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Musings for the 31st Sunday of Ordinary Time
On October 24, 2024, Pope Francis has published an Encyclical Letter entitled DILEXIT NOS and in English ON THE HUMAN AND DIVINE LOVE OF THE HEART OF JESUS CHRIST. In the Introduction we read the following:
“1. HE LOVED US”, Saint Paul says of Christ (cf. Rom 8:37), in order to make us realize that nothing can ever “separate us” from that love (Rom 8:39). Paul could say this with certainty because Jesus himself had told his disciples, “I have loved you” (Jn 15:9, 12). Even now, the Lord says to us, “I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15). His open heart has gone before us and waits for us, unconditionally, asking only to offer us his love and friendship. For “he loved us first” (cf. 1 Jn 4:10). Because of Jesus, “we have come to know and believe in the love that God has for us” (1 Jn 4:16).”
We have just celebrated the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and this Thirty First Sunday of Ordinary Time we hear Jesus say to the scribe, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
As fall deepens and winter approaches, we notice that even the hardiest of plants are dying, the leaves are falling and most of the birds have flown south. It is a time of completion and rest. And yet our faith journeys continue. We are being invited to listen to one another and make changes to how we live so that we might bless one another. We are reminded that we are called to holiness, to set our eyes on Jesus Christ. We are reminded that death comes to all of us and there is hard work to prepare for death. Amid these reminders, we are told once again that we are loved by God. God’s heart is spacious, and nothing external can separate us from that love.
As we have come to know and believe that God loves us, we take the time this week to deepen our love for those people we struggle to like and care for. We look for ways to build bridges and we turn away from those ideas and positions that divide us. People interested in wielding power would separate us while people who love us seek to nurture unity. What will I choose?
A Few Announcements from the Parish
Leon Hartman, the father of Lance Hartman, our custodian, passed away this past Wednesday, October 30. Let us pray for Leon’s wife, Anne, and for their children, Lance, Angela, Keith and Brian and their families. The funeral Mass for Leon will take place on Friday, November 8 at 11:00 am at Holy Spirit Parish in Saskatoon. You are invited to join us in prayer if you are able.
Congratulations to Theo who was baptized this past Sunday, and to his parents, Richard and Ashlee Picard, and his siblings, Ava and Grayson.
Our Synod entitled: For a Synodal Church – Communion, Participation, and Mission (2021-2024) has ended, and the ideas and directions have been published in the Synod Final Document. The Official English version has not yet been published but should be available soon. I shall let you know when it is available. |
