Daily Readings - Fri Oct 31 2025
Romans
1I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,2That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.3For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:4Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;5Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
Luke
1And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.2And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy.3And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day?4And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go;5And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day?6And they could not answer him again to these things.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful expressions of God’s love and mercy. The first reading from Romans reveals St. Paul’s deep anguish over the unbelief of his Jewish brothers. He expresses such a profound love for his people that he is willing to endure separation from Christ for their sake. This passage highlights the depth of divine love and the mystery of God’s plan for salvation. The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus healing a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ strict interpretation of the law. Jesus’ action underscores the importance of compassion and mercy, even in the face of rigid traditions.
The readings are connected by the theme of God’s love breaking through human limitations. In Romans, Paul’s sorrow reflects the tension between God’s universal plan and the particular history of Israel. In Luke, Jesus demonstrates that love and mercy must take precedence over legalistic interpretations of the law. Both readings remind us that God’s ways are not bound by human rules or expectations. Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath shows that true love cannot be confined to specific times or places—it must be lived out in concrete actions of compassion.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How do we respond to God’s love in our own lives? Are we like the Pharisees, focused on rules and appearances, or are we willing to follow Jesus’ example of selfless love and mercy? Let us examine our hearts and actions, ensuring that we prioritize compassion and kindness in our daily interactions. May we, like St. Paul, feel the depth of God’s love and, like Jesus, live it out in ways that bring healing and hope to those around us.