October 19th, 2018

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

LECTIONARY
471

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.

PSALM
PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 12-13

Response: 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.

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.

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.

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.”

Daily Reflection

Jesus warns His disciples about the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. They deliberately deceive others by pretending to be righteous when they are the opposite. Hypocrisy is futile because the truth will come out sooner or later. Some tele-evangelists also mislead people for selfish ends. But the danger is that the disciples might try to appear unrighteous to avoid persecution. This is also hypocrisy. Fear of death is strong and we are all afraid to die. Jesus cautions them not to deny Him to save their lives; spiritual death is far worse than physical death. Instead of fearing humans Jesus advises His disciples to fear God, who has the power to cast them into hell. The fact that many of Jesus’ disciples become martyrs bears out the fact that they fear God more than people. They believe that God will not forget them, as He remembers even every sparrow.

GOD WILL NOT FORGET YOU

Missionary work has never been easy, and yet the joyful rewards cannot be equalled by any other experience – Gordon B. Hinckley.