Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 16, 2019
First Reading: Wisdom 18.14-16; 19.6-9
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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 18.1-8
1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;2Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:3And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.4And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;5Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.6And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.7And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?8I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of trust, perseverance, and God’s faithfulness. In the first reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear a poetic description of God’s power and intervention in history. The passage recounts how God’s word, like a warrior, descended to rescue His people, transforming creation itself to lead them to safety. The Red Sea parts, and the deep becomes a level field, symbolizing God’s ability to make a way where there seems to be none. This reading reminds us of the Exodus story, a central narrative of salvation in the Bible, and it underscores God’s commitment to His people, even in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Gospel from Luke presents a very different scene: a parable about a persistent widow and an unjust judge. Jesus tells this story to emphasize the importance of prayer and perseverance. The judge, who neither fears God nor respects people, is moved to act only because the widow’s relentless pleas wear him down. Jesus contrasts this with God, who is just and loving, promising that He will quickly vindicate those who cry out to Him. Yet, Jesus ends with a haunting question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” This challenges us to examine our own trust in God’s timing and His plan for our lives.
These readings are connected by the thread of trust and perseverance. The first reading shows us God’s faithfulness in delivering His people, while the Gospel urges us to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that God will act. Together, they remind us that faith is not about immediate results but about enduring confidence in God’s love and justice. In our daily lives, we often face challenges that seem insurmountable, but these readings encourage us to pray without ceasing, knowing that God hears us and will act in His time. Let us take heart in the knowledge that our persistence in prayer is not in vain, for God is always near to those who call upon Him. May we, like the widow, persevere in faith, trusting that the Lord will bring justice and peace to our lives and to the world.