Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 23, 2020
First Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.3Who shall ascend the hill of the LORD? And who shall stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and righteousness from the God of his salvation.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty in battle!9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory! Selah
Gospel: Luke 12.54-59
54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens.55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens.56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?58As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The First Reading from Ephesians 4:1-6 encourages us to live with humility, meekness, and patience, striving for unity in the Spirit. It reminds us that we are one body in Christ, called to maintain harmony within our community. The Gospel from Luke 12:54-59 challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to settle our conflicts promptly, warning us against hypocrisy and the consequences of failing to do so.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their faith, emphasizing unity and the oneness of the body of Christ. Luke's passage is part of Jesus' teachings, preparing his disciples to be vigilant and discerning, urging them to resolve conflicts before it's too late. Both readings, while different in focus, share a common theme of spiritual awareness and harmonious living.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and patience in our interactions, working towards unity in our communities. We must also be discerning, recognizing the need to live according to God's will and to resolve conflicts swiftly. The moral lesson here is the importance of living in harmony with others and being spiritually proactive. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these values, ensuring our actions reflect our faith and our commitment to living as one in Christ.