Daily Readings - Sat Oct 05 2019
Luke
17The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!"18And he said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.20Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."21In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.22All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."23Then turning to the disciples he said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see!24For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the interplay between sorrow, repentance, and the ultimate hope of salvation. In the first reading from Baruch, Jerusalem mourns the exile of her children, lamenting their suffering as a result of their sins. She acknowledges that their estrangement from God has brought about their captivity, yet she encourages her children to remain peaceful and to call out to the Lord, trusting in his mercy and the promise of restoration. This passage reminds us that while sin and rebellion can lead to darkness, God’s love and forgiveness are always available to those who return to him.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to his disciples after their successful mission, cautioning them not to rejoice merely in their power over evil spirits but to find true joy in the fact that their names are written in heaven. He emphasizes the Father’s delight in revealing divine truths to the humble and the “little ones,” rather than to the wise and powerful. This teaching underscores the importance of humility and trust in God’s plan, rather than relying on human strength or accomplishments.
Together, these readings remind us that our true strength and joy come not from our own efforts or victories, but from our relationship with God. Like the exiles in Baruch, we are called to acknowledge our sins and return to the Lord with humility. Like the disciples in Luke, we are invited to trust in God’s plan and to find our ultimate happiness in the knowledge that we belong to him. Let us, therefore, approach each day with a contrite heart, seeking to deepen our union with God and to live in accordance with his will.