Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 30, 2024
First Reading: Ephesians 6.1-9
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.2"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise),3"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
Psalm 145
1I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever.2Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever.3Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness is unsearchable.4One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.5On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.6They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness.7They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.8The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.9The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.10All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you!11They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,12to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom.13Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.]14The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.15The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season.16You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing.17The LORD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.18The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.19He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them.20The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.21My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD, and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.
Gospel: Luke 13.22-30
22He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem.23And someone said to him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,24"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.25When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.'26Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.'27But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!'28In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.29And people will come from east and west, and from north and south, and recline at table in the kingdom of God.30And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are presented with two distinct yet interconnected messages about living a life aligned with God’s will. The first reading from Ephesians offers guidance on relationships within the household, emphasizing mutual respect and fairness. It reminds us that our roles as parents, children, servants, and masters are not just earthly duties but opportunities to reflect God’s love and justice. The Gospel from Luke, however, shifts our focus to the urgency of salvation. Jesus speaks of the narrow gate, warning that many will attempt to enter the kingdom of God but will fail, not because they lacked knowledge, but because they did not live according to God’s will.
The context of Ephesians is rooted in the early Christian community, providing a blueprint for harmonious living. It encourages believers to embrace their roles with integrity, ensuring that fairness and compassion guide their interactions. In contrast, Luke’s passage captures Jesus during his journey to Jerusalem, where he teaches about the kingdom’s inclusivity and the criteria for entry. Both readings, while addressing different aspects of life, converge on the theme of living intentionally—whether in our daily relationships or in our spiritual journey.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are reminded to conduct ourselves with integrity in all relationships, treating others with the respect and fairness that God expects. From Luke, we learn that our spiritual state requires more than superficial devotion; it demands a life of obedience and love. The moral lesson here is clear: our actions have eternal consequences. Being a Christian is not merely about outward appearances but about living a life that truly reflects Christ’s teachings. We must examine our hearts and ensure our actions align with God’s will, striving to enter the narrow gate with sincerity and dedication.