Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 27, 2022
First Reading: Ephesians 6.10-20
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Psalm 144
1Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle;2he is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.3O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him?4Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.5Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down! Touch the mountains so that they smoke!6Flash forth the lightning and scatter them; send out your arrows and rout them!7Stretch out your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me from the many waters, from the hand of foreigners,8whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.9I will sing a new song to you, O God; upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,10who gives victory to kings, who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.11Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.12May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;13may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;14may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!15Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall! Blessed are the people whose God is the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 13.31-35
31At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, "Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you."32And he said to them, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I finish my course.33Nevertheless, I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the day following, for it cannot be that a prophet should perish away from Jerusalem.'34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!35Behold, your house is forsaken. And I tell you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!'"
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of spiritual struggle and the call to perseverance in living out our faith. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul urges the early Christians to be strengthened in the Lord and to put on the armor of God. This armor—truth, justice, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—is not for physical battle but for the spiritual warfare we face daily. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness, and only by being clothed in God’s armor can we withstand these forces and remain faithful.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ warning that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus’ reply is both defiant and sorrowful. He declares that he will continue his mission of casting out demons and healing, undeterred by threats, for he knows his time is limited. His lament over Jerusalem reveals his deep love for the city and its people, even as they reject him. Jesus’ words remind us that following him requires courage and perseverance, even in the face of opposition. Like the armor of God in Ephesians, Jesus’ determination to fulfill his mission shows us how to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God’s plan even when the path is difficult.
These readings call us to embrace our own spiritual battles with courage and trust in God. Like the early Christians, we must put on the armor of God daily—praying, living justly, and clinging to the Word of God. Like Jesus, we must remain faithful to our mission, even when faced with challenges or rejection. Let us ask for the grace to stand firm in our faith, to trust in God’s providence, and to love others with the same selfless love that Jesus showed, even to those who do not accept him. May we, like Jesus, be willing to endure the cross for the sake of the Gospel, knowing that it leads to resurrection and eternal life.