Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

GOD’S LAW AND GOD’S LOVE

The secret to our Sunday readings today lies in the Gospel Acclamation: “Whoever loves me will keep my word, says the Lord, and my Father will love him and we will come to him” (John 14:23). That single line from John’s Gospel gets right to the heart of today’s readings, reminding us of the intimate relationship between the law (“Keeping God’s word”) and God’s love. While human nature tends to resist burdensome rules, our readings show us the wisdom of God’s plan that guides us with the rule of law. In Exodus, the law boldly prevents injustice, protecting the most vulnerable members of society. In Thessalonians, the law elevates our behavior and saves us from “the coming wrath.” In Matthew’s Gospel, the law swaddles us in God’s compassion. In loving God, neighbor, and self, we imitate God and bring blessing to a fractured world.

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Masses for the Week

• Sun. Oct. 25 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish
• Mon. Oct. 26 8:30 AM
• Weds. Oct. 28 8:30 AM & 6:30 PM
• Thurs. Oct. 29 8:30 AM
• Fri. Oct. 30 8:30 AM
• Sat. Oct. 31 8:30 AM & 5:30 PM
• Sun. Nov. 1 9:00 AM & 12:00 PM — Spanish

Announcements

Priesthood Sunday — National Vocation Awareness Week

National Vocation Awareness Week is an annual celebration in the Catholic Church in the United States dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, diaconate, and consecrated life through prayer and education and to renew our prayers and support for those who are considering one of these vocations. There will be a second collection Nov. 7 & 8 for Priesthood Sunday.

Knights of Columbus — What Are We Doing?

At the Knights of Columbus meeting it was decided to conduct a non-perishable food drive for those less fortunate in our community. From Sunday October 25 to Sunday, November 15, one cardboard box will be placed at the main entrance to the church and one box will be placed at the social hall entrance. The knights greatly appreciate the church’s support for our community. Let’s fill those boxes!

The Knights recognized supporting the church’s remodeling and improvement efforts by providing $1,000 towards refurbishing the garage. Everyone is looking forward to seeing the garage’s completion!

Queen of Families Mass — Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Cathedral

Please join Bishop Spalding on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Incarnation for the third annual Queen of Families Mass for those who have experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or other child loss. All families who have ever experienced the loss of a child at any stage of life, before or after birth, as well as all the faithful who want to pray with us in support of these families are welcome to attend. For more information and resources, please visit: nashvillefaithformation.com/queen-families-mass

Fr. Regi Away — Fr. Praveen Kumar Covering

Fr. Praveen Kumar will be staying at the rectory and covering for Fr. Regi while he is away.

Religious Education & OCIA — Classes Meet Today

Classes will meet today at 10:15–11:15.

Coffee & Donuts Next Sunday

Stay after Mass next Sunday for coffee and donuts.

Word Among Us — November Issue

Pick up the November issue of the Word Among Us in the hall or vestibule.

Kroger Cards for Those in Need

We continue to get several calls a week for food and gas so if you are able, please pick up a Kroger card and drop it in the collection basket to help those in need. Thank you.

Please Help Keep Our Church Clean

There has been gum found in the pew book holders, and now that we have two water dispensers, cups are being left in the church and hall. Parents, please make sure your children pick up after themselves. Thank you.

Online Giving

Here is the established QR code if you would like to make a donation online.

Today’s Readings

First Reading: You shall not oppress an alien, for you yourselves were once aliens in Egypt (Exodus 22:20-26).

Psalm: O Lord, my rock, I love you (Psalm 18).

Second Reading: You became imitators of the Lord, so that you became a model for all believers (1 Thessalonians 1:5c-10).

Gospel: You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40).

Readings for the Week

Monday: Eph 4:32 — 5:8; Ps 1:1-4 & 6; Lk 13:10-17

Tuesday: Eph 5:21-33; Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5; Lk 13:18-21

Wednesday: Eph 2:19-22; Ps 19:2-3, 4-5; Lk 6:12-16

Thursday: Eph 6:10-20; Ps 144:1b, 2, 9-10; Lk 13:31-35

Friday: Phil 1:1-11; Ps 111:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Lk 14:1-6

Saturday: Phil 1:18b-26; Ps 42:2, 3; Lk 14:1, 7-11

Sunday: Rv 7:2-4, 9-14; Ps 24:1bc-2, 3-4ab, 5-6; 1 Jn 3:1-3; Mt 5:1-12a

Reflecting on the Word

“What does it mean to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind?” I ask the group of children who are in the midst of preparation for the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion. In the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd model of faith formation, Reconciliation is presented as the restoration of a relationship rather than a way to escape God’s wrath and punishment. The first moral lesson given to a child whose moral awareness is emerging is to reflect on the greatest commandment from today’s Gospel. The children respond, “We must pray…we talk about God to our friends…we must follow God…” and so on. I can see that they are trying to make sense of an idea that seems distant and abstract. Then I ask about the love of neighbor. Once we get past the literal neighborhood, the children quickly, and rather easily, recognize that our love for God is made manifest in our love of everyone. Yes, everyone. All of humanity. They are convinced that even a person who does not believe in the Christian God is capable of loving God and neighbor, thus attaining eternal life. And that believers must love non-believers—no excuses! Their vision of God’s kin-dom is expansive and radically inclusive.

The first reading shows us how closely the children are attuned to God’s desire for humanity—that we care for each other, that we look out for each other, and that we do not deprive or cheat each other. Whether it is the immigrant, the single mother, or the poor and unhoused, we are to treat them as our own siblings. Another way to look at this would be to ask ourselves: Would we oppress or afflict our family or a friend (make them suffer)? Would we wrong our sister or cousin or best friend who is a widow (refuse support and care)? Would we ask our children to pay interest on the money we lend them in their time of need (who of us with children hasn’t received that call!)? Would we deprive our friend of the sweater that keeps her warm (even if it is our favorite sweater)? The resounding “no” to these questions is the restoration of our covenant with God.

Excerpted from Living the Word

Mission Statement

We, the members of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, recognize and respect our diverse and multicultural character. By the grace of God, we will nurture our spiritual community through prayer, service, and example to become one family in Christ.

Adoration

8:00 AM — 1st Saturday of the month

7:00 PM — 1st & 3rd Friday (Spanish)