29th Week in Ordinary Time
24th October 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Psalter: Week 1
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Romans 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21
Brethren: Just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—If many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Psalm 40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17 (R. see 8a, 9a)
R/. See, I have come, Lord, to do your will.
Alleluia
V/. Alleluia R/. Alleluia
V/. Stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel : Luke 12:35-38
At this time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants!
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Highlight: Be alert and ready!
Guidlines: We are called to be servants in the service of the Master. We need to be alert and faithful!{alertSuccess}
1. Christ Jesus is our Saviour who brought us liberation from sin and death and brought us grace and eternal life. He reversed the story of the fall of the first man by his obedience to God’s will, the life of righteousness, and death on the cross. Through him, the superabundance of grace surpassed the abundance of sin. Therefore, we are called to remain obedient to this Lord of ours and faithfully follow him.
2. This following becomes possible when we surrender ourselves to him as humble servants. We must always bear in mind that we are his servants in his service. As good servants, we must be totally docile to him, alert and prompt to attend to him. Never shall we be found unalert and unprepared! Never shall we miss his coming! We never know when or how he comes, when he knocks on our doors.
3. Blessed are we whom the master finds awake when he comes! Blessed are we if open to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are we who will gird ourselves and have the master sit at the table and serve him! Alas! How unaware, unalert, unready, and lethargic many servants of today are!
4. Certainly, many are caught unawares when the master comes and knocks on the door of their hearts, lives, families, and communities! Many do not have the patience and receptivity to wait on the master in eager docility! Many are so busy that they cannot spare time to serve the master at the table. Many are so meticulous with their time sense that they cannot simply “waste” their time in useless and uncertain waiting!
Practice: When the master comes and knocks on the doors, how many will be present indoors, how many will be prompt to open to him? First of all, how many will happily open the door to him?{alertSuccess}