Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection November 03, 2025
Monday – 31st Week in Ordinary Time
03th November 2025 (Monday)
Psalter: Week 3
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Romans 11:29-36
Brethren: The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counsellor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory for ever. Amen.
Psalm 69:30-31, 33-34, 36-37 (R. 14c)
R/. In your great mercy, answer me, O Lord.
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciple, and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 14:12-14
At that time: Jesus said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
Daily Gospel Reflection
Monday – 31st Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: There is an overriding spirit of receiving, grabbing, and profiting. The spirit of giving and sharing is declining
1. We are dominated by a culture of calculation, accumulation, and manipulation. Behind every move and action in life, there is a pre-thought of estimating and evaluating the gain and the loss. Against such a mentality, today Jesus advocates the spirit of giving without expecting a return and repayment.
2. He uses the simple metaphor of a dinner or banquet. It is quite normal that we invite our friends or relatives or who are important to us in terms of position or usefulness. There is always an element of expectation. It may not be always a material benefit but at least in terms of maintaining goodwill, and receiving recognition and appreciation.
3. Here the point is not about whom to invite or not to invite. It is also not a directive to stop inviting all our near and dear ones. Rather, it is a call to purify our spirit of giving. Give selflessly without any self-interest. Give with real concern for the needs of others. Give with a genuine spirit of generosity and sharing.
4. The reason for giving is not self-interest or self-orientation but is other-orientedness. The first reading makes this very clear. St Paul exhorts us: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit… Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others”
5. At times we may also give or organise something in order to display our greatness, make a show, and good impressions. There can be an implicit feeling to show our importance. That is why St Paul reminds us, “In humility count others more significant than yourselves”
My Practice: Let every action of ours proceed from a sincere love for Christ, and a fraternal spirit of accord and benevolence
