Wednesday, October 15, 2025

“With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.” — Psalm 130:7

 


πŸ“– Readings for October 16, 2025

First Reading – Romans 3:21-30

Now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, though testified to by the law and the prophets, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe… There is no distinction; for all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God. They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus… that he might be righteous and justify the one who has faith in Jesus. USCCB

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 130:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6ab

R. With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.
Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my voice in supplication.
If you, O LORD, mark iniquities, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered.
I trust in the LORD; my soul trusts in his word. More than sentinels wait for the dawn. USCCB

Alleluia – John 14:6

“I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord; no one comes to the Father except through me.” USCCB

Gospel – Luke 11:47-54

The Lord said: “Woe to you who build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed… you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors… Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge; you yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. USCCB


🌟 Verse of the Day

“With the Lord there is mercy, and fullness of redemption.” — Psalm 130:7


Reflection

I. Introduction

Today’s readings focus on God’s mercy, justification by faith, and the danger of hypocrisy. In a time when outward religion was often decoupled from inner integrity, Jesus challenges that discrepancy. We are invited to live faith—not just claim it—and to rely on God’s mercy while letting it shape how we treat others.


II. The Gospel & Its Context

In Luke 11:47-54, Jesus confronts religious leaders who honor the prophets in monument but reject their message. They build memorials to past saints even as they perpetuate the same patterns of rejection and hostility. Jesus condemns them for blocking access to God’s truth and for condemning those who seek entry. The warning is severe: one can venerate the past but fail in the present.


III. Broader Scriptural Resonance on Mercy & Faith

  • Romans 3 proclaims that we are justified freely by God’s grace through faith in Christ—not by works of the law. False boasting is excluded.

  • The Psalm gives voice to a plea from the depths, trusting in God’s mercy and redemption rather than in our own righteousness.

  • Together, they declare that justification and redemption come through faith and mercy, not through external observance or inherited privilege.


IV. Deeper Reflections

  • It’s easy to build memorials—honoring past saints, traditions—while failing to live their message in the present.

  • Hypocrisy creeps in when love, justice, mercy, humility are neglected behind religious form.

  • True faith is not just assent or ritual—it is diseased if it lacks compassion, truth, and openness to others’ access to God’s grace.


V. Practical Applications

  1. Ask yourself: Are there areas where I build religious form without living mercy and justice?

  2. Let God’s mercy flow through you—do a small act of justice or kindness to someone marginalized.

  3. Pray with the Psalm today, especially from the “depths,” trusting God’s redemption over your guilt.

  4. Stand with the weak, open access, don’t block paths for others to come to God.


πŸ™ Prayer for the Reader & for the Philippines

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for Your mercy and for justifying us through Christ by faith. Help me to live in integrity, aligning internal truth with external action. Forgive me for hypocrisy, for honoring past saints while failing in love now. Cleanse my heart, that I may be a conduit of Your mercy.

Lord, I also lift up my beloved Philippines and its people. Protect us from disasters—earthquakes, storms, floods—and guard every home and community. Free our nation from corruption, injustice, and spiritual blindness. Raise leaders who act in integrity and compassion. Heal our land, unite our people, and let Your mercy reign in every corner of our country.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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