Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 3, 2017
First Reading: Romans 9.1-5
1I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--2that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.3For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.4They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.5To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
Psalm 147
1Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting.2The LORD builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.3He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.4He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.5Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.6The LORD lifts up the humble; he casts the wicked to the ground.7Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre!8He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills.9He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry.10His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,11but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.12Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!13For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.14He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat.15He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.16He gives snow like wool; he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.17He hurls down his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold?18He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow.19He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel.20He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 14.1-6
1One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully.2And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.3And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?"4But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away.5And he said to them, "Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?"6And they could not reply to these things.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter profound expressions of compassion and concern for others, inviting us to reflect on the balance between law and love in our lives. The first reading from Romans reveals Paul’s deep sorrow over his Jewish brothers who have not yet come to faith in Christ. His anguish is so great that he would willingly suffer separation from Christ for their sake, a testament to his boundless love and solidarity with his people. This passage highlights Paul’s understanding of his mission to the Gentiles while remaining deeply connected to his Jewish roots.
The Gospel from Luke presents a different yet complementary scenario. Jesus heals a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ rigid interpretation of the law. By comparing the healing to rescuing an animal that has fallen into a pit, Jesus emphasizes that compassion should never be confined by legalistic interpretations. This encounter underscores Jesus’ mission to bring wholeness to all people, regardless of circumstances.
Together, these readings remind us that our faith is not merely about rules but about embodying God’s love. Paul’s heartfelt concern and Jesus’ compassionate action call us to prioritize love and care for others in our daily lives. As we navigate our own challenges, let us remember to approach each situation with empathy and kindness, allowing God’s love to guide our actions. In doing so, we fulfill the essence of our faith, which is to love as God loves.