DAILY READINGS & REFLECTION
OCTOBER 20, 2023
FRIDAY OF THE TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
(OPTIONAL MEMORIAL OF SAINT PAUL OF THE CROSS, PRIEST)
FIRST READING
ROMANS 4:1-8 OR (1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-25)
1 What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness." 4 Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. 5 And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. 6 So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: 7 "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin."
The Word of the Lord
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RESPONSORIAL PSALM
PSALMS 31(32):1-2, 5, 11 OR (PSALMS 117:1-2)
Response: I turn to thee, Lord, in time of trouble, and thou fill me with the joy of salvation.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
R. I turn to thee, Lord, in time of trouble, and thou fill me with the joy of salvation.
I acknowledged my sin to thee,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my trangressions to the LORD”;
then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.
R. I turn to thee, Lord, in time of trouble, and thou fill me with the joy of salvation.
Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
R. I turn to thee, Lord, in time of trouble, and thou fill me with the joy of salvation.
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GOSPEL
Do not fear those who kill the body
LUKE 12:1-7 OR (MATTHEW 16:24-27)
1 In the meantime, when so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3 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 upon the housetops. 4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
The Gospel of the Lord
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REFLECTION
DAILY QUOTE FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FATHERS
Comfort for those who doubt God's providence in Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"To bestow yet another means of comfort on our minds, he forcibly added that five sparrows are scarcely perhaps worth a penny, and yet God does not forget even one of them. He also said that the separate hairs of your head are all numbered. Consider how great care he takes of those that love him. The Preserver of the universe extends his aid to things so worthless and descends to the smallest animals. How can he forget those who love him, especially when he takes so great care of them? He condescends to visit them, to know exactly each particular of their state, and even how many are the hairs of their heads... Let us not doubt that with a rich hand he will give his grace to those who love him. He will not permit us to fall into temptation. If, by his wise purpose he permits us to be taken in the snare in order that we may gain glory by suffering, he will most assuredly grant us the power to bear it."
(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 87)
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)
The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.