Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 21, 2022
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 reminded of the importance of living in harmony with one another and being attentive to God’s presence in our lives. The first reading from Ephesians urges us to walk in a manner worthy of our Christian vocation, emphasizing humility, patience, and love. It calls us to preserve the unity of the Spirit, recognizing that we are one body with one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. This passage speaks to the early Christian community, encouraging them to live in a way that reflects their shared identity in Christ, despite their differences.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the present moment. Jesus criticizes the crowd for being able to interpret the signs of nature—like clouds and winds—but failing to discern the signs of the times. He then tells a parable about the importance of settling disputes before they escalate, warning that ignoring justice can lead to dire consequences. This teaching emphasizes the need for vigilance and responsibility in how we live our lives and interact with others.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in our daily lives. The Ephesians passage reminds us of the importance of unity and humility in our relationships, while the Gospel challenges us to be attentive to God’s presence and to act with integrity. May we strive to live in a way that reflects the unity of the Spirit and to discern God’s will in our lives, seeking justice and peace in all that we do.