Daily Readings for October 8, 2016

1ST READING

Without the Spirit of God, the law can never be fulfilled. The law cannot empower us to keep it. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to do this. As Christians, we need to surrender our lives to the power of the Spirit and allow the grace of God to make us His disciples and to make us holy.

Galatians 3:22-29

22 Brothers and sisters: Scripture confined all things under the power of sin, that through faith in Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe. 23 Before faith came, we were held in custody under law, confined for the faith that was to be revealed. 24 Consequently, the law was our disciplinarian for Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a disciplinarian. 26 For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.

P S A L M

Psalm 105:2-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

2 Sing to him, sing his praise, proclaim all his wondrous deeds. 3 Glory in his holy name; rejoice, O hearts that seek the Lord! (R) 4 Look to the Lord in his strength; seek to serve him constantly. 5 Recall the wondrous deeds that he has wrought, his portents, and the judgments he has uttered. (R) 6 You descendants of Abraham, his servants, sons of Jacob, his chosen ones! 7 He, the Lord, is our God; throughout the earth his judgments prevail. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus challenges us to become people of action when it comes to our faith. God hears a lot of words every day. But He wants to see those words inspire us to action. John teaches that the people around us will know we are Christians by the love we have for one another. This means that our faith must be expressed in concrete acts of love and mercy every day, giving life to the truths of the Gospels through our actions.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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

Luke 11:27-28

27 While Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” 28 He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”