Daily Readings - Thu Oct 12 2023
Malachi
13"Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, 'How have we spoken against you?'14You have said, 'It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts?15And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.'"16Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.17"They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.18Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
1"For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.2But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.
Luke
5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Malachi addresses a community grappling with doubt, feeling that their devotion to God yields no visible reward. They observe the prosperity of the wicked and question the value of their own faith. Malachi reassures them that God is attentive and will ultimately bring justice, distinguishing the righteous from the impious. The imagery of a refining fire and the rising Sun of justice underscores the promise of deliverance and the triumph of righteousness.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching on the power of persistent prayer. Through the parable of the midnight request, Jesus illustrates that even when faced with reluctance, perseverance in prayer yields results. He extends this lesson to the goodness of the Father, emphasizing that if earthly fathers can give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father bestow the Holy Spirit on those who ask. This teaching instills trust in God's responsiveness and encourages unwavering faith.
Both readings converge on the themes of trust and perseverance. Malachi urges patience, trusting in God's justice despite current injustices. Luke's Gospel complements this by highlighting the importance of persistent prayer, trusting in God's loving nature. Together, they remind us to remain steadfast in our faith, confident that God's justice will prevail and that our prayers are heard. In our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, knowing that our perseverance in prayer and faith will lead us to experience God's justice and goodness.