Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 13, 2025
First Reading: Romans 1.1-7
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God--2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David,4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalm 98
1Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.2The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.3He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.4Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;5make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing,6with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn- shout for joy before the LORD, the King.7Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.8Let the rivers clap their hands, Let the mountains sing together for joy;9let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
Gospel: Luke 11.29-32
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, revelation, and the human response to God’s Word. The first reading from Romans introduces us to St. Paul, who describes himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and an Apostle set apart for the Gospel. He emphasizes that the Gospel is not a new invention but the fulfillment of God’s promises made through the prophets, centered on Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Paul also highlights the universal call to faith, addressing the Romans as “beloved of God” and “called to be saints,” reminding us of our shared dignity and vocation as followers of Christ.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus addressing a crowd that seeks a sign, only to be met with a stern rebuke. Jesus declares that no sign will be given to this “wicked generation” except the sign of Jonah, which prefigured His own death and resurrection. He then contrasts this generation with the people of Nineveh, who repented at Jonah’s preaching, and the queen of the South, who traveled far to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Jesus’ words challenge us to reflect on how we respond to the presence of God in our lives. While the people of Nineveh and the queen of the South recognized the gravity of the moment and acted with faith, this generation often remains indifferent or skeptical, even though “something greater than Jonah” and “greater than Solomon” is here among us.
These readings invite us to examine our own faith and response to God’s revelation. Paul’s letter reminds us that the Gospel is a gift of grace, not something we deserve, and that we are called to live as saints, set apart for God’s purposes. Jesus’ words in the Gospel call us to humility and repentance, urging us to recognize the signs of God’s presence already at work in our lives. In a world that often seeks spectacle or proof, we are called to trust in the quiet, enduring power of God’s Word and to live as children of light, bearing witness to the truth of the Gospel in our daily lives. Let us ask ourselves: Do we, like the queen of the South, seek wisdom with perseverance? Do we, like the people of Nineveh, repent and turn to God when we hear His Word? May we respond to the grace of God with faith, obedience, and a willingness to follow Him wholeheartedly.