Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 15, 2025
First Reading: Wisdom 18.14-16; 19.6-9
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Psalm 105
1Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!2Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!3Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!4Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!5Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered,6O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!7He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth.8He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations,9the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac,10which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant,11saying, "To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance."12When they were few in number, of little account, and sojourners in it,13wandering from nation to nation, from one kingdom to another people,14he allowed no one to oppress them; he rebuked kings on their account,15saying, "Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!"16When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread,17he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave.18His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron;19until what he had said came to pass, the word of the LORD tested him.20The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free;21he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions,22to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom.23Then Israel came to Egypt; Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.24And the LORD made his people very fruitful and made them stronger than their foes.25He turned their hearts to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.26He sent Moses, his servant, and Aaron, whom he had chosen.27They performed his signs among them and miracles in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness, and made the land dark; they did not rebel against his words.29He turned their waters into blood and caused their fish to die.30Their land swarmed with frogs, even in the chambers of their kings.31He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, and gnats throughout their country.32He gave them hail for rain, and fiery lightning bolts through their land.33He struck down their vines and fig trees, and shattered the trees of their country.34He spoke, and the locusts came, young locusts without number,35which devoured all the vegetation in their land and ate up the fruit of their ground.36He struck down all the firstborn in their land, the firstfruits of all their strength.37Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, and there was none among his tribes who stumbled.38Egypt was glad when they departed, for dread of them had fallen upon it.39He spread a cloud for a covering, and fire to give light by night.40They asked, and he brought quail, and gave them bread from heaven in abundance.41He opened the rock, and water gushed out; it flowed through the desert like a river.42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham, his servant.43So he brought his people out with joy, his chosen ones with singing.44And he gave them the lands of the nations, and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples' toil,45that they might keep his statutes and observe his laws. Praise the LORD!
Gospel: Luke 18.1-8
1And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.2He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man.3And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'4For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man,5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"6And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.7And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them?8I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on God's providence and the efficacy of prayer. The first reading from the Book of Wisdom recounts the Exodus, where God's mighty hand parted the Red Sea, leading the Israelites to safety. This passage underscores God's active intervention in history, highlighting His might and love for His people. The imagery of a sharp sword and a fierce warrior emphasizes the transformative power of God's presence in the world.
The Gospel from Luke offers the parable of the persistent widow, teaching us about the importance of relentless prayer. Jesus uses this story to encourage believers to pray without ceasing, trusting in God's justice and love. The corrupt judge, who eventually yields to the widow's persistence, serves as a metaphor for God, who, unlike the judge, is always just and merciful. This parable is a call to faith and perseverance, reminding us that our prayers are heard and that God will act in His time.
These readings connect through the theme of trust in God's providence. The Exodus story is a historical testament to God's deliverance, while the parable inspires us to maintain faith in the face of challenges. In our daily lives, we are encouraged to emulate the persistence of the widow, trusting that God is always working for our good. Let us approach prayer with confidence, knowing that our Heavenly Father hears us and will bring about justice and peace in our lives. May we remain steadfast in our faith, trusting in God's plan and His loving presence in our lives.