Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 17, 2018
First Reading: Galatians 5.18-25
18But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.19Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,20Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,21Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.25If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Psalm 1
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.3And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.4The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.5Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Gospel: Luke 11.42-46
42But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.43Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye love the uppermost seats in the synagogues, and greetings in the markets.44Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are as graves which appear not, and the men that walk over them are not aware of them.45Then answered one of the lawyers, and said unto him, Master, thus saying thou reproachest us also.46And he said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! for ye lade men with burdens grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of true spirituality and the dangers of hypocrisy. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul contrasts the "works of the flesh" with the "fruits of the Spirit." He warns that living by our selfish desires—such as jealousy, envy, and hostility—can separate us from God. On the other hand, when we allow the Spirit to guide us, we bear fruits like charity, joy, peace, and patience. This passage reminds us that our actions and attitudes reveal whether we are living in harmony with God’s will.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the Pharisees, criticizing their obsession with outward appearances of piety while neglecting the deeper demands of justice and love. He condemns their love for prestige and their failure to recognize the weight of their own hypocrisy. Jesus’ words are a stark reminder that true faith cannot be reduced to rituals or external displays; it must transform our hearts and actions. The Pharisees’ error was focusing on what others saw rather than cultivating an authentic relationship with God.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives. Are we living by the Spirit, allowing God’s grace to shape our thoughts and actions, or are we caught up in superficial religiosity? Do we prioritize love, kindness, and humility, or do we seek recognition and status? Jesus and St. Paul call us to a deeper, more authentic faith—one that is not about appearances but about living in accordance with God’s will. Let us strive to bear the fruits of the Spirit and avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy, remembering that true holiness is about the heart, not just the outward show.