Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 16, 2020
First Reading: Ephesians 1.11-14
11In him, we too are called to our portion, having been predestined in accord with the plan of the One who accomplishes all things by the counsel of his will12So may we be, to the praise of his glory, we who have hoped beforehand in Christ13In him, you also, after you heard and believed the Word of truth, which is the Gospel of your salvation, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the Promise14He is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the acquisition of redemption, to the praise of his glory
Psalm 33
1A Psalm of David. Exult in the Lord, you just ones; together praise the upright2Confess to the Lord with stringed instruments; sing psalms to him with the psaltery, the instrument of ten strings3Sing to him a new song. Sing psalms to him skillfully, with loud exclamation4For the word of the Lord is upright, and all his works are in faith5He loves mercy and judgment. The earth is full of the mercy of the Lord6By the word of the Lord, the heavens were established, and all their power, by the Spirit of his mouth7gathering together the waters of the sea, as if in a container, placing the depths in storage8Let all the earth fear the Lord, and may all the inhabitants of the world quake before him9For he spoke, and they became. He commanded, and they were created10The Lord scatters the counsels of the nations. Moreover, he reproves the thoughts of the people, and he rejects the counsels of the leaders11But the counsel of the Lord remains for eternity, the thoughts of his heart from generation to generation12Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his inheritance13The Lord has looked down from heaven. He has seen all the sons of men14From his well-prepared dwelling place, he has gazed upon all who dwell on the earth15He has formed the hearts of each one of them; he understands all their works16The king is not saved by great power, nor will the giant be saved by his many powers17The horse is false safety; for he will not be saved by the abundance of his powers18Behold, the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him and on those who hope in his mercy19so as to rescue their souls from death and to feed them during famine20Our soul remains with the Lord. For he is our helper and protector21For in him, our heart will rejoice, and in his holy name, we have hoped22Let your mercy be upon us, O Lord, just as we have hoped in you
Gospel: Luke 12.1-7
1Then, as great crowds were standing so close that they were stepping on one another, he began to say to his disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy2For there is nothing covered, which will not be revealed, nor anything hidden, which will not be known3For the things that you have spoken in darkness will be declared in the light. And what you have said in the ear in bedrooms will be proclaimed from the housetops4So I say to you, my friends: Do not be fearful of those who kill the body, and afterwards have no more that they can do5But I will reveal to you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he will have killed, has the power to cast into Hell. So I say to you: Fear him6Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And yet not one of these is forgotten in the sight of God7But even the very hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of God’s profound plan for us and the call to live with authenticity and trust in His providence. The first reading from Ephesians speaks of our predestination in God’s plan, sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. This passage reassures us that we are part of a larger divine narrative, chosen and loved by God, and called to live in hope and joy. The Gospel from Luke, however, shifts our focus to the importance of living without hypocrisy. Jesus warns his disciples to beware the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy, and encourages them to trust in God’s care rather than fear those who can harm the body.
Both readings, though different in tone, are deeply connected. Ephesians emphasizes God’s initiative in our lives, highlighting His plan and the gift of the Holy Spirit who seals us as His own. Luke’s Gospel, on the other hand, calls us to respond to this gift with authenticity and trust. Jesus reminds us that nothing is hidden from God and that we are worth more than many sparrows. Together, these readings invite us to live with integrity, knowing that we are secure in God’s love and care.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are we living with the authenticity and trust that God calls us to? Do we recognize the depth of God’s love for us, even in the smallest details of our lives? Let us strive to live without hypocrisy, trusting in God’s plan and care for us. May we embrace the truth that we are beloved children of God, and may this truth guide us in living lives of hope, integrity, and courage.