Daily Readings for October 3, 2017

1ST READING

If our Christian communities lived out the Gospel to the full, then people who witnessed our lives would be clamoring to join us. They would see that we have found the key to a fulfilling life. This is the challenge in our faith walk — to live the Gospel such that unbelievers would want to believe in our God and receive the same peace and happiness that we have.

Zechariah 8:20-23

20 Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; 21 and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, “Come! Let us go to implore the favor of the Lord”; and, “I too will go to seek the Lord.” 22 Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord. 23 Thus says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

P S A L M

Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: God is with us.

1 His foundation upon the holy mountains 2 the Lord loves: The gates of Zion, more than any dwelling of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! (R) 4 I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those that know the Lord; Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: “This man was born there.” 5 And of Zion they shall say: “One and all were born in her; and he who has established her is the Most High Lord.” (R) 6 They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled: “This man was born there.” 7 And all shall sing, in their festive dance: “My home is within you.” (R)

GOSPEL

Jesus decided to go to Jerusalem even if He knew that He would not be welcomed there, especially by the Jewish leaders and authorities. He must have known that this would cause conflict, and so He prepared Himself to suffer in obedience to His Father’s will. Are we willing to make the same depth of commitment to God’s will for us? This is what discipleship is all about — we are willing to do whatever God asks of us.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Luke 9:51-56

51 When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, 52 and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.