3 Nov
Thu
31st Week in Ordinary Time
St Martin de Porres, religious
Rom. 14:7-12
Ps. 26:1,4,13-14
Lk. 15:1-10
(Ps Wk III)
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It is usually instructive to pay attention to the setting of Jesus' parables. Thus, the setting for the three "parables of mercy" of Luke 15 is clearly indicated: "The tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus". Clearly, we are to understand that they gathered around because they found meaning in Jesus' words and found that meaning attractive. But it was not really to them that Jesus addressed His three parables. Rather, He directed His words to those who were not gathering round to hear Him, but were rather hovering on the edge of the crowd with an attitude of antipathy and hostility: the murmuring Pharisees and scribes. The tax-collectors and the sinners needed to hear about God's mercy also, of course, but not quite in the terms of these parables. They had a more direct experience: they already experienced how God searched for them in Jesus, as a woman searches for a lost coin or a man for a lost sheep. Before they heard these parables, they had already in the person of Jesus experienced their truth. The Pharisees and scribes, however, had not reached the same level of experience or understanding: they had much to learn about compassion, acceptance and forgiveness.



Father, teach us to be compassionate, as You are compassionate towards us.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That married people may imitate the example of conjugal holiness shown by so many couples in the ordinary conditions of life.
Elaboration

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