Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
October 11, 2021
Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 467
Reading I
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus,
called to be an Apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God,
which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
the Gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh,
but established as Son of God in power
according to the Spirit of holiness
through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him we have received the grace of apostleship,
to bring about the obedience of faith,
for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles,
among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ;
to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy.
Grace to you and peace from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm
- (2a) The Lord has made known his salvation.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
His right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.
R. The Lord has made known his salvation.
Alleluia
- Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice,
harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
“This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here.
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Readings for the Optional Memorial of Saint John XXIII, pope
Reflection: SIMPLE FAITH TO RESPOND TO GOD'S INVITATION
Paul today, presents his credentials as an apostle. Paul introduces himself us as: (1) A Servant of Christ Jesus. The Greek word he uses is doulos which is slave. Paul's favourite title of Jesus Christ is kyrios, which means Lord. Jesus had loved him so much that he belonged no more to himself but only to Jesus. (2) “Called to be an apostle". Jesus called him to make him His apostle. (3) Set apart. Set apart is a consecration. He is set apart for the exclusive service of God. (4) To bring good news of God's grace is his mission. (5) The Good News of Jesus Christ pre-announced by the prophets. The Jews heard the word of God but refused to believe. They wanted a sign. Jesus gives them the sign, the sign of Jonah. The people of Nineveh, a pagan people, listened to the words of Jonah and believed. The sign of Jonah is the sign of Jesus' Resurrection. The Queen of Sheba, a foreigner, acknowledges Solomon's wisdom and believes his God. The residents of Nineveh are foreigners and yet they believe and repent. Jesus' point is that if foreigners can believe and acknowledge God, why not his listeners? Jesus states that his ministry is even greater than Jonah's was, and yet his people still do not repent. More will be asked of a man to whom more has been entrusted" (Lk 12:48). Ours will be the best or the worst of ages. Let's repent and believe in the Good News of Jesus.