Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 8, 2021
First Reading: Wisdom 1.1-7
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Psalm 139
1O LORD, you have searched me and known me!2You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.3You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.4Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.5You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.7Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence?8If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!9If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,10even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.11If I say, "Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light about me be night,"12even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is bright as the day, for darkness is as light with you.13For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.14I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.15My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.16Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there were none of them.17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.19Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God! O men of blood, depart from me!20They speak against you with malicious intent; your enemies take your name in vain!21Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?22I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.23Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!24And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
Gospel: Luke 17.1-6
1And he said to his disciples, "Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!2It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.3Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,4and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him."5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"6And the Lord said, "If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of a virtuous life and the power of faith. The first reading from Wisdom encourages us to seek God with a pure heart, emphasizing justice and simplicity. It warns that wisdom eludes those consumed by malice and sin, highlighting the importance of living a life aligned with divine values. The Gospel from Luke complements this by focusing on the responsibilities of discipleship, urging us to avoid causing scandals and to embrace forgiveness, even when it is challenging. Jesus underscores the transformative power of faith, comparing it to a mustard seed capable of moving mountains.
These readings are contextually rich. Wisdom, part of the deuterocanonical literature, was written to inspire fidelity among the Jewish community, while Luke's Gospel captures Jesus' teachings on communal living and discipleship. Together, they emphasize the interconnectedness of virtue and faith. The first reading sets the stage by highlighting the need for purity and justice, which aligns with Jesus' teachings on avoiding scandal and practicing forgiveness. This connection underscores the importance of living a life that reflects our faith in action.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to integrity and mindfulness. We must avoid actions that could lead others astray and embrace forgiveness as a cornerstone of our relationships. Even a small amount of faith can have a profound impact, empowering us to overcome challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: living with integrity, avoiding sin, and cultivating faith and forgiveness are essential for a healthy spiritual life and community. Let us strive to embody these teachings, allowing our faith to guide us in living justly and seeking God with simplicity.