Sunday Says Podcast – September 22, 2013 Mass Readings and Reflection

Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (Jerusalem Bible Translation)

Liturgy of the Word for September 22, 2013 (NAB Translations) Lectionary: 135

Reflection begins at 3:30 minute mark.

Reading 1 AM 8:4-7

This first reading from Amos is short and to the point. We haven’t heard from this prophet in over a year and half at Sunday mass, and we get to hear from him again next week.

Amos was well educated on the history of his people, and he remembered that the Hebrews were at one time poor and enslaved. Now, many of them had become rich and were treating the poor horribly.

The majority of this reading does sound odd at face value if it is read all in the same tone, but the large part of this is Amos is mocking their internal schemes as they continue to take advantage of the marginalized.

The Lord concludes this reading with an appeal to the legacy of His people, the sons of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Responsorial PsalmPS 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8

R. (cf. 1a, 7b) Praise the Lord who lifts up the poor.

Reading 2 1 TM 2:1-8

This second reading from Timothy is fitting in light of recent words from our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Here Saint Paul is reminding them to thinking beyond themselves. Sometimes we can get so caught up in ourselves as the Church that we forget about the needs of the others. We are being reminded that we are called to pray for everyone, even if they don’t believe.

This letter shows us a lot about the nature of our main prayer, and focuses especially on our most important prayer as Catholics – the Holy Mass. We see that our Lord Jesus calls us to pray repeatedly for our intentions and those in our lives.

Gospel LK 16:1-13

This week’s Gospel talks a lot about an often touchy subject at church, money. There is also an option of two different lengths so you might only hear the ending or you might also hear the parable of the bad steward.

In this parable, the master hears about the way his steward was wasting his property. Once he is confronted, he realizes his error and repents. He calls in the debtors to reduce their payments and treats them with fairness. Once the master hears about this, he is pleased to see he made good decisions when he was about to endure challenges. This could be a way of preparing Jesus’ disciples for upcoming difficulties.

The theme of this Gospel is a reminder how to be a good steward. If we have truly made Jesus as Lord of our lives, we have to come to the understanding that everything we have is only because it has been given to us by our Lord. The way we use our resources shows where we prioritize our relationship with Him, and in the end, this will also be taken into account when we are at our final judgement before God. Following Jesus helps us to discern wisely and to be trustworthy in His eyes.

Question for further reflection