Daily Readings for October 4, 2016

1ST READING

Paul prepares a simple version of his testimony to the Galatians. Let us be  ready with our own testimony in case we get an opportunity to share it with someone. Preparedness is one of the key traits of a disciple — always ready to be an instrument of God’s grace whenever He calls. Paul literally traveled the world to proclaim the Good News. Let us be prepared to do whatever God wants of us.

Galatians 1:13-24

13 Brothers and sisters: You heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I persecuted the Church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, 14 and progressed in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my race, since I was even more a zealot for my ancestral traditions. 15 But when he, who from my mother’s womb had set me apart and called me through his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son to me, so that I might proclaim him to the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were Apostles before me; rather, I went into Arabia and then returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas and remained with him for fifteen days. 19 But I did not see any other of the Apostles, only James the brother of the Lord. 20(As to what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I am not lying.) 21Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown personally to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; 23 they only kept hearing that “the one who once was persecuting us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 So they glorified God because of me.

P S A L M

Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14, 14-15

R: Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.

1 O Lord, you have probed me and you know me; 2 you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. 3 My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar. (R) 13 Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. 14 I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works. (R) My soul also you knew full well; 15 nor was my frame unknown to you when I was made in secret, when I was fashioned in the depths of the earth. (R)

GOSPEL

St. Francis of Assisi, known as the poverello (poor one), was always ready to go where the Lord sent him. He literally desired to rebuild the Church at the request of God. His spiritual legacy continues to inspire those who seek to live a simple life in response to the Gospel calling. Maybe not all of us will embrace poverty in the same way he did, but we do need to embrace the example of his simple life. This is a great way to witness to the primacy of the Gospel in our lives.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.

Luke 10:38-42

38 Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. 40 Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” 41 The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 42 There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”