Daily Readings - Thu Oct 12 2023

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

In today's readings, we encounter two profound messages that guide us in our faith journey. The first reading from Malachi addresses a community grappling with doubt, feeling that their devotion to God yields no visible reward. They observe the prosperity of the wicked and question the value of their own faith. Malachi reassures them that God is attentive and will ultimately bring justice, distinguishing the righteous from the impious. The imagery of a refining fire and the rising Sun of justice underscores the promise of deliverance and the triumph of righteousness. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching on the power of persistent prayer. Through the parable of the midnight request, Jesus illustrates that even when faced with reluctance, perseverance in prayer yields results. He extends this lesson to the goodness of the Father, emphasizing that if earthly fathers can give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father bestow the Holy Spirit on those who ask. This teaching instills trust in God's responsiveness and encourages unwavering faith. Both readings converge on the themes of trust and perseverance. Malachi urges patience, trusting in God's justice despite current injustices. Luke's Gospel complements this by highlighting the importance of persistent prayer, trusting in God's loving nature. Together, they remind us to remain steadfast in our faith, confident that God's justice will prevail and that our prayers are heard. In our daily lives, let us embrace this trust, knowing that our perseverance in prayer and faith will lead us to experience God's justice and goodness.