Daily Readings - Thu Oct 10 2019
Malachi
13Your words have gathered strength over me, says the Lord14And you have said, "What have we spoken against you?" You have said, "He labors in vain who serves God," and, "What advantage is it that we have kept his precepts, and that we have walked sorrowfully in the sight of the Lord of hosts15Therefore, we now call the arrogant blessed, as if those who work impiety have been built up, and as if they have tempted God and been saved.16Then those who fear the Lord spoke, each one with his neighbor. And the Lord paid attention and heeded. And a book of remembrance was written in his sight, for those who fear the Lord and for those who consider his name17And they will be my special possession, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I act. And I will spare them, just as a man spares his son who serves him18And you shall be converted, and you will see the difference between the just and the impious, and between those who serve God and those who do not serve him
1For, behold, the day will arrive, kindled like a furnace, and all the arrogant and all those who act impiously will be stubble. And the approaching day will inflame them, says the Lord of hosts; it will leave behind for them neither root, nor sprout2But unto you, who fear my name, the Sun of justice will arise, and health will be in his wings. And you will go forth and leap like the calves of the herd
Luke
5And he said to them: "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves6because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I do not have anything to set before him.7And from within, he would answer by saying: ‘Do not disturb me. The door is closed now, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.8Yet if he will persevere in knocking, I tell you that, even though he would not get up and give it to him because he is a friend, yet due to his continued insistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs9And so I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you10For everyone who asks, receives. And whoever seeks, finds. And whoever knocks, it shall be opened to him11So then, who among you, if he asks his father for bread, he would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he would give him a serpent, instead of a fish12Or if he will ask for an egg, he would offer to him a scorpion13Therefore, if you, being evil, know how to give good things to your sons, how much more will your Father give, from heaven, a spirit of goodness to those who ask him?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, persistence, and the relationship between God and his people. In the first reading from Malachi, we hear a prophetic message that contrasts the fate of the just and the impious. The prophet warns of a day when the arrogant and those who act impiously will face judgment, while those who fear the Lord and remain faithful will be spared and experience the Sun of Justice rising in their lives. This passage emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in our commitment to God, even when it seems difficult or when others around us have abandoned their faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the power of persistence in prayer through the parable of the friend who knocks repeatedly at midnight. He assures us that even when our prayers seem unanswered, God, unlike the reluctant friend, is a loving Father who desires to give us good things. Jesus reminds us that if even sinful humans know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. This teaching encourages us to approach God with confidence and perseverance, trusting in his goodness and love.
These readings remind us that faith is not a passive state but an active engagement with God. In a world that often seems indifferent or even hostile to our beliefs, we are called to remain faithful, just as the just in Malachi’s prophecy. At the same time, we are invited to deepen our prayer lives, knocking on God’s door with persistence, knowing that he hears us and desires to give us the gifts we need. Let us take these lessons to heart and strive to live with unwavering faith and trust in God’s providence.