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5 November 2017

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st reading: Malachi 1:14-2:2, 8-10
Psalm: 130
2nd reading: Thesalonians 2:7-9, 13
The Gospel of Matthew 23:1-12

Addressing the people and his disciples Jesus said, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees occupy the chair of Moses. You must therefore do what they tell you and listen  to what they say; but do not be guided by what they do: since they do not practise what they preach. They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but will they lift a finger to move them? Not they! Everything they do is done to attract attention, like wearing broader phylacteries and longer tassels, like wanting to take the place of honour at banquets and the front seats in the synagogues, being greeted obsequiously in the market squares and having people call them Rabbi.

  ‘You, however, must not allow yourselves to be called Rabbi, since you have only one master, and you are all brothers. You must call no one on earth your father, since you have only one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called teachers, for you have only one Teacher, the Christ. The greatest among you must be your servant. Anyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will be exalted.’

They do not practice what they preach

The Lord warns us that flattering words and sweet promises should be judged by the fruits they produce. Often enough, beneath an outward show of a lamb a ravening wolf is concealed (Mt 7:15). And just as thorns do not produce grapes nor thistles produce figs…, even so, Jesus says, Each one should be judged according to their fruits.

No indeed, a service that was limited to fine words would not suffice to obtain the Kingdom of heaven. It is not those who say “Lord, Lord” who will inherit it … What sense would a holiness be that was limited to the invocation of a name? For the Kingdom of heaven is to be found in obedience to God’s will…

We ought, then, to put something of our own into it if we want to attain eternal blessedness. We have to give something out of our own resources: desire good, avoid evil and obey the divine precepts with all our hearts. An this attitude will make us worthy of being acknowledged as God’s own.  
Saint Hilary (c.315-367), Bishop and Doctor
Commentary on Saint Matthew

This week’s feasts
Wed 8 All Saints of Jerusalem (In our diocese).
Thu 9 Dedication of the Lateran Basilica
Fri 10 Saint Leo the Great, Pope, Doctor 
Sat 11 Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop

Psalter Week III

Readings for Next week
1st: Wisdom 6:12-16
Psalm: 62:2-8
2nd: Thesalonians 4:13-18
Gospel: Matthew 24:42,44

St. Leo I (the Great), Pope and Doctor

The place and date of his birth are unknown; he died 10 November, 461. Leo’s pontificate is one of the most important in Christian antiquity. His chief concern was the unity of the Church. He was a fierce combatant of the heresies which seriously threatened church unity even in the West.

Pope Leo took to heart his duties as supreme pastor and ecclesiastical discipline occupied a prominent place for him. Especially at a time when invasions by barbarians were introducing much immorality into the lives of Christians.

Once, Northern Italy had been devastated by Attila the King of the Huns; the Pope had a personal encounter with him and saved the city of Rome through negotiations.

His sermons are also remarkable for their spiritual depth and elevated style.

Leo died 10 November, 461, and was buried in the vestibule of St. Peter’s Basilica and today, there is an altar specially dedicated to St. Leo.

St. Leo the Great, pray for us.

Parish Lunch: Sunday 12 November, 1pm. Join us for lunch at the Latin Parish Hall. Bring and share!

Light up a Life Service: Thurs 14 Dec at 6pm. Join in a prayerful evening for our faithful departed. To have the name of a loved one read out please contact Mary Penny: 9639 8641.  

The Flower Arrangement Group is looking for volunteers. Contact Resi at 26910706.

Fr. Carlos Tandem Parachute Jump Sat 2nd Dec. Sponsor our Parish Priest to help Caritas, please see poster in the Coffee Shop.

Join us for a Meze Meal at Akis Taverna Achelia (Road to Airport) on  Fri 24 Nov at 7:30pm €15.00. Live entertainment by Dominic Holmes, to help Archangel Michael Hospice. Call 99389073 to book (limited availability)

Christmas Shopping Trip to Nicosia Tues 12 December. 3 stops M & S, Ledra Street near the border (passport required) final stop Ikea. Raffle with prizes. Bus leaves 8am from Debenhams Upper parking, returns around 7 pm. Cost €17 to help Hospice. Call Linda 99562387.

CARITAS PAPHOS is looking for a place to store the Christmas presents for the children. Thanks for your prayers and support! Contact Wendy Burdon at 99040294

Mass Times HERE