Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 28, 2021
First Reading: Ephesians 2.19-22
19Now, therefore, you are no longer visitors and new arrivals. Instead, you are citizens among the saints in the household of God20having been built upon the foundation of the Apostles and of the Prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the preeminent cornerstone21In him, all that has been built is framed together, rising up into a holy temple in the Lord22In him, you also have been built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit
Psalm 19
1Unto the end. A Psalm of David. The heavens describe the glory of God, and the firmament announces the work of his hands2Day proclaims the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge3There are no speeches or conversations, where their voices are not being heard4Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world5He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom. He has exulted like a giant running along the way6his departure is from the summit of heaven. And his course reaches all the way to its summit. Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat7The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones8The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes9The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves10desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb11For, indeed, your servant keeps them, and in keeping them, there are many rewards12Who can understand transgression? From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord13and from those of others, spare your servant. If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression14And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever, O Lord, my helper and my redeemer
Gospel: Luke 6.12-19
12And it happened that, in those days, he went out to a mountain to pray. And he was in the prayer of God throughout the night13And when daylight had arrived, he called his disciples. And he chose twelve out of them (whom he also named Apostles)14Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew15Matthew and Thomas, James of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called the Zealot16and Jude of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was a traitor17And descending with them, he stood in a level place with a multitude of his disciples, and a copious multitude of people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast, and Tyre and Sidon18who had come so that they might listen to him and be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled by unclean spirits were cured19And the entire crowd was trying to touch him, because power went out from him and healed all
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on our identity as followers of Christ and our role in the mission of God. In the first reading from Ephesians, we hear that we are no longer strangers or sojourners but are now citizens in the household of God. We are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes that we are part of a living temple, a spiritual structure where each of us has a place and a purpose. It reminds us that our faith is not just an individual relationship but a communal one, rooted in the traditions and teachings of the Church.
The Gospel from Luke complements this by showing us how Jesus, in prayer, chose the Twelve Apostles to be the foundation of this new community. Jesus spent the night in prayer before selecting those who would carry on his mission. This highlights the importance of prayer in discerning God’s will and the significance of community in living out our faith. The crowd that gathered around Jesus, seeking healing and touch, shows us that the Church is not just for the few but for all people, and we are called to be instruments of healing and grace in the world.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I living out my role as a member of God’s household? Am I rooted in prayer and open to God’s call? Am I reaching out to others, offering them the healing and love that Christ has shown me? Let us strive to be living stones in the temple of God, building up the Body of Christ and sharing his love with the world.