Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 09, 2025
Thursday – 27th Week in Ordinary Time
09th October 2025 (Thursday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Malachi 3:13-4:2a
“Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” Then those who feared the Lord spoke with one another. The Lord paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the Lord and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. “For behold, the day is coming burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings.
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6 (Psalm 40:5ab)
R/. Blessed the man who has placed his trust in the Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. Open our hearts, O Lord, that we may pay attention to the words of your Son
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Thursday – 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: Prayer is such an inexhaustible font of grace and we can never speak enough
1. Today again Jesus continues his sublime teaching on prayer. He calls us for perseverance. A sincere prayer must persevere especially when things look bleak or go upside down or all doors are shut. The two biggest challenges for prayer not to persevere are presented in the first reading and the gospel respectively.
2. One challenge is, evil prospers and good suffers. The evil-doers go on sinning, becoming arrogant and harmful. God seems to be not taking any action. So, they continue their evil ways. At the same time, the righteous seem to be fighting a lost battle and only suffering seems to be their lot. Such experiences are really upsetting and frustrating.
3. The Second challenge is that of refusal and rejection. In the gospel story, a man goes to his friend late at night seeking a little bread for his unexpected guests. Initially, his request was turned down because it was very late and all were asleep. But because of his insistence, he received what he wanted. Similarly, in our life too, the battle and struggle continue. Many a time, we do not receive what we genuinely ask for.
4. It is in such times we must deepen our trust in God’s abiding and unfailing care and justice. Jesus assures us: “If you then who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him”.
5. He will never be unjust to the righteous, those who fear God and serve Him. “Behold the day comes… He shall distinguish between the righteous and the wicked… for those who fear His name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings”.
My Practice: All that is needed is to confide and persevere in the power of prayer, in the power of intercession.
