Daily Readings for October 28, 2016

Feast of Sts. Simon and Jude, Apostles

1ST READING

There are only a few apostles who worked with Jesus during His time on earth, but He is sending all of us on mission. We are called to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to the world. The word “apostle” comes from a root word which means “to be sent.” During baptism, we enter into the mystery of Christ and are sent out to proclaim His message.

Ephesians 2:19-22

19 Brothers and sisters: You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the Apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. 21 Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; 22 in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

P S A L M

Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R: Their message goes out through all the earth.

1 [2] The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. 2 [3] Day pours out the word to day, and night to night imparts knowledge. (R) 3 [4] Not a word nor a discourse whose voice is not heard; 4 [5] through all the earth their voice resounds, and to the ends of the world, their message. (R)

GOSPEL

The synoptic Gospels mention 12 Apostles. But John’s Gospel seems to identify other men as Apostles. Whatever the case may be, we know that Jesus worked with a small number of men and formed them to take over the ministry that He began. We know that Peter was their leader. Let us pray for the leaders of the Church today. It is difficult to lead a religious society in a secular world.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

Luke 6:12-16

12 Jesus went up to the mountain to pray, and he spent the night in prayer to God. 13 When day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called a Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.