Wednesday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Foreword: During Ordinary Time, the entrance and communion antiphons of the Sunday liturgy are repeated throughout the week. In this way, the themes developed at the Sunday Mass are enriched and expanded as they interact with the different readings found on each day of the following week in much the same way that a kaleidoscope presents a constantly changing view of colors, forms, and designs.

The first reading of our liturgy today from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans tells of our life-long struggle with sin: “Sin must not reign over your mortal bodies so that you obey their desires” (Rom 6:12). It is in this context that the words of the entrance antiphon become our prayer today for assistance to be freed of the slavery of sin: “To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the shadow of your wings protect me” (Ps 17(16):6,8). Indeed, it is thanks to God that “although you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient…Freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness” (Rom 6:17,18). This divine assistance in our weakness is further confirmed in the psalm response to this reading: “…had not the Lord been with us…then would they have swallowed us alive… Our help is in the name of the Lord” (Ps 124:2a,3a,8a).

The urgency of our conversion from sin is made clear in the gospel from St. Luke: “You must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come” (Lk 12:40). We must be like prudent stewards of all that has been placed in our charge, awaiting the return of our master. It is this Master, who, in the words of the communion antiphon “has come to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10:45). We are bidden to be vigilant and to follow our master’s example of selfless service.

Prayer for today: Lord, in the shadow of your wings I seek protection from the forces of sin in my life. Help me to be a faithful servant who follows in your way of self-sacrifice for the sake of others.

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB