Daily Readings - Mon Oct 16 2017

First Reading - Romans 1.1-7

¹Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called as an Apostle, separated for the Gospel of God²which he had promised beforehand, through his Prophets, in the Holy Scriptures³about his Son, who was made for him from the offspring of David according to the flesh⁴the Son of God, who was predestined in virtue according to the Spirit of sanctification from the resurrection of the dead, our Lord Jesus Christ⁵through whom we have received grace and Apostleship, for the sake of his name, for the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles⁶from whom you also have been called by Jesus Christ⁷To all who are at Rome, the beloved of God, called as saints. Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ

Gospel - Luke 11.29-32

Luke

Chapter 11

²⁹Then, as the crowds were quickly gathering, he began to say: "This generation is a wicked generation: it seeks a sign. But no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah³⁰For just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of man be to this generation³¹The queen of the South will rise up, at the judgment, with the men of this generation, and she will condemn them. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, more than Solomon is here³²The men of Nineveh will rise up, at the judgment, with this generation, and they will condemn it. For at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. And behold, more than Jonah is here

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the nature of faith, God’s plan, and our response to His call. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, and separated for the Gospel of God. He emphasizes that the Gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets and is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who was born of the flesh of David and declared the Son of God in power through His resurrection. Paul also expresses his mission to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, including the believers in Rome. This passage sets the stage for Paul’s theological masterpiece, the Letter to the Romans, which explores the depths of God’s plan of salvation. In the Gospel, Jesus addresses the crowds, criticizing their wicked generation for seeking a sign. He warns them that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah, who became a symbol of repentance for the people of Nineveh. Jesus then contrasts the faith of the queen of the South, who traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, and the repentance of the Ninevites at Jonah’s preaching, with the hardness of heart of His own generation. Despite the greater wisdom and presence of God in Jesus, the people refuse to repent. This passage challenges us to examine our own response to God’s Word and the signs He has already given us. Both readings remind us that faith is not about seeking signs or proofs but about trusting in God’s plan and responding with obedience. St. Paul’s call and mission, as well as Jesus’ words to the crowds, emphasize that God’s revelation is already complete in Jesus Christ. We are called to live out our faith with gratitude and humility, recognizing the profound wisdom and love that God has shown us. Let us ask ourselves: Do we respond to God’s Word with openness and repentance, or do we harden our hearts like the generation Jesus addressed? May we embrace the Gospel with faith and live as children of God, trusting in His plan for our lives.