NOVEMBER 8 Mon Weekday Wis 1:1-7/Lk 17:1-6
9 Tue The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Feast
Ez 47:1-2, 8-9, 12/1 Cor 3:9c-11, 16-17/Jn 2:13-22
10 Wed Saint Leo the Great, Pope and Doctor of the Church Memorial
Wis 6:1-11/Lk 17:11-19
11 Thu Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop Memorial Wis 7:22b—8:1/Lk 17:20-25
12 Fri Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr Memorial Wis 13:1-9/Lk 17:26-37
13 Sat USA: Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, Virgin Memorial Wis 18:14-16; 19:6-9/Lk 18:1-8
14 SUN THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME Dn 12:1-3/Heb 10:11-14, 18/Mk 13:24-32
The weekly readings and feasts are a wonderful opportunity to explore our faith. The readings from the Book of Wisdom and St. Luke’s Gospel this week, for example, take us into the Old and New Testaments. The scriptures are a catechism.
Then, the feasts and saints this week. The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome (Nov 9), the first of the great churches built after Constantine brought an end to Christian persecutions in the 4th century. Why do we have churches anyway? Is the CoVid epidemic a step towards their disappearance?
Pope Leo (Nov 10) is called great because he led a church threatened with destruction by barbarian armies. God always provides the leaders we need.
Martin of Tours(Nov 11), the soldier who gave half of his cloak to a freezing beggar, later revealed to be Christ. What are we doing for the poor? November 11 was chosen for his feast because it was when European farmers were butchering their cattle, getting ready for the winter. Martin reminded them to put aside something for the poor. Are we doing that?
Josephat (Nov 12) was a bishop seeking the unity of Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches. He suffered martyrdom for his efforts. Keeping our church together is a big task that concerns us all.
Mother Cabrini ( November 13) a dynamic little Italian nun, championed poor Italian immigrants who came to the United Stats expecting streets paved in gold, but found hard cold cobblestones instead. Who’s championing immigrants today?
The readings and feasts are our catechism. They ask us questions and we question them. Be part of the liturgy day by day.
The Victor's Place 
Dear Father Victor, we are made for something more than the small story of our human life. Your reflection reminds me of that and also the importance of the daily Liturgy for helping us reach our greater potential. Do we need our churches? No question about it! To nourish us, renew us, and strengthen us! And give us life in Christ! I would never think of all that if it weren’t for your reflection. Thank you, Father Victor, for feeding us, too!
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