Daily Catholic Mass Readings for November 8, 2021
First Reading: Wisdom 1.1-7
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Psalm 139
1O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.2You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.3You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.4Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.5You hem me in-behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.7Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?8If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.9If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,10even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.11If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,"12even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.13For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.14I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.15My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,16your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.17How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.19If only you would slay the wicked, O God! Away from me, you bloodthirsty men!20They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name.21Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD, and abhor those who rise up against you?22I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies.23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Gospel: Luke 17.1-6
1Jesus said to his disciples: "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come.2It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.3So watch yourselves. "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.4If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, 'I repent,' forgive him."5The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"6He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of a virtuous life and the power of faith. The first reading from Wisdom encourages us to seek God with a pure heart, emphasizing justice and simplicity. It warns that wisdom eludes those consumed by malice and sin, highlighting the importance of living a life aligned with divine values. The Gospel from Luke complements this by focusing on the responsibilities of discipleship, urging us to avoid causing scandals and to embrace forgiveness, even when it is challenging. Jesus underscores the transformative power of faith, comparing it to a mustard seed capable of moving mountains.
These readings are contextually rich. Wisdom, part of the deuterocanonical literature, was written to inspire fidelity among the Jewish community, while Luke's Gospel captures Jesus' teachings on communal living and discipleship. Together, they emphasize the interconnectedness of virtue and faith. The first reading sets the stage by highlighting the need for purity and justice, which aligns with Jesus' teachings on avoiding scandal and practicing forgiveness. This connection underscores the importance of living a life that reflects our faith in action.
In our daily lives, these teachings call us to integrity and mindfulness. We must avoid actions that could lead others astray and embrace forgiveness as a cornerstone of our relationships. Even a small amount of faith can have a profound impact, empowering us to overcome challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: living with integrity, avoiding sin, and cultivating faith and forgiveness are essential for a healthy spiritual life and community. Let us strive to embody these teachings, allowing our faith to guide us in living justly and seeking God with simplicity.