Moses answered him,
“Are you jealous for my sake?
Would that all the people of the LORD were prophets!
Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!”

Responsorial
Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-13, 14
R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
Yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Reading 2
James 5:1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.
Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten,
your gold and silver have corroded,
and that corrosion will be a testimony against you;
it will devour your flesh like a fire.
You have stored up treasure for the last days.
Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers
who harvested your fields are crying aloud;
and the cries of the harvesters
have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure;
you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter.
You have condemned;
you have murdered the righteous one;
he offers you no resistance.

Alleluia
Cf. John 17:17b, 17a
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Your word, O Lord, is truth;
consecrate us in the truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48
At that time, John said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.”
Jesus replied, “Do not prevent him.
There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name
who can at the same time speak ill of me.
For whoever is not against us is for us.
Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink
because you belong to Christ,
amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,
it would be better for him if a great millstone
were put around his neck
and he were thrown into the sea.
If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.
It is better for you to enter into life maimed
than with two hands to go into Gehenna,
into the unquenchable fire.
And if your foot causes you to sin, cut if off.
It is better for you to enter into life crippled
than with two feet to be thrown into Gehenna.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out.
Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye
than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna,
where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.'”

Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

two people holding hands and words on picture say if anyone wishes to be first he shall be the last of all and the servant of all

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
Responsorial: Psalm 54:3-6 and 8
Reading 2: James 3:16-4:3
Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome for another edition of deacon rudy’s notes. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal and together we’re going to break open the Word!

You know, Katrina and I have been married for 27 years! I remember my wedding day. It was a beautiful Mass, and the party was awesome! People kept talking about it for years!

But I think many people have a romanticized view of marriage. I mean, this holiday season, many of us will undoubtedly be subjected to a variety of Lifetime Christmas movies. What always happens? Eventually, the couple overcomes the obstacles, get together, and then happily ever after.

Isn’t that lovely?

Reality can be a little messy.

A friend of mine who is an Episcopal priest from Maryland told me a really tragic story. He said, there’s a couple in his parish who let him know that after their long marriage, they were calling it quits – getting a divorce. They were irreconcilable. They didn’t want to talk about it with anyone!

Well, after a little prying, they finally admitted to my friend that the reason why they were getting divorced, is because one voted for Biden and the other for Trump.

That’s mind-boggling to me – that a couple joined in a Christian marriage and who had been together for so long could allow their married life to fall apart over politics. I just don’t get it.

I know people who’ve ended friendships over politics or the pandemic. What leads us to such drastic decisions?

In today’s second reading, James sheds some light on this dilemma. He asks, “Where do the wars and where do the conflicts among you come from? Is it not from your passions that make war within your members?” (James 4:1) And then he goes on to suggest that it’s our emotions are to blame. He names some of them for us.

Jealousy, selfish ambition, coveting (James 3:16, 4:4) – these can all lead to conflict in our homes and in our community. Life isn’t always as easy or romantic as a Lifetime Christmas movie. As a husband, I can say that I am who I am in part because of who Katrina is.

What I mean is that together, we’ve grown and changed as individuals and as a couple. But growing in a relationship – whether as a married couple or a friend – means being willing to change. Being willing to give up some ideas or habits or even decorations in our homes for the sake of our relationships. Jesus tells us in today’s Gospel that being first means being a servant of all. So, stubbornly clinging to our point of view – our way or the highway – benefits no one except maybe divorce attorneys.

Homework! Inspired by the Word of God and by the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following question.

How do I make sure that I put others first in my life – especially my spouse if I’m married?

I think doing our homework will help us be the intentional disciples we are called to be! Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word! Peace!

Image Credit: Unknown. JPG file.

References:
1. Anderson, Kelly and Daniel Keating. James, First, Second, and Third John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2017. Kindle.
2. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
3. Montague, George T. SM. Mark: A Popular Commentary on the Earliest Gospel. Steubenville, Ohio: Franciscan University Press, 1992.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. Christ, obedient Servant of God: 539, 565, 600-605, 713
2. Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem: 557-58
3. To serve is to reign: 786
4. Authority as service: 876, 2235
5. Priestly ministry as service: 1547, 1551
6. Passions: 1763-75
7. Love for children: 1825
8. Definition of sin: 1851
9. Different kinds of sin: 1852-53
10. Safeguarding peace: 2302-06
11. The sin of envy: 2538-40
12. Prayer of petition: 2629-33

Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091921.cfm
Lectionary: 134

Reading 1
Wisdom 2:12, 17-20
The wicked say:
Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;
he sets himself against our doings,
reproaches us for transgressions of the law
and charges us with violations of our training.
Let us see whether his words be true;
let us find out what will happen to him.
For if the just one be the son of God, God will defend him
and deliver him from the hand of his foes.
With revilement and torture let us put the just one to the test
that we may have proof of his gentleness
and try his patience.
Let us condemn him to a shameful death;
for according to his own words, God will take care of him.

Responsorial
Psalm 54:3-4, 5, 6 and 8
R. (6b) The Lord upholds my life.
O God, by your name save me,
and by your might defend my cause.
O God, hear my prayer;
hearken to the words of my mouth.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
For the haughty have risen up against me,
the ruthless seek my life;
they set not God before their eyes.
R. The Lord upholds my life.
Behold, God is my helper;
the Lord sustains my life.
Freely will I offer you sacrifice;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for its goodness.
R. The Lord upholds my life.

Reading 2
James 3:16—4:3
Beloved:
Where jealousy and selfish ambition exist,
there is disorder and every foul practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure,
then peaceable, gentle, compliant,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without inconstancy or insincerity.
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
for those who cultivate peace.

Where do the wars
and where do the conflicts among you come from?
Is it not from your passions
that make war within your members?
You covet but do not possess.
You kill and envy but you cannot obtain;
you fight and wage war.
You do not possess because you do not ask.
You ask but do not receive,
because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Alleluia
Cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God has called us through the Gospel
to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 9:30-37
Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it.
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.”
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?”
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest.
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”