28th Week in Ordinary Time
20th October 2023 (Friday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Romans 4:1-8
Brethren: What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 (R. see 7)
R/. You are a hiding place for me; you surround me with cries of deliverance
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. May your merciful love be upon us as we hope in you, O Lord.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 12:1-7
At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Highlight: Grace is gratuitous!
Guidlines: God never leaves us in our stress and distress to fight a lone battle. All that is needed is to turn and cling to Him even in our struggle{alertSuccess}
1. Salvation is our destiny and grace is the way to attain it. And faith is the condition to obtain it. True faith reminds us that ultimately grace and salvation are God’s generous gifts that we do not merit or deserve.
2. Therefore, it is not the works that make us righteous or bring us salvation. Abraham was counted righteous before God not so much for his works but for his faith. In fact, his righteous life, highlighted by his prompt readiness to sacrifice even his only son Isaac, is nothing but an authentic expression, a natural outflow, and a testimony of his profound faith.
3. The Pharisees and scribes lost sight of this gratuitous nature of grace and salvation. They were so self-righteous as to think presumptuously that they merit and acquire grace and salvation due to their observance of the law and good works. They failed to understand that works without faith and surrender are shallow and superfluous. It is like flesh without life.
4. This led them easily into legalism and hypocrisy. That is why, there was a sharp chasm between their intention and action, their heart and deed, their interior and exterior. This dichotomy is so contagious like “leaven”. The Lord warns us of this leaven of hypocrisy, so as not to be infected and vitiated by it.
5. He indicates to us that hypocrisy may work for some time before men but not before God: ‘Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore, it is better to live accountable toward God, rather than admirable before the world.
6. That is why, Jesus exhorts us, not to fear the world that can only harm us externally or physically. Rather, fear God who has total control over our lives, and even our destiny of eternity. Besides, why fear when He takes deep personal care of each one of us? He who cares even little sparrows, He for whom even the hairs of our head are all numbered, will He not care us?Practice: Following the Lord is a strenuous task that will beset us with numerous trials and fearful experiences. But nothing to fear, because the Lord has total control over everything. He will steer the course of action and especially the end is with Him.{alertSuccess}