October 16
Friday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
First Reading
EPH 1:11-14
Brothers and sisters: In Christ we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the Gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, which is the first installment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise of his glory.
Responsorial Psalm
PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Exult, you just, in the LORD; praise from the upright is fitting. Give thanks to the LORD on the harp; with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
For upright is the word of the LORD, and all his works are trustworthy. He loves justice and right; of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Alleluia
PS 33:22
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
May your kindness, LORD, be upon us; who have put our hope in you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
LK 12:1-7
At that time: So many people were crowding together that they were trampling one another underfoot. Jesus began to speak, first to his disciples, “Beware of the leaven–that is, the hypocrisy–of the Pharisees.
“There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, nor secret that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered behind closed doors will be proclaimed on the housetops. I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one. Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God. Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. Do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.”
Give a Mass Offering
Prayer for Spiritual Communion
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the most Blessed Sacrament. I love You above all things and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there, and unite myself wholly to You. Never permit me to be separated from You. Amen.
“Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.”
Readings & Reflection
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Let us take a moment and remember that God knows everything about us! I find that to be a sobering thought. Most of us do not want someone to know everything about us. We may be fearful of being judged or fearful of losing a relationship, yet God does know us because He has created us.
As human beings, we often prefer not to face our own weakness or sin. That is why many of us find the Sacrament of Reconciliation so difficult. I truly believe that understanding that God loves what he creates should give us the courage to face who we are with honesty. When we can face our own shortcomings, admit to them, and even dare to work on those shortcomings, we often find inner peace. We must remember that everything is possible with and for God. God will help us improve ourselves if we only admit that we have issues that need resolution while we are in this life.
Peace,
Fr. John Kurgan
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