Catholic Mass Readings and Reflection October 15, 2025
Wednesday – 28th Week in Ordinary Time
15th October 2025 (Wednesday)
Psalter: Week 4
Readings of the Day
First Reading: Romans 2:1-11
You have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.
Psalm 62:2-3, 6-7, 9 R. (13b)
R/. O Lord, you repay each man according to his deeds
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; and I know them, and they follow me.
R/. Alleluia
Gospel: Luke 11:42-46
At that time: Jesus said, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you! For you are like unmarked graves, and people walk over them without knowing it.” One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.” And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Wednesday – 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Main Point: There is no doubt that God is boundlessly kind, patient, and merciful. But all this must lead us to sincere repentance and a change of life. One shall not forget the righteous judgment of God!
1. In the first reading from Rom 2. 1-11, Paul speaks of judging and condemning others. He warns that it will incur God’s wrath and judgment. The reason is that it lacks charity. Besides, those who do that do the very same things for which they accuse others. Thus, the lack of charity and authenticity makes one liable to God’s righteous judgment.
2. God is infinitely benevolent and forbearing. But this should not lead one to take His mercy for granted. Rather, God’s goodness must lead us to deep sincerity to acknowledge our own sinfulness. The judgmental attitude is a clear sign that one lacks this honesty and humility.
3. In the light of the gospel, it is nothing but hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is one thing that Jesus could never tolerate. He would understand and forgive even the greatest sinner and weakness, but not hypocrites.
4. In the gospel, he rebukes the Pharisees and scribes for this hypocrisy. He exposes a series of its layers. One is, they insist on external religious obligations like the tithe, but they totally neglect the more important precepts like justice and the love of God.
5. Second, they lack humility and seek self-glory by craving the best honours. The third is, they are like graves that symbolise lifelessness and emptiness, but are hidden underneath. Fourth, they are so demanding and exacting toward others, loading others with hard and unbearable burdens, but they are so lenient and self-indulgent toward themselves. They do not do what they demand others to do.
6. What then is the remedy? First of all, we must become deeply conscious about God’s righteous judgment: He will render to every man according to his works; He shows no partiality based on worldly honours or even religious allegiances.
7. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, but glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good. Therefore, shun hypocrisy; melt the hard and impenitent heart. Stir up sincere repentance and change your life.
8. St Teresa of Avila, whom we commemorate today, exemplifies this divine simplicity, authenticity and courage. Amidst tempestuous trials, she stood firm to reform her Carmelite order. This strength she derived from her intimate mystical experiences of the Lord.
My Practice: The fact that we belong to Christianity and perform some religious obligations, or that we occupy some honours, or that we have great knowledge and even teach, guide and rule over others, is no guarantee of a favourable judgment of God. All that matters is a repentant heart and a transformed life!
