Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 11, 2025
First Reading: Wisdom 2.23 – 3.9
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Psalm 34
1I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.3Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!4I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.5Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.6This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.8Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!9Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!10The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.11Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.12What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.14Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.15The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.16The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.17When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.18The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.19Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.21Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.22The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.
Gospel: Luke 17.7-10
7"Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and recline at table'?8Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink'?9Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded?10So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'"
Sermon
The first reading from the Book of Wisdom reminds us that God created humanity for immortality, fashioned in His own image. However, death entered the world through the envy of the devil. Despite this, the souls of the just remain in God’s hands, untouched by death’s torment. To the foolish, the righteous may seem to die or suffer, but in truth, they are at peace, tested and refined like gold in a furnace. They will shine in the time of God’s visitation and judge the nations, reigning with the Lord forever. This passage assures us that those who trust in God and remain faithful will understand the truth and find rest in His love.
The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a servant and his master. Jesus asks if a master would immediately welcome a servant who has just finished working in the field to sit and eat. He points out that the master would instead expect the servant to prepare dinner and serve first. Jesus then applies this to our relationship with God: when we have done all that we are commanded, we should not expect praise but rather humbly acknowledge that we have only done our duty. This teaching emphasizes the virtue of humility and the recognition that our service to God and others is not for earthly reward but out of love and obedience.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our attitude toward suffering and service. The Book of Wisdom encourages us to trust in God’s plan, even in the face of suffering, knowing that our ultimate peace and glory are in Him. The Gospel calls us to embrace humility, recognizing that our efforts to live according to God’s will are not for our own glory but as a response to His grace. In daily life, this means accepting challenges with faith, serving others without seeking recognition, and finding joy in doing God’s will. Let us strive to live as “useless servants,” humbly trusting in God’s love and providence.