Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 27, 2022
First Reading: Ephesians 6.10-20
10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;19And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,20For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Psalm 144
1Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:2My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.3LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!4Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.5Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.6Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.7Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;8Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.9I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.10It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.11Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:12That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:13That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:14That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.15Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
Gospel: Luke 13.31-35
31The same day there came certain of the Pharisees, saying unto him, Get thee out, and depart hence: for Herod will kill thee.32And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.33Nevertheless I must walk to day, and to morrow, and the day following: for it cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem.34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!35Behold, your house is left unto you desolate: and verily I say unto you, Ye shall not see me, until the time come when ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of spiritual struggle and the call to perseverance in living out our faith. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul urges the early Christians to be strengthened in the Lord and to put on the armor of God. This armor—truth, justice, faith, salvation, and the Word of God—is not for physical battle but for the spiritual warfare we face daily. Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of darkness, and only by being clothed in God’s armor can we withstand these forces and remain faithful.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to the Pharisees’ warning that Herod wants to kill him. Jesus’ reply is both defiant and sorrowful. He declares that he will continue his mission of casting out demons and healing, undeterred by threats, for he knows his time is limited. His lament over Jerusalem reveals his deep love for the city and its people, even as they reject him. Jesus’ words remind us that following him requires courage and perseverance, even in the face of opposition. Like the armor of God in Ephesians, Jesus’ determination to fulfill his mission shows us how to stand firm in our faith, trusting in God’s plan even when the path is difficult.
These readings call us to embrace our own spiritual battles with courage and trust in God. Like the early Christians, we must put on the armor of God daily—praying, living justly, and clinging to the Word of God. Like Jesus, we must remain faithful to our mission, even when faced with challenges or rejection. Let us ask for the grace to stand firm in our faith, to trust in God’s providence, and to love others with the same selfless love that Jesus showed, even to those who do not accept him. May we, like Jesus, be willing to endure the cross for the sake of the Gospel, knowing that it leads to resurrection and eternal life.