Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 29, 2021
First Reading: Romans 9.1-5
1I am speaking the truth in Christ; I am not lying. My conscience offers testimony to me in the Holy Spirit2because the sadness within me is great, and there is a continuous sorrow in my heart3For I was desiring that I myself might be anathemized from Christ, for the sake of my brothers, who are my kinsmen according to the flesh4These are the Israelites, to whom belongs adoption as sons, and the glory and the testament, and the giving and following of the law, and the promises5Theirs are the fathers, and from them, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is over all things, blessed God, for all eternity. Amen
Psalm 147
1Alleluia. Praise the Lord, because the psalm is good. Delightful and beautiful praise shall be for our God2The Lord builds up Jerusalem. He will gather together the dispersed of Israel3He heals the contrite of heart, and he binds up their sorrows4He numbers the multitude of the stars, and he calls them all by their names5Great is our Lord, and great is his virtue. And of his wisdom, there is no number6The Lord lifts up the meek, but he brings down the sinner, even to the ground7Sing before the Lord with confession. Play psalms to our God on a stringed instrument8He covers heaven with clouds, and he prepares rain for the earth. He produces grass on the mountains and herbs for the service of men9He gives their food to beasts of burden and to young ravens that call upon him10He will not have good will for the strength of the horse, nor will he be well pleased with the legs of a man11The Lord is well pleased with those who fear him and with those who hope in his mercy12Alleluia. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem. Praise your God, O Zion13For he has reinforced the bars of your gates. He has blessed your sons within you14He has stationed peace at your borders, and he has satisfied you with the fat of the grain15He sends forth his eloquence to the earth. His word runs swiftly16He provides snow like wool. He strews clouds like ashes17He sends his ice crystals like morsels. Who can stand firm before the face of his cold18He will send forth his word, and it will melt them. His Spirit will breathe out, and the waters will flow19He announces his word to Jacob, his justices and his judgments to Israel20He has not done so much for every nation, and he has not made his judgments manifest to them. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 14.1-6
1And it happened that, when Jesus entered the house of a certain leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were observing him2And behold, a certain man before him was afflicted with edema3And responding, Jesus spoke to the experts in the law and to the Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?4But they kept silent. Yet truly, taking hold of him, he healed him and sent him away5And responding to them, he said, "Which of you will have a donkey or an ox fall into a pit, and will not promptly pull him out, on the day of the Sabbath?6And they were unable to respond to him about these things
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound expressions of love and justice, inviting us to reflect on how these virtues should guide our actions and decisions. The first reading from Romans reveals Paul’s deep sorrow for his Jewish brothers who have not yet accepted Christ. Despite their rich heritage as God’s chosen people, Paul laments their spiritual separation from Christ, even expressing a willingness to be cut off from Him for their sake. This passage highlights Paul’s immense love and solidarity with his people, as well as his trust in God’s plan of salvation.
The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet complementary scene. Jesus heals a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ strict interpretation of the law. While they question the legality of healing on the Sabbath, Jesus demonstrates that love and compassion must take precedence over rigid rules. His actions and words remind us that the law was made for humanity, not the other way around. By healing the man, Jesus embodies the heart of God, who desires the well-being of all people.
Both readings call us to reflect on how we balance rules and compassion in our lives. Like Paul, we are to love deeply and desire the good of others, even when it comes at great personal cost. Like Jesus, we are to prioritize love and care for those in need, even when it challenges conventions. As we navigate our daily lives, may we remember that true justice and holiness are rooted in love. Let us ask ourselves: Are our actions guided by compassion and mercy, or are they constrained by unnecessary rigidity? May we follow Christ’s example, allowing love to shape our decisions and interactions with others.