READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday: Ti 1:1-9; Ps 24:1b-4ab, 5-6; Lk 17:1-6
Tuesday: Ti 2:1-8, 11-14; Ps 37:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29; Lk 17:7-10
Wednesday: Ti 3:1-7; Ps 23:1b-6; Lk 17:11-19
Thursday: Phlm 7-20; Ps 146:7-10; Lk 17:20-25
Friday: 2 Jn 4-9; Ps 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18; Lk 17:26-37
Saturday: 3 Jn 5-8; Ps 112:1-6; Lk 18:1-8
Sunday: Dn 12:1-3; Ps 16:5, 8-11; Heb 10:11-14, 18; Mk 13:24-32
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday: In Memory of Teresa Sardelich
Requested by Beverly Vicory
Health Intention of Evelyn Elmer
Requested by Loretta Hockings
Tuesday: Health Intention of Evelyn Elmer
Requested by Loretta Hockings
PRAYER LISTS BEING UPDATED
If you have anyone you want added to the following Pray Lists below or were already on the list before and want to continue to be on the list, you can call the office at 916 452- 6866 or email us at info@immaculateconceptionsacramento.org. (Also please remember to let us know when the names should be removed).
PRAY FOR THE CHRONICALLY ILL
Lilian Davila, Alex Piedra, Ron Sykes
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SPECIAL HEALTH INTENTIONS
Noreen Crowley, Evelyn Elmer, Minnie Jimenez, Mary Katherine Hernandez, Loretta Hockings, Dorothy Manich, Irene Rodriguez, Dorothy Wanner
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SPECIAL INTENTIONS
Jacqueline Daste, Evelyn Borba,
-- NAMES --
PRAY FOR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN
Gabriel Granados, Michael Godina, Marco Mares Jr., Mariela del Carmen Mares
-- NAMES --
A GOOD STORY
Christianity is the story of beggars who tell other beggars where to find bread.
—Anonymous
Reflection on the Readings
GOSPEL Mark 12:38-44
In the course of his teaching Jesus said to the crowds, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.” He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, “Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
My sisters and brothers in Christ,
Jesus expects us to trust Him completely. Many of us are not quite so sure that we can trust Him, even though we want to trust Him. The widow in the first reading shows us how a person can trust completely, even to the point of giving up the little one has for another person. The Gospel of Mark today repeats that message with the story of the poor widow who gave all she had, trusting in the Lord. The challenge today: Will I trust? Will I give up what I have because I trust in the Lord?
The first reading is from the First Book of Kings and gives us stories about the Prophet Elijah. Elijah is a wonderful person in the Old Testament. Elijah trusts so completely that he always does what God asks of him, even when it puts his own life in danger. Elijah can complain to God because Elijah has such a close relationship with God and thus shares everything with God. This is part of the challenge for us today: trust and become close! When God does not give us what we think we need, we are free to tell God that we still need what we are asking for. We must have confidence will always give us what we truly need.
The second reading today is from the Letter to the Hebrews. The author continues to compare Jesus Christ to the High Priest of the Jewish faith. The author always wants us to know that there is more in the world of the sacred than just the High Priest. Jesus is a new expression of what it means to be a High Priest. You and I are invited to be priests also, sharing in the High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. We need to embrace our human condition and bring all that is truly human to the Lord. We are invited to share in Christ and with Christ.
The Gospel of Mark brings us back to the theme of giving all that we have to the Lord. Perhaps many of us are more practical and give to the Lord what we may have in excess of what we need. The Lord wants more! The Lord wants all that we have and all that we are. The Lord invites us and waits for us. Many of us are fearful that if we give all, we shall have nothing left. Think again of the widow in the first reading. She had practically nothing and was preparing to share the little she had with her son—and then die. The Prophet comes and asks her to give to him the small amount she had. This is the kind of experience that we may have. We seem to lack everything that we need in this life and especially we may lack the means to obtain what we believe we need. Then God asks us to give up even the little we have.
Can we do that? Are we able to trust so much in God that we will give up even what we believe is necessary? God is asking us? What will we reply?
Your brother in the Lord, Abbot Philip
https://christdesert.org/2018/11/32nd-sunday-ordinary-time-cycle-b-2018/
AZTEC DANCE GROUP/CLASSES
The Aztec dance group practices on Thursday's at 7 pm in the school gym if you are interested in joining or learning come by and check it out classes are completely free. For more information call (916) 277- 4114
REQUEST FOR PRAYER
Bishop Soto asks for your prayers prior to the general assembly of the American bishops beginning November 12th, where they will make critical decisions regarding the tragedy of clergy abuse.
ENGAGING CATECHIST SERIES
Attention Catechist’s of the Diocese of Sacramento! On November 8th the Office of Family & Faith Formation will start the 5 part Engaging Catechist Series. This series of workshops will be comprised of stand alone classes offered by well seasoned members of the religious education community. The series begins on Thursday, November 8, 2018 , we will cover Safe Environment, Volunteers & Classroom Management. This is an excellent opportunity to gather with fellow Catechists to share ideas, ask advice, and connect! Register now at : www.scd.org/catseries
YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID TRAINING
ALL Adults who work with adolescents and teens, especially youth ministry leaders, catechists, and teachers are invited and encouraged to attend Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training, taught by a team of experts from Elk Grove Unified School District. Training in English on Saturday, November 17th, 8am-5pm at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Elk Grove. The cost is only $25 and includes lunch and materials. You must register in advance and space is limited, so don’t wait. Contact Lindsey West at lwest@scd.org or 916-733-0151. Register online at .https://catholic.formstack.com/forms/cultivate.
YOUNG AND MARRIED MEETINGS
Christ the King Retreat Center in Citrus Heights will host a series of 5 monthly Young and Married meetings, each from 3 – 5 pm, the next meeting will be on November 18, 2018 and is open to all Catholic married couples. Each meeting will provide an opportunity to socialize with other married couples, discuss important issues and learn more about how to live in today’s world as a Catholic couple. There is no cost to attend. For more information, contact Fr. Giltus, 916-725-4720, ext 311, gmathias@passionist.org