Daily Catholic Mass Readings for October 30, 2025
First Reading: Romans 8.31b-39
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 109
1O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,2for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.3With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.4In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.5They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.6Appoint an evil man to oppose him; let an accuser stand at his right hand.7When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.8May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.9May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.10May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven from their ruined homes.11May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.12May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.13May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation.14May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.15May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.16For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.17He loved to pronounce a curse- may it come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing- may it be far from him.18He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.19May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.20May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.21But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.22For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.23I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.24My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.25I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.26Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.27Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.28They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.29My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.30With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.31For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.
Gospel: Luke 13.31-35
31At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said to him, "Leave this place and go somewhere else. Herod wants to kill you."32He replied, "Go tell that fox, 'I will drive out demons and heal people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.'33In any case, I must keep going today and tomorrow and the next day--for surely no prophet can die outside Jerusalem!34"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!35Look, your house is left to you desolate. I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound assurance of God's unwavering love and the steadfast commitment required in following Christ. The first reading from Romans 8:31b-39 reassures us that nothing can separate us from God's love, not even the challenges we face. This passage, part of Paul's extensive discussion on the relationship between believers and God, emphasizes faith and perseverance. It underscores that with God on our side, we are empowered to overcome all adversities.
The Gospel from Luke 13:31-35 presents Jesus resolutely continuing His mission despite the danger posed by Herod. This narrative, set during Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, highlights His divine purpose and sorrow for those who reject His message. Jesus' lament over Jerusalem reflects His deep compassion and the heart of a loving Father, urging us to embrace His will.
These readings connect in their themes of trust and perseverance. Romans provides the theological foundation, while Luke illustrates this through Jesus' example. In our daily lives, we are called to trust in God's providence, even amidst trials, and to emulate Jesus' compassion. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's plan, persevere in faith, and live with the same love and dedication Jesus showed, even in the face of adversity.