Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 22, 2024

22nd October 2024 (Tuesday)

Psalter: Week 1

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Ephesians 2:12-22

Brethren: Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Psalm 85:9ab and 10, 11-12, 13-14 (R. see 9b)

R/. The Lord speaks of peace for his people.

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 12:35-38

At this time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!

Daily Gospel Reflection

Tuesday – Twenty-Ninth Week of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: We are noble people with dignity. We are God’s own household. Therefore, be alert and prepared so that We are found worthy and faithful by the Master.

1. We are living in a world where everyone wants to be a master, on the top of the world. There is also a great increase of dishonesty, deception and infidelity. To such a world, Jesus proposes the model of a servant who is humble and docile to the Master, and who serves the Master honestly and faithfully.

2. He is not so entangled with worldly affairs, so as to lose sight of the Master. He is always conscious of the likes and needs of his master. He is ever patient and consistent to wait on his master, and is prompt to attend to him in wholehearted service.

3. How lamentable it is that today we have an increasing breed of pseudo and shallow masters! We have acclaimed and professed professional servants who bother the least to be attentive, alert, prepared and prompt to serve the Master. God touch and transform these self-swollen masters in the disguise of servants!

4. Such a true spirit of a humble and faithful servant is possible, only when we remain deeply conscious of the nobility of our call. This implies, in the light of the first reading from the letter to the Ephesians, to be intensely grateful to God for the marvel of salvation through Christ.

5. In Christ, we are made God’s own household, God’s own people. We are no longer strangers or aliens, but fellow citizens of the holy people. Christ has united us together as one people, as one holy temple, the spiritual sanctuary of God.

6. In Christ, we rediscover and regain our peace. That means, to live in a spirit and bond of unity, humility and loyalty like a true servant, being obedient to the Master and benevolent toward other fellow-servants.

Practice: A faithful servant is one who is dressed for the Master’s service and not addressed for power and self- service