Daily Readings - Thu Oct 09 2025
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 are invited to reflect on themes of faithfulness, perseverance, and trust in God's providence. The first reading from Malachi addresses a community that has grown complacent in their faith, questioning the value of serving God when the wicked seem to prosper. Malachi reassures the faithful that their perseverance will be rewarded, while the arrogant will face judgment. This prophetic message reminds us that our commitment to God, even in challenging times, is ultimately worthwhile.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message with the parable of the persistent friend. Jesus teaches us about the importance of perseverance in prayer, using the example of a neighbor who, though initially reluctant, eventually responds to persistent knocking. This parable encourages us to trust in God's goodness and to pray with confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father will provide for us in ways far greater than any human parent could.
These readings remind us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when the world around us seems unjust or when our prayers go unanswered for a time. They call us to trust in God's timing and to persevere in our spiritual journey. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, let us find strength in the promise that our persistence in prayer and our commitment to living justly will ultimately be rewarded. May we continue to seek, knock, and ask with faith, knowing that God's love and provision are always at work in our lives.