The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present pathways to experience peace with God through our love and mercy towards His Creation.
The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans describes Abraham Justified by Faith.
* [4:1–25] This is an expanded treatment of the significance of Abraham’s faith, which Paul discusses in Gal 3:6–18; see notes there.
* [4:2–5] Rom 4:2 corresponds to Rom 4:4, and Rom 4:3–5. The Greek term here rendered credited means “made an entry.” The context determines whether it is credit or debit. Rom 4:8 speaks of “recording sin” as a debit. Paul’s repeated use of accountants’ terminology in this and other passages can be traced both to the Old Testament texts he quotes and to his business activity as a tentmaker. The commercial term in Gn 15:6, “credited it to him,” reminds Paul in Rom 4:7–8 of Ps 32:2, in which the same term is used and applied to forgiveness of sins. Thus Paul is able to argue that Abraham’s faith involved receipt of forgiveness of sins and that all believers benefit as he did through faith.
* [4:3] Jas 2:24 appears to conflict with Paul’s statement. However, James combats the error of extremists who used the doctrine of justification through faith as a screen for moral self- determination. Paul discusses the subject of holiness in greater detail than does James and beginning with Rom 6 shows how justification through faith introduces one to the gift of a new life in Christ through the power of the holy Spirit. (Romans, CHAPTER 4, n.d.)
Psalm 32 declares the forgiven are blessed.
* [Psalm 32] An individual thanksgiving and the second of the seven Penitential Psalms (cf. Ps 6). The opening declaration—the forgiven are blessed (Ps 32:1–2)—arises from the psalmist’s own experience. At one time the psalmist was stubborn and closed, a victim of sin’s power (Ps 32:3–4), and then became open to the forgiving God (Ps 32:5–7). Sin here, as often in the Bible, is not only the personal act of rebellion against God but also the consequences of that act—frustration and waning of vitality. Having been rescued, the psalmist can teach others the joys of justice and the folly of sin (Ps 32:8–11). (Psalms, PSALM 32, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus exhorts Courage Under Persecution.
* [12:1] See notes on Mk 8:15 and Mt 16:5–12.
* [12:2–9] Luke presents a collection of sayings of Jesus exhorting his followers to acknowledge him and his mission fearlessly and assuring them of God’s protection even in times of persecution. They are paralleled in Mt 10:26–33.
* [12:5] Gehenna: see note on Mt 5:22.
* [12:6] Two small coins: the Roman copper coin, the assarion (Latin as), was worth about one-sixteenth of a denarius (see note on Lk 7:41). (Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Rev. Kent Beausoleil, SJ, remembers today Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr, whose life journey, of conversion, when the Church was still young, and his seven letters he wrote concerning God’s grace and mercy. In these letters, he has this urgent appeal for the faithful he was writing to, but also for us alive today, as we pray over his letters to always remain steadfast in faith because the grace of God for us, God’s creation, is limitless.
Jesus, in our Gospel passage from Luke for the day, encourages his disciples, and the people of God gathered to listen (us), about this limitless living grace of God, as well. In the symbolism of sparrows in challenging life circumstances, or hairs on ones’ head being counted, we are called to never, ever, EVER fear, nor forget that God’s grace, displayed in God’s never-ending love, is a love that pours out to me, and to you with the Spirit of graciousness. In that divine grace and love, we find our worth glorified. And that, my friends, is indeed a great, awesome, and beautiful truth – and for this we give thanks! (Beausoleil, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Comfort for those who doubt God's providence in Christ,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD)
"To bestow yet another means of comfort on our minds, he forcibly added that five sparrows are scarcely perhaps worth a penny, and yet God does not forget even one of them. He also said that the separate hairs of your head are all numbered. Consider how great care he takes of those that love him. The Preserver of the universe extends his aid to things so worthless and descends to the smallest animals. How can he forget those who love him, especially when he takes so great care of them? He condescends to visit them, to know exactly each particular of their state, and even how many are the hairs of their heads... Let us not doubt that with a rich hand he will give his grace to those who love him. He will not permit us to fall into temptation. If, by his wise purpose he permits us to be taken in the snare in order that we may gain glory by suffering, he will most assuredly grant us the power to bear it." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 87) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Romans 4:1-8 comments that God loves us simply because we are his. We experience the forgiveness that Jesus won for us on the cross. Trusting in his promise of redemption and relying on his prayer, “Father, forgive,” we are released from guilt (Luke 23:34). We are convinced that no sin is strong enough to overcome the power of his cross.
We experience the joy that comes from the Holy Spirit’s presence in us. The Spirit, who teaches us to cry out, “Abba, Father!” takes everything Jesus taught and “declare[s] it” to us (Galatians 4:6; John 16:14). He makes Jesus’ words come alive in us and makes them the very foundation of our lives (John 16:14).
So believe in the Lord! Reach out to him in faith and let him shower you with his gift of righteousness!
“Lord, give me the faith of Abraham!” (Meditation on Romans 4:1-8, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that, in Romans 4, Paul presents being justified by faith in a midrash like argument citing Abraham “at peace with God”. Believing in the Love shown through the Cross we experience God’s Love. We have to live in that faith. We have to work out our faith and live what we say. The Gospel warns be careful of the leaven, hypocrisy, of the Pharisees. We have to live what we say. We have to accept and love people. God watches over everything. Nothing escapes God. God wants us to do the right thing because we need it. Friar Jude reminds us that we need to change our ways.
Fr. Mike Schmitz guides us through Judas Maccabeus' last battle, his death, and his succession. We learn that part of Judas and Jonathan's victory involved fighting fellow Jews living in the land who were not living according to God's laws. Fr. Mike points out that when the enemy is in the inside, it is especially heartbreaking. Today's readings are 1 Maccabees 9, Sirach 24-25, and Proverbs 23:1-4.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Dr. Charon Hribar who describe crises as opportunities to work for justice, as Jesus did. The Freedom Church of the Poor provides resources to empower prophetic and hopeful movements for justice.
Drawing strength from these biblical principles, the Freedom Church of the Poor tradition teaches us to stand up for one another, care for the least of these, and dismantle laws that perpetuate injustice. If we believe that God stands with the oppressed and that Jesus preached liberation, then collective action by those most impacted by injustice is imperative. By taking collective action with and as poor and dispossessed people, we bridge our spiritual convictions and our hunger for transformative change….
In the Freedom Church of the Poor tradition, we envision a world where every life is sacred and every need is met. This vision challenges the normalization of injustice and the valuing of profit over people. Through nonviolent, moral direct action—marches, boycotts, sit-ins, and more—we reject the status quo and reclaim the moral narrative. We create spaces where justice is reimagined and a moral revolution of values becomes irresistible. (Rohr, n.d.)
We rely on the Guidance of the Spirit as we act with Grace to advocate for changes that will bring us to peace with God and transformation of our hypocrisy and self focus.
References
Beausoleil, K. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-17-2025
Luke, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/12?1
Meditation on Romans 4:1-8. (n.d.). Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/16/1408282/
Psalms, PSALM 32. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/32?1
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/carriers-of-the-gospel/
Romans, CHAPTER 4. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/4?1
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Net. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 17, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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