Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 4, 2018
First Reading: Job 19.21-27
21Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me!22Why do you, like God, pursue me? Why are you not satisfied with my flesh?23"Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!24Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever!25For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,27whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!
Psalm 27
1The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?2When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.3Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.4One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.7Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!8You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, LORD, do I seek."9Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!10For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in.11Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.12Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!14Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 10.1-12
1After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.2And he said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.3Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.4Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road.5Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house!'6And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.7And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house.8Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you.9Heal the sick in it and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'10But whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go into its streets and say,11'Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.'12I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on faith, trust, and the call to mission. In the first reading from Job, we encounter a man deeply afflicted, yet unwavering in his belief in God’s justice and redemption. Job cries out for compassion from his friends, but more importantly, he expresses his unshakable hope in his Redeemer, who will one day raise him from the earth. This passage reminds us that even in the midst of suffering, faith can sustain us and lead us to trust in God’s ultimate plan.
In the Gospel, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to prepare the way for his coming. He instructs them to go forth with simplicity, trusting in God’s providence rather than relying on material possessions or worldly comforts. They are to bring peace, healing, and the message of the kingdom of God. This mission is not without challenge, as Jesus warns them of rejection, but he assures them that their efforts are not in vain. The kingdom of God will draw near, and even in rejection, the message of salvation remains.
These readings are deeply connected. Job’s faith in the midst of suffering mirrors the trust required of the disciples as they embark on their mission. Both remind us that following God’s will often involves embracing uncertainty and hardship. In our daily lives, we are called to be like Job, holding fast to hope even when circumstances seem overwhelming. We are also called to be like the disciples, sharing the Good News of God’s love with courage and simplicity. Let us ask ourselves: Do we trust in God’s plan for us? Are we willing to step out in faith, even when the path is uncertain? May we find strength in the example of Job and the mission of the disciples, and may we live each day with hope and purpose, knowing that God’s kingdom is near.