Daily Readings for October 21, 2017

1ST READING

Paul knows, through personal experience, the dangers of getting caught up in a legalistic mindset. Somehow, by the grace of God, he was able to overcome this hindrance and enter fully into a life of faith in Jesus. He now wants to do everything possible to convince those who follow him not to allow legalism to govern their lives. He wants us to live in the true freedom of the sons and daughters of God, so that we will experience the fullness of life that our faith offers us.

Romans 4:13, 16-18

13 Brothers and sisters: It was not through the law that the promise was made to Abraham and his descendants that he would inherit the world, but through the righteousness that comes from faith. 16 For this reason, it depends on faith, so that it may be a gift, and the promise may be guaranteed to all his descendants, not to those who only adhere to the law but to those who follow the faith of Abraham, who is the father of all of us, 17 as it is written, I have made you father of many nations. He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into being what does not exist. 18 He believed, hoping against hope, that he would become the father of many nations, according to what was said, Thus shall your descendants be.

P S A L M

Psalm 105:6-7, 8-9, 42-43

R: The Lord remembers his covenant forever.

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) 8 He remembers forever his covenant which he made binding for a thousand generations — 9 which he entered into with Abraham and by his oath to Isaac. (R) 42 For he remembered his holy word to his servant Abraham. 43 And he led forth his people with joy; with shouts of joy, his chosen ones. (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus speaks of our responsibility to give witness to Christ. This means that we must always be open to share the Good News with others. Peter reminds us that we have to be ready to share why we have hope and love in our lives (cf. 1Peter 3:15-16). This is giving witness to Christ. If one is finally able to forgive a person who has wronged him, it could be because he has experienced the forgiveness of Christ in his life. Therefore, he should be willing to admit that his capacity to forgive has been enhanced by his faith.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Spirit of truth will testify to me, says the Lord, and you also will testify.

Luke 12:8-12

8 Jesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. 9 But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. 10 “Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 11 When they take you before synagogues and before rulers and authorities, do not worry about how or what your defense will be or about what you are to say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say.”