Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 23, 2018
First Reading: Ephesians 2.12-22
12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility15by abolishing the law of commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,21in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.22In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Psalm 85
1LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.2You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah3You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.4Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us!5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?7Show us your steadfast love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.8Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly.9Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.10Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.11Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.12Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase.13Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way.
Gospel: Luke 12.35-38
35"Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning,36and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.37Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.38If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the profound unity and purpose that Christ brings into our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul speaks of a time when Gentiles were far from God, without hope or a covenant. But through Christ, this division was bridged, and all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—were united into one body. Christ’s sacrifice destroyed the walls of hostility and made us citizens of God’s household, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes that our faith is not just individual but communal; we are part of a living temple where God dwells.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a parable about vigilant servants waiting for their master’s return. Jesus urges us to be prepared, with our “lamps burning” and our “waists girded,” ready to open the door promptly when he comes. The servants who are found watchful and faithful are blessed, and the master himself will serve them. This teaching calls us to live with a sense of expectation and readiness, not out of fear, but out of love and fidelity. It reminds us that our lives are not our own; we are called to be attentive and faithful stewards of the gifts and responsibilities God has entrusted to us.
These readings are deeply connected. The unity and peace Christ brings, as described in Ephesians, are the foundation for the vigilant and purposeful living encouraged in Luke. To live as children of God, united in Christ, means embracing a life of readiness and service. We are called to be alert to God’s presence in our lives and to use our time and talents wisely, knowing that we are part of a larger household. May we strive to live with gratitude for the unity Christ has given us and with the faithfulness and vigilance that reflects our hope in him.