Today, October 13
Feast of the Day
Anniversary of the consecration of Mary Queen of the World Cathedral
Saint of the Day
Readings of the Day
Letter to the Galatians 5,1-6.
Brothers and sisters: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. It is I, Paul, who am telling you that if you have yourselves circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Once again I declare to every man who has himself circumcised that he is bound to observe the entire law. You are separated from Christ, you who are trying to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we await the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Psalms 119(118),41.43.44.45.47.48.
Let your mercy come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise. Take not the word of truth from my mouth, for in your ordinances is my hope. I will keep your law continually, forever and ever. I will walk at liberty, because I seek your precepts. I will delight in your commands, which I love. I will lift up my hands to your commands and meditate on your statutes.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 11,37-41.
After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside? But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you."
Daily Reflection
It is right and holy, brethren, to obey God rather than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become agitators… Let us cleave to those who cultivate peace with godliness, and not to those who hypocritically profess to desire it. For Scripture says in a certain place: "This people honors me with their lips alone though their hearts are far from me" (Is 29,13; Mk 7,6). And again: "They bless with their mouths but inwardly they curse" (Ps 61[62],5). And again it says: "They flattered him with their mouths and lied to him with their tongues though their hearts were not steadfast towards him, nor were they faithful to his covenant" (Ps 77[78],36)… For Christ belongs to those who are humble-minded, and not to those who exalt themselves over his flock. Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sceptre of the majesty of God, did not come in the pomp of pride or arrogance - although he might have done so - but in a lowly condition, as the Holy Spirit declared regarding him: "Lord, who has believed our report? To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? We have declared our message in his presence. He is, as it were, a child, and like a shoot from the parched earth; There was in him no stately bearing to make us look at him, no appearance that would attract us to him" (Is 53,1-3)… Now you see, beloved, what is the example given to us; for if the Lord thus humbled himself, what shall we do who have, through him, come under the yoke of His grace?