Daily Readings for October 15, 2018

1st READING

The argument of Paul about the origins of living under grace and the law is impossible to follow, mainly because it cannot remain coherent. It is impossible to describe a spiritual reality with a material example. We all have a choice whether to rely on our own strength or place our hope and trust in God. Let us pray that we choose well.

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1

22 Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. 23 The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. 24 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. 26 But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband. 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman. 5:1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

P S A L M 

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7

R: Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

1 Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the Lord, our God, who 6 looks upon the heavens and the earth below? 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. (R) 

GOSPEL 

We have heard and understood the Gospel and have the responsibility to live and proclaim it. We cannot expect the same of those who have not heard the Good News yet. Jesus hints at this in the Gospel when He speaks of pagan rulers who live righteous lives better than the Jews. It is the pagans’ lives that will judge the chosen people who have failed to live out the covenant.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION 

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 

Luke 11:29-32

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”