Book Reviews and More: Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

Sunday, 28 October 2018

Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time 2018

The readings for this weekend's mass are:

First Reading Jeremiah 31:7-9
Responsorial Psalm 126: 1-6 Response 3
Second Reading Hebrews 5:1-6
Gospel Mark 10:46-52

This week’s readings can be unpacked in several ways. From the first reading we are reminded to sing and shout to the Lord. We are told about God calling in his flock, gathering them from where they were dispersed. God states that he will become again a Father to Israel. And he is a father to us. The response is:

“The Lord has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.”

and it is easy to rejoice when things are going well, and it is easy to praise when blessings are forthcoming. But life is not all rainbows and sunshine. But like the character Rocky says:

“What is it you said to the kid? The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very rough, mean place... and no matter how tough you think you are, it'll always bring you to your knees and keep you there, permanently... if you let it. You or nobody ain't never gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit... it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward... how much you can take, and keep moving forward. If you know what you're worth, go out and get what you're worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hit.”
- Rocky in Rocky Balboa (Rocky VI)

It is much harder, but to be honest even more important to be praising God when things are hard. Many times, we need to get back up, put our trust back in God, and rely on Him and his will. Life does throw hits our way, and the best way to get back up is to give it all back to god. From the second reading:

“You are a priest forever,
according to the order of Melchizedek.”

We have all been called to serve. And we are all called to love out our divine sonship. In the gospel this week Jesus asks the blind min what he wants. It would seem an obvious answer, but the blind man replies:

“My teacher, let me see again.”

This should be our request also. We need our eyes open to the spiritual realities around us. We need our eyes opened so we can see where and when to serve. We need our eyes opened so we can see ourselves as we truly are, and give all we are back to God.

Jesus, I pray for my readers that they will be blessed. And I pray that you will open my eyes. Let me see and let me serve.