Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 19, 2019
First Reading: Romans 4.13, 16-18
13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Psalm 105
1Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!2Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!5Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,6O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,10which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,11saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance."12When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,13wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,14he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,15saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"16When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread,17he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.18His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;19until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.20The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;21he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,22to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.24And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.25He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.26He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.29He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.30Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.33He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number,35which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.36He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.37Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.38Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.39He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.40They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.44And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 12.8-12
8"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,9but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.11And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the power of faith and the trust we place in God’s promises. The first reading from Romans reminds us of Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promise, even when all human hope seemed lost. Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith, not his observance of the law, was the foundation of his relationship with God. This faith was so strong that it brought life to what was barren and gave existence to what did not exist. Abraham’s story teaches us that God’s promises are not limited by human limitations but are fulfilled through trust in His divine plan.
The Gospel reading from Luke complements this theme by highlighting the importance of confessing our faith in Jesus boldly. Jesus assures us that if we acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge us before the angels of God. However, this passage also warns us about the gravity of rejecting the Holy Spirit, the source of truth and guidance. When we face challenges or persecutions, we are reminded not to rely on our own strength but to trust in the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in our words and actions. This teaching calls us to live with courage and fidelity, knowing that God is always with us.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and trust in God. Like Abraham, we are called to believe beyond what we can see or understand, trusting that God’s promises are always at work in our lives. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we are invited to profess our faith boldly, even in uncertain times, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom. Let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust in God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult? May we, like Abraham, become fathers and mothers of faith, trusting in the God who brings life out of nothing and who guides us through the Holy Spirit.