Daily Readings - Thu Oct 12 2023
Malachi
13Your words have gathered strength over me, says the Lord14And you have said, "What have we spoken against you?" You have said, "He labors in vain who serves God," and, "What advantage is it that we have kept his precepts, and that we have walked sorrowfully in the sight of the Lord of hosts15Therefore, we now call the arrogant blessed, as if those who work impiety have been built up, and as if they have tempted God and been saved.16Then those who fear the Lord spoke, each one with his neighbor. And the Lord paid attention and heeded. And a book of remembrance was written in his sight, for those who fear the Lord and for those who consider his name17And they will be my special possession, says the Lord of hosts, on the day that I act. And I will spare them, just as a man spares his son who serves him18And you shall be converted, and you will see the difference between the just and the impious, and between those who serve God and those who do not serve him
1For, behold, the day will arrive, kindled like a furnace, and all the arrogant and all those who act impiously will be stubble. And the approaching day will inflame them, says the Lord of hosts; it will leave behind for them neither root, nor sprout2But unto you, who fear my name, the Sun of justice will arise, and health will be in his wings. And you will go forth and leap like the calves of the herd
Luke
5And he said to them: "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves6because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I do not have anything to set before him.7And from within, he would answer by saying: ‘Do not disturb me. The door is closed now, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.8Yet if he will persevere in knocking, I tell you that, even though he would not get up and give it to him because he is a friend, yet due to his continued insistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs9And so I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you10For everyone who asks, receives. And whoever seeks, finds. And whoever knocks, it shall be opened to him11So then, who among you, if he asks his father for bread, he would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he would give him a serpent, instead of a fish12Or if he will ask for an egg, he would offer to him a scorpion13Therefore, if you, being evil, know how to give good things to your sons, how much more will your Father give, from heaven, a spirit of goodness to those who ask him?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Malachi addresses a community grappling with doubt, feeling that their devotion to God yields no visible reward. They observe the prosperity of the wicked and question the value of their own faith. Malachi reassures them that God is attentive and will ultimately bring justice, distinguishing the righteous from the impious. The imagery of a refining fire and the rising Sun of justice underscores the promise of deliverance and the triumph of righteousness.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching on the power of persistent prayer. Through the parable of the midnight request, Jesus illustrates that even when faced with reluctance, perseverance in prayer yields results. He extends this lesson to the goodness of the Father, emphasizing that if earthly fathers can give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father bestow the Holy Spirit on those who ask. This teaching instills trust in God's responsiveness and encourages unwavering faith.
Both readings converge on the themes of trust and perseverance. Malachi urges patience, trusting in God's justice despite current injustices. Luke's Gospel complements this by highlighting the importance of persistent prayer, trusting in God's loving nature. Together, they remind us to remain steadfast in our faith, confident that God's justice will prevail and that our prayers are heard. In our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, knowing that our perseverance in prayer and faith will lead us to experience God's justice and goodness.