Daily Readings - Mon Oct 13 2025
Romans
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:7To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke
29And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, revelation, and the human response to God’s Word. The first reading from Romans introduces us to St. Paul, who describes himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and an Apostle set apart for the Gospel. He emphasizes that the Gospel is not a new invention but the fulfillment of God’s promises made through the prophets, centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul also highlights the universal call to faith, addressing the Romans as “beloved of God” and “called to be saints,” reminding us of our shared dignity and vocation as followers of Christ.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus addressing a crowd that seeks a sign, only to be met with a stern rebuke. Jesus declares that no sign will be given to this “wicked generation” except the sign of Jonah, which prefigured His own death and resurrection. He then contrasts this generation with the people of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah’s preaching, and the queen of the South, who traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus’ words challenge us to reflect on how we respond to the presence of God in our lives. While the people of Nineveh and the queen of the South recognized the gravity of the moment and acted with faith, this generation often remains indifferent or skeptical, even though “something greater than Jonah” and “greater than Solomon” is here among us.
These readings invite us to examine our own faith and response to God’s revelation. Paul’s letter reminds us that the Gospel is a gift of grace, not something we deserve, and that we are called to live as saints, set apart for God’s purposes. Jesus’ words in the Gospel call us to humility and repentance, urging us to recognize the signs of God’s presence already at work in our lives. In a world that often seeks spectacle or proof, we are called to trust in the quiet, enduring power of God’s Word and to live as children of light, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel in our daily lives. Let us ask ourselves: Do we, like the queen of the South, seek wisdom with perseverance? Do we, like the people of Nineveh, repent and turn to God when we hear His Word? May we respond to the grace of God with faith, obedience, and a willingness to follow Him wholeheartedly.