Daily Readings - Sun Oct 30 2022
Wisdom
22Though many are strong, you alone always overcome. And who will withstand the strength of your arm23For, like a tiny grain on a scale, just so is the world before you, and like a drop of dew before dawn, which descends upon the earth24But you are merciful to all, because you can do all, and you dismiss the sins of man because of repentance25For you love all things that are, and you hate nothing of the things you have made; for you would not have created or established anything that you hated26For how could anything endure, except by your will? Or what, having been called by you not to exist, would be preserved27Yet you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord, who loves souls
2 Thessalonians
11Because of this, too, we pray always for you, so that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may complete every act of his goodness, as well as his work of faith in virtue12in order that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, in accord with the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Luke
1And having entered, he walked through Jericho2And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. And he was the leader of the tax collectors, and he was wealthy3And he sought to see Jesus, to see who he was. But he was unable to do so, because of the crowd, for he was small in stature4And running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree, so that he might see him. For he was to pass near there5And when he had arrived at the place, Jesus looked up and saw him, and he said to him: "Zacchaeus, hurry down. For today, I should lodge in your house.6And hurrying, he came down, and he received him joyfully7And when they all saw this, they murmured, saying that he had turned aside to a sinful man8But Zacchaeus, standing still, said to the Lord: "Behold, Lord, one half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone in any matter, I will repay him fourfold.9Jesus said to him: "Today, salvation has come to this house; because of this, he too is a son of Abraham10For the Son of man has come to seek and to save what had been lost.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of God's mercy, the call to virtuous living, and the transformative power of encountering Christ. The Book of Wisdom reminds us of God's boundless love and mercy, emphasizing that He loves all creation and desires our repentance. This passage invites us to reflect on God's justice and compassion, encouraging us to seek His forgiveness and live in harmony with His will.
The Second Letter to the Thessalonians addresses the community's concerns about the Second Coming of the Lord. St. Paul urges the faithful not to be swayed by false claims but to remain steadfast in their faith and virtue. This reading calls us to patience and trust in God's plan, reminding us that our actions should reflect our belief in Christ's eventual triumph.
The Gospel of Luke presents Zacchaeus, a tax collector whose life is transformed by his encounter with Jesus. Despite his sinful past, Zacchaeus's openness to Christ leads him to a life of generosity and justice. This story illustrates that true conversion involves a change of heart and actions that reflect our commitment to living as disciples of Christ.
These readings remind us that our daily lives should be marked by a deep trust in God's providence and a willingness to respond to His grace. Just as Zacchaeus was transformed by his encounter with Jesus, we too can experience conversion in our own lives. Let us embrace God's mercy, live with faith and virtue, and be open to the transformative power of His love. In doing so, we become instruments of His grace, bringing hope and light to a world in need.