Sin Faith Duty

NOVEMBER 08, 2021, MONDAY
Monday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time (Green)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
Lectionary: 491

Reading I
Wis 1:1-7

Love justice, you who judge the earth;
    think of the Lord in goodness,
    and seek him in integrity of heart;
Because he is found by those who test him not, 
    and he manifests himself to those who do not disbelieve him.
For perverse counsels separate a man from God,
    and his power, put to the proof, rebukes the foolhardy;
Because into a soul that plots evil, wisdom enters not,
    nor dwells she in a body under debt of sin.
For the holy Spirit of discipline flees deceit
    and withdraws from senseless counsels;
    and when injustice occurs it is rebuked.
For wisdom is a kindly spirit,
    yet she acquits not the blasphemer of his guilty lips;
Because God is the witness of his inmost self
    and the sure observer of his heart
    and the listener to his tongue.
For the Spirit of the Lord fills the world,
    is all-embracing, and knows what man says.

Responsorial Psalm
139:1b-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-10

R.    (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

O LORD, you have probed me and you know me;
    you know when I sit and when I stand;
    you understand my thoughts from afar.
My journeys and my rest you scrutinize,
    with all my ways you are familiar.

R.    Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Even before a word is on my tongue,
    behold, O LORD, you know the whole of it.
Behind me and before, you hem me in
    and rest your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
    too lofty for me to attain.

R.    Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Where can I go from your spirit?
    From your presence where can I flee?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.

R.    Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

If I take the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
Even there your hand shall guide me,
    and your right hand hold me fast.

R.    Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

Alleluia
Phil 2:15d, 16a

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GOSPEL
Lk 17:1-6

Jesus said to his disciples,
“Things that cause sin will inevitably occur,
but woe to the one through whom they occur.  
It would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck
and he be thrown into the sea
than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.
Be on your guard!
If your brother sins, rebuke him;
and if he repents, forgive him.
And if he wrongs you seven times in one day 
and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’
you should forgive him.”
And the Apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed,
you would say to this mulberry tree,
‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

REFLECTION:

Jesus tells us that despite our efforts to lead a good life, we are sure to stumble. He understands this and hence his lovely gift of Reconciliation. But he warns us of the great damage we do if we are responsible for causing others to stumble. Our being together should be for our mutual support and not for causing others to be led astray.

Be grateful for all those who, through the grace of God, helped you to live your faith in the shadow of Jesus. Realizing our own weakness and realizing too how the Lord is so considerate towards us, helps us to be more Christ-like when we need to forgive others.

PRAYER:

‘Lord, increase our faith!’ What a beautiful prayer, one that can accompany us throughout our whole lives. Jesus’ response fills us with consolation: a very small amount of faith is enough, it will work wonders. Yet, we do tend to worry too much about how strong or how deep is our faith. Thank you Lord for the great gift of faith!