Daily Readings
Brothers and Sisters:
Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.
In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
PSALM: PS 85:9AB-10, 11-12, 13-14
Response (R): The Lord speaks of peace to his people.
I will hear what God proclaims; the LORD – for he proclaims peace. Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him, glory dwelling in our land. <R>
Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven. <R>
The LORD himself will give his benefits; our land shall yield its increase. Justice shall walk before him, and salvation, along the way of his steps. <R>
SECOND READING
Hebrews 4:14-16
Brothers and Sisters:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
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 Reflection – 22 October 2024
Pope St John Paul II
Paul, writing to the Ephesians, reflects on God’s plan using the concept of covenants. Through covenants, God adopts first the Jews and then through Jesus, He adopts all people thereby breaking walls of division between Jew and Gentile. Building on this foundational element, Paul focuses on conveying to the Ephesians how each one of them make up a ‘living stone’ in the new “Temple of God” of which Christ is the “cornerstone”.
Jesus expects every member of this Temple to be in a constant state of readiness with “loins girded” and “lamps lit”. “Girded loins”, a term borrowed from the Exodus imagery of the Passover, symbolises readiness for action at God’s command. To have ones “lamps lit” is symbolic of being watchful and vigilant.
Jesus’ followers are thus called to be ‘Contemplatives in action’ – always reflective and always active.
Source: Archdiocese of Mumbai official website (https://www.archdioceseofbombay.org/)