Daily Readings - Thu Oct 10 2019
Malachi
13Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee?14Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts?15And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.16Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.17And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.18Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
1For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
Luke
5And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;6For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?7And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.8I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.9And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.10For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.11If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?12Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?13If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, persistence, and the relationship between God and his people. In the first reading from Malachi, we hear a prophetic message that contrasts the fate of the just and the impious. The prophet warns of a day when the arrogant and those who act impiously will face judgment, while those who fear the Lord and remain faithful will be spared and experience the Sun of Justice rising in their lives. This passage emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in our commitment to God, even when it seems difficult or when others around us have abandoned their faith.
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the power of persistence in prayer through the parable of the friend who knocks repeatedly at midnight. He assures us that even when our prayers seem unanswered, God, unlike the reluctant friend, is a loving Father who desires to give us good things. Jesus reminds us that if even sinful humans know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. This teaching encourages us to approach God with confidence and perseverance, trusting in his goodness and love.
These readings remind us that faith is not a passive state but an active engagement with God. In a world that often seems indifferent or even hostile to our beliefs, we are called to remain faithful, just as the just in Malachi’s prophecy. At the same time, we are invited to deepen our prayer lives, knocking on God’s door with persistence, knowing that he hears us and desires to give us the gifts we need. Let us take these lessons to heart and strive to live with unwavering faith and trust in God’s providence.