Daily Readings for October 19, 2017

1ST READING

Paul summarizes (verses 21 to 26) his understanding of the process of salvation in these six verses. They can provide an unending basis for reflection if we allow the Holy Spirit to take us deeper into their meaning. It can confront us with the areas of our lives that still need full commitment to the Lord. Let us take up this challenge and allow the Lord to bring us to a deeper conversion of heart and mind.

Romans 3:21-30

21 Brothers and sisters: Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; 23 all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as an expiation, through faith, by his Blood, to prove his righteousness because of the forgiveness of sins previously committed, 26 through the forbearance of God — to prove his righteousness in the present time, that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 What occasion is there then for boasting? It is ruled out. On what principle, that of works? No, rather on the principle of faith. 28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Does God belong to Jews alone? Does he not belong to Gentiles, too? Yes, also to Gentiles, 30 for God is one and will justify the circumcised on the basis of faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

P S A L M

Psalm 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6

R: With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice! 2 Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication. (R) 3 If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? 4 But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered. (R) 5 I trust in the Lord; my soul trusts in his word. 6 My soul waits for the Lord more than sentinels wait for the dawn. (R)

GOSPEL

Monuments, lengthy prayers and hypocrisy often go together. What matters is how much we love and how we express it in our relationship with others. Faith is never about putting on a show for others to see but being faithful to our relationship with Jesus and allowing our experience of God to transform and direct the way we relate with others. This challenges us to move beyond our own concerns and to include those of our communities. This is the nature of love.  This is the nature of life.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.

Luke 11:47-54

47 The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed. 48 Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building. 49 Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’ 50 in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood! 52 Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” 53 When Jesus left, the scribes and  Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, 54 for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.