THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, OCTOBER 13, 2022

MASS READINGS

A Gospel according to LK 11:47-54

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.

REFLECTION

"When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say."

There is so much to reflect on in the readings for today.

The first reading is a beautiful letter of encouragement from Saint Paul to the Ephesians. The Psalm sings praise to the Lord for making known His salvation.

Then the Gospel reading sends a message of woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed and woe to the scholars of the law. If our focus stays on trying not to do wrong like the people who are in this Gospel reading instead of focusing on Jesus, we will probably be filled with much fear.

As we focus on Jesus and his teachings, we learn that there is going to be suffering for the followers of Christ. In the book of John chapter 15 verse 18-20, Jesus taught:

"If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. Remember the word I spoke to you, 'No slave is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours."

In our PAPA Handbook, as we continue to read and meditate on our purpose as PAPA Missionaries, (page 10) we know that Our Reason for praying for priests is:

"The Catholic Church has been fiercely attacked by her enemies. Her priests are constantly bombarded with demands and assaults from inside as well as outside the Church. Many have faltered in their vocation. Allegations against priests increase every day. For this reason, PAPA comes into being to support the priests through prayers and personal sacrifices; and to recruit more people to join in this endeavor."

Here in the Houston area we are seeing attacks on our beliefs. I know of two recent instances. First, people who are pro abortion defacing the Church building and painting words on the doors. Second, someone stole the Tabernacle with the Holy Eucharist inside, from a Church in Katy, Texas. The Catholic Church is being attacked.

Our Handbook also outlines who Our Enemy is: DWF - The Devil, the world, and the flesh.

In this Gospel reading, the Scribes and Pharisees do not have God's peoples best interest at heart, and Jesus is letting them know that this is wrong.

Are we open to hearing what Jesus has to say in the Gospels, and learning from His teachings? In PAPA we have another acronym - FAT. It stands for Flexible, Adaptable, Teachable. These are good qualities to have when living your life for Christ.

Jesus does everything in love. His rebuke of the Scribes and Pharisees was a warning to change, but they were not FAT to Jesus' Words. When Jesus left, he knew that the scribes and Pharisees were plotting against him.

The battle rages on, and as it does, let us stay focused on Jesus and encourage each other to stay strong in the love of Christ as St. Paul encouraged the Ephesians. Support our priests with your prayers and sacrifices and know that they are valuable in the battle for souls.

PAPA Prayer for Priest