Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 28, 2019
First Reading: Ephesians 2.19-22
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 19
1The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.2Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge.3There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard.4Their measuring line goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun,5which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.6Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them, and there is nothing hidden from its heat.7The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;8the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;9the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether.10More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.11Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.12Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults.13Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.14Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
Gospel: Luke 6.12-19
12In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.13And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles:14Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew,15and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot,16and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.17And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,18who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured.19And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of our profound identity as believers. The Epistle to the Ephesians describes us as citizens in God's household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and collective role as a holy temple where God dwells. In the Gospel, Luke recounts Jesus prayerfully selecting the Twelve Apostles, forming a community that would carry His mission forward. This act is followed by Jesus healing many, demonstrating His divine power and compassion.
These readings highlight the importance of community and our place within it. Ephesians underscores our collective identity as a spiritual temple, while Luke illustrates the formation of a community through the Apostles. Together, they show that our faith is not solitary but lived within a body of believers, each contributing to the whole. Just as the Apostles were chosen to continue Jesus' work, we too are called to participate in God's plan.
In our daily lives, this means recognizing our role within the larger Christian community. We are called to support one another and be instruments of God's healing and love. As we go about our days, we should embrace our responsibility to contribute to the spiritual temple, whether through acts of kindness, prayer, or service. Let us live with the awareness that we are part of something greater, and may we be open to God's work through us, just as Jesus empowered the Apostles to spread His message.