Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 23, 2020
First Reading: Ephesians 4.1-6
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Psalm 24
1The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;2for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.3Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.5He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah7Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.9Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory. Selah
Gospel: Luke 12.54-59
54He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does.55And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It's going to be hot,' and it is.56Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?57"Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?58As you are going with your adversary to the magistrate, try hard to be reconciled to him on the way, or he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge turn you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.59I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. "
Sermon
In today's readings, we are presented with two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The First Reading from Ephesians 4:1-6 encourages us to live with humility, meekness, and patience, striving for unity in the Spirit. It reminds us that we are one body in Christ, called to maintain harmony within our community. The Gospel from Luke 12:54-59 challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to settle our conflicts promptly, warning us against hypocrisy and the consequences of failing to do so.
The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, urging them to live in a manner worthy of their faith, emphasizing unity and the oneness of the body of Christ. Luke's passage is part of Jesus' teachings, preparing his disciples to be vigilant and discerning, urging them to resolve conflicts before it's too late. Both readings, while different in focus, share a common theme of spiritual awareness and harmonious living.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embrace humility and patience in our interactions, working towards unity in our communities. We must also be discerning, recognizing the need to live according to God's will and to resolve conflicts swiftly. The moral lesson here is the importance of living in harmony with others and being spiritually proactive. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to embody these values, ensuring our actions reflect our faith and our commitment to living as one in Christ.