Reflection on the Daily Readings for 10/17/09 by Fr. Bertrand Buby, SM

Today’s Readings


Scripture: Lectionary # 472. Romans 4:13.16-18. Psalm 105: 6-7,8-9.42-43.
Luke 12:8-12:

There are many verses that are like treausures found in an open field.
Paul often places them within some of his most difficult writings. When we
find them, they help us to understand what he is talking about and how he
is encouraging us to deepen our faith in the person of Christ.  These lines
are so universal that they can help anyone who is a believer in God and
Paul is interested in being an ambassador of the word of God for all
peoples.  One such excerpt from today can help us to be more united to God
through our faith, hope, and love. Paul makes it quite clear that "all
depends on faith, everything is a grace."  He shows us that God's promises
hold true for both his own people the Jews and for the Gentiles. The
promises of God are without repentance, that is, God never forgets us and
never takes back what God tells us.

The Psalm response is a confirmation of this and the contents of the Psalm
are an excellent prayer of joy and praise.  "The Lord remembers his
covenant forever."  Joy naturally follows with such a statement. We can
easily remember it and hold fast to it throughout the hours of the day; we
take a little bit of reflective time to recall it as the day moves on.

We also learn from Jesus that when we need the right words to say in some
difficulties that we face or when people are hostile toward us, Jesus tells
us, "The Holy Spirit will teach you at that moment all that should be
said."

Both readings have these words of hope and trust in God that remind us what
Paul says in chapter 8 of Romans, "If God is for us, who can be against us?
He who did not withold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he
not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge
against God's elect?  It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is
Christ Jesus who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of
God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of
Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword?...nothing will be able to separate us from
the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Amen.