Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 16, 2017
First Reading: Romans 1.1-7
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 98
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.3He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;5make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,6with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.8Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;9let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: Luke 11.29-32
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, God’s plan, and our response to His call. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, and separated for the Gospel of God. He emphasizes that the Gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the flesh of David and declared the Son of God in power through His resurrection. Paul also expresses his mission to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, including the believers in Rome. This passage sets the stage for Paul’s theological masterpiece, the Letter to the Romans, which explores the depths of God’s plan of salvation.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds, criticizing their wicked generation for seeking a sign. He warns them that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah, who became a symbol of repentance for the people of Nineveh. Jesus then contrasts the faith of the queen of the South, who traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and the repentance of the Ninevites at Jonah’s preaching, with the hardness of heart of His own generation. Despite the greater wisdom and presence of God in Jesus, the people refuse to repent. This passage challenges us to examine our own response to God’s Word and the signs He has already given us.
Both readings remind us that faith is not about seeking signs or proofs but about trusting in God’s plan and responding with obedience. St. Paul’s call and mission, as well as Jesus’ words to the crowds, emphasize that God’s revelation is already complete in Jesus Christ. We are called to live out our faith with gratitude and humility, recognizing the profound wisdom and love that God has shown us. Let us ask ourselves: Do we respond to God’s Word with openness and repentance, or do we harden our hearts like the generation Jesus addressed? May we embrace the Gospel with faith and live as children of God, trusting in His plan for our lives.