Daily Readings - Fri Oct 24 2025
Romans
18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.21I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Luke
54And he said also to the people, When ye see a cloud rise out of the west, straightway ye say, There cometh a shower; and so it is.55And when ye see the south wind blow, ye say, There will be heat; and it cometh to pass.56Ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky and of the earth; but how is it that ye do not discern this time?57Yea, and why even of yourselves judge ye not what is right?58When thou goest with thine adversary to the magistrate, as thou art in the way, give diligence that thou mayest be delivered from him; lest he hale thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and the officer cast thee into prison.59I tell thee, thou shalt not depart thence, till thou hast paid the very last mite.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two profound reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans 7:18-25a presents St. Paul’s deeply personal struggle with sin and his desire to do good. He confesses that despite his best intentions, he often finds himself doing the opposite of what he wants. This internal conflict reveals the universal human experience of being torn between good and evil. Paul ultimately finds hope in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, acknowledging that true freedom from sin comes only through Him.
The Gospel from Luke 12:54-59 shifts our focus from the internal struggle to the external signs of the times. Jesus criticizes the hypocrisy of those who can predict the weather but fail to recognize the spiritual signs around them. He urges them to discern the moment and settle their affairs before it is too late, using the parable of a man on his way to court. This teaching calls us to live with awareness and responsibility, recognizing that our choices have consequences and that true wisdom lies in seeking justice and reconciliation.
Both readings invite us to reflect on our own lives. Like Paul, we often struggle with our weaknesses and failures, but we are reminded that God’s grace is always available to us. Like the crowd in the Gospel, we are called to be attentive to the signs of our times and to live with integrity and discernment. Let us ask ourselves: Are we aware of the spiritual battles within us? Are we attentive to the ways we can grow closer to God and live more justly? Let us turn to God with humility, acknowledging our need for His help, and strive to live in a way that reflects His love and truth.