30th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B, Year II)

Community Word: Those who are poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Theme: We inherit the Kingdom of God when we witness to our faith.

Promise: “I will console and guide them, I will lead them to brooks of water on a level road, so that none shall     stumble.”(Jer 31:9b)

Reflection:
During His ministry, Jesus stressed that the Kingdom of God is the reign of God in our lives. If we wish to inherit it, we must surrender and completely relinquish our old self at the cross of Christ, to be born again and be renewed, placing our life under the authority of God. We begin to live a new life where everything is under God’s control, allowing Him to transform us, to form and balance our attitude and way of life.There is a total shift of allegiance from this world with all its enticements, to God.

We are no longer self-centered, but we live for Christ, following and walking with Him in faith and obedience. We serve Christ not for own sake or to please others, but doing the will of God wholeheartedly. Because of our faith, we believe and trust that Jesus is always ready to work in and through us for the glory of God. We keep our faith as the key that unlocks God’s power to overcome any obstacle and difficulty which prevents us from inheriting His Kingdom.

This is what is expressed in our theme for the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time – We inherit the Kingdom of God when we witness to our faith.As Christians, we are commissioned by Jesus to proclaim, establish and promote God’s kingdom and dominion in this world. We are expected to set the example and lead sinners to repentance and bring them back to a deeper relationship with the Lord. Being a witness to our faith means helping those who are “poor in spirit” recognize their dignity and freedom, and the importance of their conscience. We should be ready to lift up those who are being discriminated, marginalized, oppressed and ignored, so that they will see us as the light bearers and the signs of the Kingdom to come.

Our ultimate goal is holiness, continual conversion of heart and possessing the zeal to change and transform our passion for power, recognition and wealth into true and genuine service. Our lives should be witnesses of the reign of God, like that of Jesus. We might not be able to escape the temptations of self-glorification and triumphalism that hurt our relationship with God. But we have the Holy Spirit whose task is to convict us whenever we are caught in the bondage of sin. He is our Counselor and Advocate who will defend us before God against Satan who works doubly hard to bring us down and away from our path to holiness. St. Paul reminds us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it,” (1Cor 10:13).

This week’s promise from Jeremiah, “I will console and guide them, I will lead them to brooks of water on a level road, so that none shall stumble” (Jer 31:9b) should not only inspire us to continue proclaiming God’s powerful presence in our lives. It is also a call for us to live in faith that His Kingdom is already in our midst.

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, we thank You for your consolation and guidance that keep our faith strong and our desire to serve You even stronger. Grant us victory over the destructive influences of sin and our self-centeredness that keep us from following Your will. Give us fortitude to always choose what is good and reject what is evil. May Your truth and love permeate our hearts that we may be authentic testifiers of faith as we lead others to the righteous path that your Kingdom may rule their hearts now and always. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
1. In what way can you testify to others that the Kingdom of God is now in our midst?
2. How can you convince others to respond to the call to renew their lives in Christ?
3. How can you take advantage of God’s grace in resisting temptation to sin? How can you use God’s gift of fortitude to overcome obstacles in doing His will?

This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
Oct 28, 2018 (Sun) – Jer 31:7-9/Ps 126:1-6/Heb 5:1-6/Mk 10:46-52
Oct 29, 2018 (Mon) – Eph4:32-5:8/Ps 1:1-4, 6/Lk 13:10-17
Oct 30, 2018 (Tue) – Eph 5:21-33/Ps 128:1-5/Lk 13:18-21
Oct 31, 2018 (Wed) – Eph 6:1-9/Ps 145:10-14/Lk 13:22-30
Nov 1, 2018 (Thu) – Rv 7:2-4, 9-14/Ps 24:1-6/1Jn 3:1-3/Mt 5:1-12
Nov 2, 2018 (Fri) – Wis 3:1-9/Ps 23:1-6/Rom 5:5-11/Mt 25:31-46
Nov 3, 2018 (Sat) – Phil 1:18-26/Ps 42:2, 3, 5/Lk 14:1, 7-11

“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”