Daily Readings - Sat Oct 07 2023
Luke
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.22"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.24For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between sin, redemption, and the ultimate joy of being in communion with God. In the first reading from Baruch, we hear the lament of Jerusalem, personified as a mother mourning the exile of her children. She acknowledges that their suffering is a consequence of their sins, which led them away from God. Yet, even in the midst of sorrow, there is hope: the call to repentance and the promise that God will restore His people. This passage reminds us that sin separates us from God, but His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with humble hearts.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to His disciples after their successful mission, reminding them that their true joy should not come from the power to cast out demons, but from the fact that their names are written in heaven. He rejoices in the Holy Spirit, thanking the Father for revealing the mysteries of the kingdom to the "little ones"—those who are humble and open to God’s truth. This passage emphasizes that our ultimate happiness comes not from earthly accomplishments or even spiritual successes, but from our relationship with God and our trust in His plan.
Together, these readings teach us to approach life with humility and gratitude. Like the disciples, we may experience moments of triumph, but we must not let these distract us from the deeper joy of knowing and loving God. Like Jerusalem, we may face the consequences of our sins, but we are always invited to return to God with repentant hearts. Let us remember that our true identity and happiness lie in being children of God, and let us strive to live in a way that reflects this truth in our daily lives.