Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 04, 2024

04th October 2024 (Friday)

Psalter: Week 2

Readings of the Day

First Reading: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5

The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken. “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this. “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great! Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.”

Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab (R. 24b)

R/. Lead me, Lord, in the way everlasting

Gospel Acclamation

V/. Alleluia

R/. Alleluia

V/. Today, harden not your hearts but listen to the voice of the Lord

R/. Alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 10:13-16

At that time: Jesus said, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

Daily Gospel Reflection

Friday – Twenty-Sixth Week of Ordinary Time

Guidelines: To believe is to repent, repair and renovate life. Lack of faith is not only a matter of beliefs and doctrines but is a matter of trusting in God and entrusting wholly to Him

1. Self-pride and self-glory are two ugly trends that are reigning high in the present society. These are adversely affecting both the individual life and the collective life. The quality of life is declining and also the beauty and depth of inter-relationships are also at a lower ebb. This results in a heightened spirit of selfishness and self-righteousness.

2. Consequently, people become dominant and despise others, over-sizing themselves and minimizing others. They become blind to the good in others and the good of others. They also become blind to their imperfections and defects.

3. This is exactly a culture of unbelief and lack of faith. When a man becomes full of himself, there is no space for God and others. This is what is affecting our world. Many do not realize the indispensable need for God in our lives. Many do not value and respect the human dignity of others.

4. This is what happened in the case of the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in the time of Jesus. God’s own love and power were quite vivid before their eyes in and through the life and mission of Jesus. Jesus’ preaching and healing ministry and his authentic living were the strongest proofs urging them to believe and follow Jesus.

5. But they were so stubborn and closed. They felt sufficient by themselves. They contented themselves with their traditions and blind observance of laws. They rejected Jesus and refused his invitation to repent. Thus they forfeit the grace abundantly offered by God through Jesus. Hence, they incur Jesus’ rebuke.

6. In contrast, we find a profound spirit of humility and surrender in Job in the first reading. In the mighty presence of God, Job humbly admits his incapacity to comprehend the incomprehensible mysteries of God. He promptly surrenders himself totally to God.

7. St Francis of Assisi whom we commemorate today was also such a soul who totally surrendered to God in all humility and committed to God’s work in all fervour. His humility was such that he called the followers of his new Order Friars Minor because they were to regard themselves as the least religious. Out of humility Francis declined priesthood and continued as a deacon all his life.

Practice: God readily accepts and tolerates and condones any weakness and failure. But He detests arrogance and obstinacy. They block repentance and faith