November 4 // 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Reading I: Deuteronomy 6: 2-6
Responsorial Psalm 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
Reading II: Hebrews 7:23-28
Gospel: Mark 12:28b-34

In this Sunday's readings from Deuteronomy and Mark we are challenged to LISTEN to God and love God and our neighbor. Yet our world is rocked by horrific acts of violence.
Turning to God in desperate need last Sunday night, 3500 people supported our Jewish brothers and sisters in Temple B’rith Kodesh. Heartfelt sung and spoken prayer in several languages was so beautifully translated that our voices were one in solidarity. Rabbis from throughout the region were joined by leaders of all faith traditions. Among them was a 16 yr. old Muslim youth who a few months ago brought together 400 strangers who became neighbors. God speaks through such transformative relationship building. We can no longer be strangers; we are called and gifted by God to so love one another that we genuinely are neighborly to every human being.

Deni Mack, D. Min