Today, October 29
Feast of the Day
No feast of the day
Saint of the Day
Readings of the Day
Letter to the Ephesians 6,10-20.
Brothers and sisters: Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all (the) flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end, be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones and also for me, that speech may be given me to open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may have the courage to speak as I must.
Psalms 144(143),1.2.9-10.
Blessed be the LORD, my rock, who trains my hands for battle, my fingers for war. My mercy and my fortress, my stronghold, my deliverer, my shield, in whom I trust, who subdues my people under me. O God, I will sing a new song to you; with a ten stringed lyre I will chant your praise, You who give victory to kings, and deliver David, your servant from the evil sword.
Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 13,31-35.
Some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away, leave this area because Herod wants to kill you." He replied, "Go and tell that fox, 'Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings today and tomorrow, and on the third day I accomplish my purpose. Yet I must continue on my way today, tomorrow, and the following day, for it is impossible that a prophet should die outside of Jerusalem.' Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how many times I yearned to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were unwilling! Behold, your house will be abandoned. (But) I tell you, you will not see me until (the time comes when) you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
Daily Reflection
Jerusalem was a city of peace but she has also been a city of torment since Jesus so greatly suffered there and died there in great pain. Within this city we must be his witnesses, not in words but in truth, by our lives, imitating him as much as we are able. Many there are who would willingly be God's witnesses in time of peace, provided all goes as they would wish. They would willingly become saints provided they find nothing bitter in the exercise and work of sanctity. They would like to taste, desire and know divine joys without having to pass through any kind of bitterness, pain or desolation. No sooner do strong temptations or darkness come upon them, no sooner does the feeling and awareness of God leave them, no sooner do they feel interiorly and exteriorly abandoned than they turn away and thus are not true witnesses. All men seek peace. Everywhere, in their works and in all kinds of ways, they seek peace. Ah! if only we might free ourselves from this seeking and be the ones to look for peace in suffering. That is the only place where true peace is born, the peace that abides and lasts... Let us look for peace in suffering, joy in sadness, simplicity in multiplicity, consolation in bitterness, for it is then that we shall become in truth the witnesses of God.