October 15, 2014 1ST READING We face choices every day that allow us to demonstrate whether we are men and women of the Spirit or of the flesh. What is it that motivates you? Is it the pleasures of the world or the hope of eternal life? Paul makes it clear that our choices will have consequences. It is wise that we choose well, guided by the values and promises of the life of faith rather than by those of the world. Galatians 5:18-25 18 Brothers and sisters: If you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, 21 occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit. GOSPEL The Pharisees are more interested in what they can get from what they do rather than doing the right thing. They have become a sort of religious mercenary group who are interested only in furthering their own interests, even at the expense of the poor. Jesus will not stand for such hypocrisy and disregard for the welfare of others. Each of us will have to give an account of how we have lived on Judgment Day. GOSPEL ACCLAMATION My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me. Luke 11:42-46 42 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces. 44 Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.” 45 Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 10:04:41 +0000
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