Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 14, 2023

First Reading: Joel 3.12-21

¹²Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.¹³Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.¹⁴Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.¹⁵The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.¹⁶The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.¹⁷"So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it.¹⁸"And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim.¹⁹"Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.²⁰But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations.²¹I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion."

Psalm 97

Psalms

Chapter 97

¹The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice; let the many coastlands be glad!²Clouds and thick darkness are all around him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.³Fire goes before him and burns up his adversaries all around.⁴His lightnings light up the world; the earth sees and trembles.⁵The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.⁶The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.⁷All worshipers of images are put to shame, who make their boast in worthless idols; worship him, all you gods!⁸Zion hears and is glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments, O LORD.⁹For you, O LORD, are most high over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.¹⁰O you who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of the wicked.¹¹Light is sown for the righteous, and joy for the upright in heart.¹²Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous, and give thanks to his holy name!

Gospel: Luke 11.27-28

Luke

Chapter 11

²⁷As he said these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!"²⁸But he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!"

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about God's judgment, restoration, and the path to true blessedness. The First Reading from Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of reckoning where nations are judged in the valley of Jehoshaphat. Joel's prophecy is both a warning and a promise—while there is desolation for the unrepentant, there is also restoration for Judah, with imagery of abundance and a fountain from the Lord's house bringing life to the desert. This passage reminds us that God's justice is not just punitive but also restorative, offering hope to those who remain faithful. The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the living out of God's word. When a woman praises Jesus' mother, He responds by emphasizing that true blessedness comes not from physical connection but from hearing and keeping God's word. This teaching underscores the importance of obedience and faithfulness in our daily lives. Jesus is not diminishing the value of Mary's role but highlighting that spiritual blessedness surpasses physical ties. This message aligns with Joel's themes of judgment and restoration, as both readings call us to align our lives with God's will. As we reflect on these readings, we are invited to examine our own lives. Are we living according to God's word, preparing for His judgment, and trusting in His plan? The moral lesson here is clear: true blessedness is found in a life of faith and obedience. Let us strive to keep God's word close to our hearts, knowing that this path leads to restoration and eternal life. In doing so, we embody the hope and justice that Joel prophesied and the spiritual blessedness that Jesus taught.