31ST SUNDAY ORDINARY TIME 03 NOVEMBER 2024
Penitential Rite
As we begin our celebration,
let us remember the inclusive love of God.
For our lack of compassion and welcome. Lord have mercy
For our willingness to exclude those who are different.
Christ have mercy
For our failure to see you in the poor and marginalised.
Lord have mercy
May our great and gracious Lord, who has conquered selfishness, have
mercy on us, forgive us our sin and bring us to life everlasting.
Amen
Deuteronomy 6:2-6
Moses said to the people: ‘If you fear the Lord your God all the
days of your life and if you keep all his laws and commandments
which I lay on you, you will have a long life, you and your son and
your grandson. Listen then, Israel, keep and observe what will make
you prosper and give you great increase, as the Lord God of your
fathers has promised you, giving you a land where milk and honey
flow. ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord our God is the one Lord. You shall
love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with
all your strength. Let these words I urge on you today be written on
your heart.’
Hebrews 7:23-28
There used to be a great number of priests under the former
covenant, because death put an end to each one of them; but this
one, Christ, because he remains for ever, can never lose his
priesthood. It follows then, that his power to save is utterly
certain, since he is living for ever to intercede for all who come
to God through him. To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to
be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of
sinners, and raised up above the heavens; one who would not need to
offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do for their
own sins and then for those of the people, because he has done this
once and for all by offering himself. The Law appoints high priests
who are people subject to weakness; but the promise on oath, which
came after the Law, appointed the Son who is made perfect for ever.
Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia, Alleluia
If anyone loves me they will keep my word, and my Father will love
them, and we shall come to them. Alleluia
Mark 12:28-34
One of the scribes came up to Jesus and put a question to him,
‘Which is the first of all the commandments?’ Jesus replied, ‘This
is the first: Listen, Israel, the Lord our God is the one Lord, and
you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your
soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is
this: You must love your neighbour as yourself. There is no
commandment greater than these.‘ The scribe said to him, ‘Well
spoken, Master; what you have said is true: that he is one and there
is no other. To love with all your heart, with all your
understanding and strength and to love your neighbour as yourself,
this is far more important than any holocaust or sacrifice.’ Jesus,
seeing how wisely he had spoken said, ‘You are not far from the
kingdom of God.’ And after that no one dared to question him any
more.
Prayer of the Faithful
God our Father and Mother, Your love for us is unconditional and
eternal. We thank you.
Lord hear us
True Love, calls us to be open to one another and to accept one
another. Lord may our lives reflect this Love. Lord hear us
Help Lord, us to create a society where no one feels unwanted,
unloved or excluded.
Lord hear us
We remember all who have died. We pray for those killed in the
floods in Spain and all who have died through violence, hunger and
war. Lord hear us
Lord Jesus, your Kingdom is a place where justice and peace are
stepping stones to compassion and forgiveness. May your Kingdom
come. Lord hear us
Let us remember in silence, all who need our prayer and
support……………..Lord hear us
Reflection
May “When love awakens in your life, in the night of your heart, it
is like the dawn breaking within you. Where before there was
anonymity, now there is intimacy; where before there was fear, now
there is courage; where before in your life there was awkwardness,
now there is a rhythm of grace and gracefulness; where before you
used to be jagged, now you are elegant and in rhythm with yourself.
When love awakens in your life, it is like a rebirth, a new
beginning.”
John O’Donohue
Remembered this Weekend
Mary Daly (Birthday Rem)
Margaret Nolan (Birthday Rem)
We also remember the
victims of the floods in Spain.