Daily Readings for October 2, 2016

1ST READING

What is your vision for your life? Habakkuk reminds us of the need to have meaning and direction in life. Let us reflect on what we think God is calling us to achieve in our life. Once we have an answer, let us set out to fulfill it. Scripture tells us that the people without a vision perish. It is because they will be assimilated into secular society. We need to work hard to retain our Christian identity in the midst of a secular world.

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4

2 How long, O Lord? I cry for help but you do not listen! I cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not intervene. 3 Why do you let me see ruin; why must I look at misery? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and clamorous discord. 2:2 Then the Lord answered me and said: Write down the vision clearly upon the tablets, so that one can read it readily. 3 For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late. 4 The rash one has no integrity; but the just one, because of his faith, shall live.

P S A L M

Psalm 95:1-2, 6-7, 8-9

R: If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

1 Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord; let us acclaim the rock of our salvation. 2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us joyfully sing psalms to him. (R) 6 Come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. 7 For he is our God, and we are the people he shepherds, the flock he guides. (R) Oh, that today you would hear his voice: 8 “Harden not your hearts as at Meribah, as in the day of Massah in the desert, 9 where your fathers tempted me; they tested me though they had seen my works.” (R)

2ND READING

Paul tells Timothy to exercise the gifts of the Spirit he has been given and not to worry about what other people might think. Faithfulness to God’s call is the key. If God calls us to a particular ministry, we should do what we can and get involved. Using our spiritual gifts helps us and other people to grow in our faith in God.

2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14

6 Beloved: I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. 8 So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord, nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God. 13 Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us.

GOSPEL

Even a little faith can make a big difference. Let us not aspire to make a “big splash” or to be the “main event” at an evangelistic rally. Rather be content in doing what God asks of us no matter how small or insignificant it may seem to be. This is the way to holiness. Faithfulness in the little things prepare us for the bigger things. Let us prove our trustworthiness by following God’s will today.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The word of the Lord remains forever. This is the word that has been proclaimed to you.

Luke 17:5-10

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” 6 The Lord replied, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? 8 Would he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You  may eat and drink when I am finished’? 9 Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”