Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 13, 2023
First Reading: Joel 1.13-15; 2.1-2
13Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God.14Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of the LORD your God, and cry unto the LORD,15Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.
1Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand;2A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.
Psalm 9
1I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.2I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.3When mine enemies are turned back, they shall fall and perish at thy presence.4For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right.5Thou hast rebuked the heathen, thou hast destroyed the wicked, thou hast put out their name for ever and ever.6O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them.7But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.8And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.9The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.10And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.11Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings.12When he maketh inquisition for blood, he remembereth them: he forgetteth not the cry of the humble.13Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:14That I may shew forth all thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in thy salvation.15The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.16The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.18For the needy shall not alway be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.19Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in thy sight.20Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.
Gospel: Luke 11.15-26
15But some of them said, He casteth out devils through Beelzebub the chief of the devils.16And others, tempting him, sought of him a sign from heaven.17But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.18If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub.19And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out? therefore shall they be your judges.20But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you.21When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace:22But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils.23He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.24When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out.25And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished.26Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about spiritual conflict and the call to repentance. The first reading from Joel describes a time of crisis, urging the people to return to God through fasting and gathering. It warns of the Day of the Lord, a time of darkness and gloom, emphasizing the need for humility and repentance. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus facing accusations of using Satan's power, where He responds by highlighting the divided kingdom and the strength of God's kingdom. He also warns about the return of an unclean spirit, illustrating the dangers of superficial faith.
The context of Joel's prophecy likely addresses a period of disaster, such as a locust invasion, calling Israel to repentance and reminding them of their covenant with God. In Luke, Jesus confronts opposition, reflecting the spiritual conflict and misunderstanding of His mission. Both readings tie together themes of spiritual conflict and the necessity of genuine commitment to God.
Applying these teachings to our lives, we are encouraged to examine our spiritual state, repent, and align ourselves with God's kingdom. The readings warn against complacency and superficial faith, emphasizing the need for a strong spiritual foundation. The moral lesson is clear: genuine commitment to God is essential, as a lukewarm faith can lead to worse spiritual outcomes. Let us strive for a deep, unwavering faith, avoiding the pitfalls of spiritual shallowness and embracing the transformative power of God's kingdom.