October 19, 2021

Readings for the Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, priests and martyrs, and their companions, martyrs

Memorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, Martyrs

Lectionary: 474

Reading I

Rom 5:12, 15b, 17-19, 20b-21

Brothers and sisters:
Through one man sin entered the world,
and through sin, death,
and thus death came to all men, inasmuch as all sinned.

If by that one person’s transgression the many died,
how much more did the grace of God
and the gracious gift of the one man Jesus Christ
overflow for the many.
For if, by the transgression of the one,
death came to reign through that one,
how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace
and the gift of justification
come to reign in life through the one Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, just as through one transgression
condemnation came upon all,
so, through one righteous act
acquittal and life came to all.
For just as through the disobedience of one man
the many were made sinners,
so, through the obedience of the one
the many will be made righteous.
Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more,
so that, as sin reigned in death,
grace also might reign through justification
for eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Responsorial Psalm

40:7-8a, 8b-9, 10, 17

1.  (8a and 9a) Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
   Sacrifice or oblation you wished not,
       but ears open to obedience you gave me.
   Burnt offerings or sinofferings you sought not;
       then said I, “Behold I come.”
   R.    Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
   “In the written scroll it is prescribed for me,
   To do your will, O my God, is my delight,
       and your law is within my heart!”
   R.   Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
   I announced your justice in the vast assembly;
       I did not restrain my lips, as you, O LORD, know.
   R.    Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.
   May all who seek you
       exult and be glad in you,
   And may those who love your salvation
       say ever, “The LORD be glorified.”
   R.    Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will.

Alleluia

Lk 21:36

1. Alleluia, alleluia.
   Be vigilant at all times and pray
   that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
   R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

Lk 12:35-38

Jesus said to his disciples: 
“Gird your loins and light your lamps
and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding,
ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.
Blessed are those servants
whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.
Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself,
have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.
And should he come in the second or third watch
and find them prepared in this way,
blessed are those servants.”

Reflection: JESUS: THE FAITHFUL SERVANT

God created Adam in Paradise and wanted him to live in intimate union with him. God gave him the greatest quality he could possibly give. He made him in his own image and likeness. He gave him free will. This is the foundation of man's greatness and dignity. It is through free will that manis responsible for whatever he does. But through Adam, sin and death entered into the world. Through Jesus, grace and eternal life came into the world. "Blessed are those servants, whom the master finds awake when he comes." In the Gospel, we have two parables on being ready for Christ. To be girded meant to be ready, prepared for immediate action. In order to explain what it means to be girded, Jesus tells a brief parable: “The servants waiting for the arrival of the master”. It demanded constant and permanent vigilance. Here in this promise of happiness, things turn upside down. The master becomes the servant and begins to serve the servants. At the Last Supper Jesus, the Lord and Master taught the same lesson. by washing the feet of his disciples. The happiness promised has something to do with the future, with happiness at the end of time. What does this mean for us today? The servants/stewards/the leaders must be faithful and ready. Secondly the faithful are called to be ready and prepared waiting for the Lord. When the Lord comes our roles will be reversed. He will serve at the banquet of eternal life. Our duty is to be ready for Him whenever he calls.