Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 6, 2017
First Reading: Baruch 1.15-22
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Psalm 79
1O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.2The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the heaven, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth.3Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem; and there was none to bury them.4We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us.5How long, LORD? wilt thou be angry for ever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire?6Pour out thy wrath upon the heathen that have not known thee, and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon thy name.7For they have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling place.8O remember not against us former iniquities: let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us: for we are brought very low.9Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake.10Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed.11Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die;12And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord.13So we thy people and sheep of thy pasture will give thee thanks for ever: we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.
Gospel: Luke 10.13-16
13Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.15And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.16He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a profound reflection on sin, repentance, and the justice of God. The first reading from Baruch is a confession of sin on behalf of the people of Israel, acknowledging their unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. The passage expresses deep regret for turning away from the Lord and failing to follow His commandments, recognizing that their suffering is a consequence of their sins. This is not merely an admission of wrongdoing but a humble acceptance of responsibility, a necessary step toward healing and reconciliation.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks words of lament over the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities had witnessed mighty works and miracles, yet they failed to repent and turn to God. Jesus’ sorrow is palpable as He contrasts their hardness of heart with the readiness of the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon to repent if given the same opportunities. This passage serves as a stark reminder that receiving God’s grace and mercy brings with it a responsibility to respond with faith and conversion.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives and our response to God’s presence in the world. Like the Israelites in Baruch, we must acknowledge our sins and humbly seek forgiveness. Like the cities in Luke’s Gospel, we must not take God’s blessings for granted but instead allow His grace to transform our hearts and lives. The moral lesson is clear: true faith is not merely about knowing God’s word but living it out in obedience, humility, and repentance. Let us strive to be people who hear God’s voice and respond with open hearts, lest we too fall into the trap of spiritual complacency and hardness of heart.