Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection: 2 November 2020
Readings at Mass for Monday November 2, 2020
Weekday (31) Ordinary Time
Vestment: Violet
Today’s Rosary: The Joyful Mystery
Theme of the Feast: Teach Us to Count Our Days. Death must be thought of as a light that guides us through our lives so that our decisions may always be wise and righteous, leading us to embody the beatitudes.
COMMEMORATION OF ALL THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED (ALL SOULS DAY):
Today we remember in a special way our brothers and sisters who have preceded us into eternal life especially, Rev Fr. Festus Ogbonmwan, Hon. Godfrey Emwanta, Mrs. Felicitas Sholabomi Robinson,Victoria Akpene, Louis Emwanta, Michael Afemefuna, Mr. James Ipuole Ogbaji, Mrs. Rose Riwo Ogbaji, James Otie, Mr. Ogmadewu Odey, Emmanuel O. Odey, Emmanuel Amen, Precious Abutu, Felicia Abutu, Samuel Emonena, Gladys Emonena, Cecilia Emonena, Akpobome Omamuyovwi, Pa Williams Jimoh, Mrs. Catherine Williams, Alice Williams, Mark Williams, Mr. Augustine Friday Nwatu, Mr. Moses Ejimofer Nwatu, Benedict Osezua Eigbegbea, Justine Ekwonna, Jude Eigbegbea, Dominic Amatu, Mr. Sylvanus A. Undiandeye, Hon. Anslem Undiandeye, Mrs. Lucy Udama Akoli, Joseph Anale, Mr. Abdgim Undiandeye, Ada Uzor, Igwe Isaiah Uzor, Ignatius Nwokoro, Agnes Nwokoro, Anthony Nwokoro, Nicholas Mbakogu, Martina Mbakogu, Angelina Mmaduko, Ike Okoye, Atule Momoh, Honorio Kayode Clement, Mattew A. Idehen, Paul Idehen, Dr. Michael Gorip Gotep, Engr. Wurusibewei E. Edwin, Wurusibewei Andrew, Patricia Ebi Akpe, Mr. Gabriel Anaedo, Mrs. Monica Ezidinma Okonkwo, Oigbochie Vincent, Fashanu Opeyemi, Shola Shanubi, Mariam Odunsakin, Micheal Odusakin, Patrick Sule, Maria Patrick, Sabastian Patrick, Patrick Jr, Amina Okewu, Gabriel Akubo, Francis Haruna, Martha Omadaga, Regina Enuwa Iwodi, Silvanus Akwugbo, Martha Omadaga Obochi, Iwodi Simon Ekoja, Udah Emmanuel, Mr, Damian Nwoko, Mary Yohanna Laura, Mr Augustine Musa, Mr. Habila D.D Akawu, Rev. Fr. David Talon, Ndulue Ikenna, Rosaline Ndulue, David Ikegwuonu, Emmanuel Ekwupulum, Michael Obioha, Theresa Obioha, Mr and Mrs Aloy Dyke, Pa Stephen Ehimare Ohenhenlen, David T. Adzenda, Rose Y. Adzenda, Tivna Adzenda, Pa Isekenegbe, Chidiebubu Aliozor, Love Aminu, Solomon Aliozor, Cecilia Nworah, Anulika Ude, Mrs. Jacinta Mary Gande, Ojotule Miracle,Madam Benedicta Matthew Akpan, Evelyn Atop Ntui,G.E Edet, Chief Emmanuel Mmogbana, Chief Jerome Onwudiwe, Sir Felix Asemota, Pa Idiaghe, Aborted babies, Souls in Purgatory and all our departed loved ones too numerous to mention.
Our remembering is not done with the grief like those who have no hope. Rather, we do so in a spirit of faith and hope, knowing that the faithful departed share in the resurrection of Christ and live in communion with us.
FIRST READING
He accepted them like a sacrificial burnt offering.
A reading from the Book of Wisdom(Wisdom 3:1-9c)
The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be an affliction, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of men they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them for ever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his elect.
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 23: 1-3.4.5.6 (R.1 or 4)
R. The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want.
OR: Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures
where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me;
he revives my soul.
He guides me along the right path,
for the sake of his name R/.
Though I should walk in the valley of the shadow of death,
no evil would I fear, for you are with me.
Your crook and your staff will give me comfort. R/.
You have prepared a table before me
in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil;
my cup is overflowing. R.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell
for length of days unending. R/.
SECOND READING
“Since we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans (Romans 5:5-11)
Brethren: Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. While we were yet helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Why, one will hardly die for a righteous man— though perhaps for a good man one will dare even to die. But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we are now justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA
Alleluia. Come, O blessed of my Father, says the Lord; inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
GOSPEL
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to John (John 6:37-40)
At that time: Jesus said to the crowds, “All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him who comes to me I will not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me, and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose noting of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that every one who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Prayer of the Faithful
Christ will raise them up.
PRIEST: My brothers and sisters, we are called by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ to share his risen life with God our Father. Let us pray with renewed confidence to the Lord for all the needs of the Church and world.
READER:
For the Pope, bishops and priests, (pause) let them continue to proclaim the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, who came that we all might have life without end. Pause Father, have mercy;
and give us life everlasting we pray Oh Lord.
For those who struggle for peace in the world, (pause) let them realize that life on earth is but the reflection of life in heaven, and let them continue their efforts to bring all sections of the community together in perfect peace and harmony. Pause Father, have mercy;
and give us life everlasting we pray Oh Lord.
For those who are bereaved, (pause) as they pray for the repose of the souls of their loved ones, let them be assured by the hope that one day they will be reunited with those they have loved and lost awhile. Pause Father, have mercy;
and give us life everlasting we pray Oh Lord.
For greater confidence in the resurrection, (pause) let the hope of eternal life comfort all Christians in their daily lives, so that everything they say and do is measured by the promise of their resurrection. Pause Father, have mercy;
and give us life everlasting we pray Oh Lord.
In silence, we pray for our own intentions to God, our loving Father.
PRIEST: Father, we offer you our humble prayers, knowing that you will answer them because you have promised us eternal life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Today’s Reflection
Jesus’ comforting words in today’s Gospel captures well the meaning of the occasion we celebrate: “that I should lose nothing of all he has given me but raise it up at the last day.” The souls in purgatory are not lost; though imperfectly, they lived their lives believing in Jesus. Our prayers keep us in contact with them and help us not to forget them. They await what is promised them: eternal life, and our prayers hasten that for them. It is comforting to know that “Jesus rejects no one the Father has given him” and reassuring also that “The souls of our loved ones are in the hands of God, and no torment will ever touch them.” As we pray and do penance for the Holy Souls today, let us resolve now, (today, not tomorrow) to live lives of prayer and penance so that when our earthly journey ends we may be found worthy to enjoy the beatific vision promised by God.
Personal Devotional
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” Deuteronomy 31:6
– Dear Lord, I thank you for this day, I thank you for my being able to see and hear this morning. I am blessed because you are a forgiving and an understanding God.
– You have done so much for me and kept on blessing me. Grant me the grace Father not to offend you or my neighbour today. When the enemy of my soul comes to seduce me to sin against you please help me to run to your Son Jesus.
Let Us Pray
Please keep me safe from all dangers and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of this day with a clear mind, so that I can hear from you. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things that I have no control over. Moreover, this is the best response when I am pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I cannot pray, you listen to my heart. Continue to use me O Lord to do your will. Please Lord continue to use me that I may be a blessing to others especially those who are hurt and do not have any person to help them. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others