Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 21, 2022
First Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6
1And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called2with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity3Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace4One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling5one Lord, one faith, one baptism6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all
Psalm 24
1For the First Sabbath. A Psalm of David. The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord: the whole world and all that dwells in it2For he has founded it upon the seas, and he has prepared it upon the rivers3Who will ascend to the mountain of the Lord? And who will stand in his holy place4The innocent of hands and the clean of heart, who has not received his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbor5He will receive a blessing from the Lord, and mercy from God, his Saviour6This is the generation that seeks him, that seeks the face of the God of Jacob7Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter8Who is this King of Glory? The Lord who is strong and powerful; the Lord powerful in battle9Lift up your gates, you princes, and be lifted up, eternal gates. And the King of Glory shall enter10Who is this King of Glory? The Lord of virtue. He himself is the King of Glory
Gospel: Luke 12.54-59
54And he also said to the crowds: "When you see a cloud rising from the setting of the sun, immediately you say, ‘A rain cloud is coming.’ And so it does55And when a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be hot.’ And so it is56You hypocrites! You discern the face of the heavens, and of the earth, yet how is it that you do not discern this time57And why do you not, even among yourselves, judge what is just58So, when you are going with your adversary to the ruler, while you are on the way, make an effort to be freed from him, lest perhaps he may lead you to the judge, and the judge may deliver you to the officer, and the officer may cast you into prison59I tell you, you will not depart from there, until you have paid the very last coin.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the importance of living in harmony with one another and being attentive to God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Ephesians urges us to walk in a manner worthy of our Christian vocation, emphasizing humility, patience, and love. It calls us to preserve the unity of the Spirit, recognizing that we are one body with one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This passage speaks to the early Christian community, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their shared identity in Christ, despite their differences.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the present moment. Jesus criticizes the crowd for being able to interpret the signs of nature—like clouds and winds—but failing to discern the signs of the times. He then tells a parable about the importance of settling disputes before they escalate, warning that ignoring justice can lead to dire consequences. This teaching emphasizes the need for vigilance and responsibility in how we live our lives and interact with others.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our daily lives. The Ephesians passage reminds us of the importance of unity and humility in our relationships, while the Gospel challenges us to be attentive to God’s presence and to act with integrity. May we strive to live in a way that reflects the unity of the Spirit and to discern God’s will in our lives, seeking justice and peace in all that we do.