Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 4, 2019
First Reading: Baruch 1.15-22
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Psalm 79
1O God, the nations have invaded your inheritance; they have defiled your holy temple, they have reduced Jerusalem to rubble.2They have given the dead bodies of your servants as food to the birds of the air, the flesh of your saints to the beasts of the earth.3They have poured out blood like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one to bury the dead.4We are objects of reproach to our neighbors, of scorn and derision to those around us.5How long, O LORD? Will you be angry forever? How long will your jealousy burn like fire?6Pour out your wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge you, on the kingdoms that do not call on your name;7for they have devoured Jacob and destroyed his homeland.8Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers; may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.9Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name's sake.10Why should the nations say, "Where is their God?" Before our eyes, make known among the nations that you avenge the outpoured blood of your servants.11May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.12Pay back into the laps of our neighbors seven times the reproach they have hurled at you, O Lord.13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.
Gospel: Luke 10.13-16
13"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.16"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the importance of responding to God's revelation with humility and openness. In Baruch, we hear a heartfelt confession of sin, acknowledging the people's unfaithfulness and failure to listen to God's commandments. This passage, set against the backdrop of the Babylonian exile, serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The people recognize that their suffering stems from their disobedience and hardness of heart, urging us to examine our own relationship with God.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, lamenting their lack of repentance despite the miracles they witnessed. He contrasts their response with that of Tyre and Sidon, suggesting that even those considered less privileged would have repented. This serves as a stark warning about the dangers of complacency and the failure to recognize God's presence in our lives. Jesus emphasizes that rejecting His message is not just a personal choice but also a rejection of the One who sent Him.
These readings call us to a life of repentance and faith. In our daily lives, we are constantly presented with opportunities to respond to God's grace. Whether through blessings or challenges, we must remain attentive and open to His will. The moral lesson here is clear: hardness of heart leads to judgment, while humility and repentance open the door to healing and restoration. Let us reflect on our own response to God's revelation, seeking to live with hearts that are receptive and obedient to His call.