Tag: Year B

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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.'”

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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.”

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Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

the words faith and works on scenic picture

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Mass Readings

Reading 1: Isaiah 50:5-9a
Responsorial: Psalm 116: 1-6, 8-9
Reading 2: James 2:14-18
Gospel: Mark 8:27-35

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091221.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

(recorded during mass)

Do you remember the first time, you held a baby in your arms? Maybe it was your baby. Maybe it was your grandchild or a niece or your nephew or the baby of a close friend. You know, a lot of work came before that baby arrived. I mean there was baby furniture to build, baby clothes to wash and organize. Maybe there was a room to paint to decorate. It can be overwhelming!

When we were expecting our first child, we were in the middle of a move from San Antonio to Birmingham, Alabama. So, I would spend four days in Birmingham, then commute back to San Antonio and spend three days there only start the cycle over again. I’ve got to be honest with you, that got old really fast!

But then on the day that my baby arrived, and I held him in my arms for the first time, all stress and anxiety of the move melted away. It’s not that all of that that came before wasn’t important. But the birth of my son put all of that work into perspective. Being a parent and a husband helps me understand today’s readings.

For example, James talks about faith and works. It’s the very issue that caused Martin Luther to raise his hand and say, “I think I’m going about my salvation all wrong.” You see, Luther described himself as the most monkish of monks. What did does that mean? Luther was busy working as a monk. He was convinced that everything he did would earn his way into heaven.

But then he came to realize that without faith, none of that work matters. The Council of Trent, the Catholic Church’s official response to the Reformation, actually agrees with Luther on this point. The bishops teach us that faith comes first. How can it not? Faith is such a precious, hard-won gift that this crucifix testifies to. That’s what Jesus tells us in the Gospel today. The Son of Man must suffer and die so that he could rise again on the third day and save us from sin and death (Mark 8:31). <1>

Of course, faith comes first. But faith reaches its fullness in love. I understand that as a father and a husband because all the work that I do becomes a response to the gift of my family.

That’s why James will tell us can say faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

Our readings challenge our very understanding of the gift of the Eucharist. If you believe – and I mean if you really believe that what we receive is the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus, then it should change you! It should change me! And that change should manifest in works of love.

Do I see Jesus in the eyes of my wife and my children? Do we see Jesus the suffering servant described in today’s first reading in the eyes of the homeless? Or do I just write them off as a nuisance? Do I see Jesus in the eyes of everyone with whom I don’t agree, especially about politics, the pandemic o anything? Or do we just write them out of my life?

James says to us it’s not enough to say, “I believe,” and not respond with works of love. For example, as a husband and a father, all the chores that I do, the work I do outside the home are works of love. As a Christian, prayer, coming to Mass, participating in the sacraments – the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist – participating in ministries, helping the Church in whatever way I am physically and financially able to carry out its mission to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and draw people back to Jesus Christ.

As a parent and a husband, all of that makes sense. How can I look into the eyes of my wife and my children and not be changed?

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I encourage you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, if someone were to ask you, “why bother being a Christian?” who would you say Jesus is?
Second, does the way I live my life in the privacy of my home, at work, on social media, reflect my faith in Christ Jesus?

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? Are you going to do it? Good! In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

Image: Faith & Works. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Robert Barron, “Faith Perfected By Love,” Word on Fire, podcast audio, Sept. 16, 2018, https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/faith-perfected-by-love/21458/.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
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. Barron, Robert. “Faith Perfected By Love.” Word on Fire. Podcast audio. Sept. 16, 2018. https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/homily/faith-perfected-by-love/21458/.
3. Healy, Mary. The Gospel of Mark. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2008. Kindle.
4. 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. Faith: 150-65
2. Jesus the Messiah: 436-40
3. Jesus suffered and died for our salvation: 440, 571-72, 601
4. Christ’s knowledge: 471-74
5. The paschal mystery: 571-73
6. Taking up the cross: 618, 1435, 1642, 1816, 2427
7. The path of the Messiah traced out in the “Servant Songs:” 713-16
8. Spiritual progress: 2012-16
9. Good works manifest faith: 2044-46
10. Works of mercy: 2447
11. Almsgiving: 2462

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091221.cfm
Lectionary: 131

Reading 1
Isaiah 50:5-9a
The Lord GOD opens my ear that I may hear;
and I have not rebelled,
have not turned back.
I gave my back to those who beat me,
my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;
my face I did not shield
from buffets and spitting.

The Lord GOD is my help,
therefore I am not disgraced;
I have set my face like flint,
knowing that I shall not be put to shame.
He is near who upholds my right;
if anyone wishes to oppose me,
let us appear together.
Who disputes my right?
Let that man confront me.
See, the Lord GOD is my help;
who will prove me wrong?

Responsorial
Psalm 116:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 8-9
R. (9) I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I love the LORD because he has heard
my voice in supplication,
Because he has inclined his ear to me
the day I called.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The cords of death encompassed me;
the snares of the netherworld seized upon me;
I fell into distress and sorrow,
And I called upon the name of the LORD,
“O LORD, save my life!”
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Gracious is the LORD and just;
yes, our God is merciful.
The LORD keeps the little ones;
I was brought low, and he saved me.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.
For he has freed my soul from death,
my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling.
I shall walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.
R. I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 2
James 2:14-18
What good is it, my brothers and sisters,
if someone says he has faith but does not have works?
Can that faith save him?
If a brother or sister has nothing to wear
and has no food for the day,
and one of you says to them,
“Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well, ”
but you do not give them the necessities of the body,
what good is it?
So also faith of itself,
if it does not have works, is dead.

Indeed someone might say,
“You have faith and I have works.”
Demonstrate your faith to me without works,
and I will demonstrate my faith to you from my works.

Alleluia
Galatians 6:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord
through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mark 8:27-35
Jesus and his disciples set out
for the villages of Caesarea Philippi.
Along the way he asked his disciples,
“Who do people say that I am?”
They said in reply,
“John the Baptist, others Elijah,
still others one of the prophets.”
And he asked them,
“But who do you say that I am?”
Peter said to him in reply,
“You are the Christ.”
Then he warned them not to tell anyone about him.

He began to teach them
that the Son of Man must suffer greatly
and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed, and rise after three days.
He spoke this openly.
Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples,
rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.”

He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them,
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake
and that of the gospel will save it.”