Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 13, 2018
First Reading: Galatians 3.22-29
22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.23But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.24Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.27For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Psalm 105
1O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.2Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.3Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.4Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.5Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;6O ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.7He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.8He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.9Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;10And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:11Saying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:12When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.13When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;14He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;15Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.16Moreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.17He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:18Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:19Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.20The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.21He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:22To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.23Israel also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.24And he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.25He turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.26He sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.27They shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.28He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.29He turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.30Their land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.31He spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.32He gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.33He smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.34He spake, and the locusts came, and caterpillers, and that without number,35And did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.36He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.37He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.38Egypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.39He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.40The people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.41He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.42For he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.43And he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:44And gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;45That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 11.27-28
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, identity, and the unity that comes from following Christ. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all united as children of God, transcending the divisions of this world. Paul emphasizes that the law was a guardian until faith arrived, but now, in Christ, we are free to live as heirs of God’s promise. The second reading from Luke offers a moment of profound teaching when Jesus shifts the focus from bodily ties to spiritual ones. A woman praises Mary, the mother of Jesus, but Christ responds by blessing those who hear and keep the word of God. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on what it means to live as people of faith, united in Christ and committed to living out His teachings.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the early Christian community’s struggle to understand its identity. In Galatians, Paul is addressing a church torn between Jewish and Gentile believers, reminding them that their unity comes not from the law or human distinctions but from their shared faith in Christ. In Luke, Jesus is teaching in a public setting, and His response to the woman challenges His listeners to move beyond superficial devotion to a deeper, transformative relationship with God. Both readings call us to recognize that our true identity and purpose are found in Christ, not in the world’s categories or external observances.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded that faith is not just a belief but a way of life. Just as the law was a guardian until faith came, so too must we allow our faith to guide us in living according to God’s will. Like the woman in Luke, we may be tempted to focus on the outward signs of faith, but Jesus calls us to something deeper: hearing and keeping His word. This means living with integrity, compassion, and love, even in the face of challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: our unity as children of God and our commitment to living out the Gospel are the true measures of our faith. Let us strive to embrace this unity and to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of Christ in our lives.