Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 6, 2023
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
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on sin, repentance, and divine judgment. The first reading from Baruch is a heartfelt confession of the Israelites' unfaithfulness to God. They acknowledge their refusal to listen to His commandments and their pursuit of evil inclinations, leading to their suffering. This text, likely written after the Babylonian exile, serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God.
In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, condemning their lack of repentance despite witnessing miracles. He contrasts them with Tyre and Sidon, suggesting that even these historically sinful cities would have repented under similar circumstances. This passage underscores the gravity of rejecting the Gospel message, emphasizing that to reject Jesus' disciples is to reject Jesus and the Father.
Both readings highlight the importance of heeding God's word and repenting from sin. Baruch's confession shows the consequences of sin, while Luke's narrative illustrates the severity of ignoring God's call. In our daily lives, we are often given opportunities to hear God's word, yet we may choose to ignore it, much like the cities in Luke. The moral lesson here is clear: repentance is not just a historical concept but a present call. Let us reflect on our own response to God's word, seeking to turn away from sin and towards Him, lest we face the consequences of our indifference. May we embrace humility and faithfulness, ensuring that our hearts remain open to His message.