The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today alert us to the danger of idolatry as our focus in life as we are exhorted to be generous with our time and talent in service of others.
The Reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans proclaims God’s Power for Salvation and the Punishment of Idolaters.
* [1:16–17] The principal theme of the letter is salvation through faith. I am not ashamed of the gospel: Paul is not ashamed to proclaim the gospel, despite the criticism that Jews and Gentiles leveled against the proclamation of the crucified savior; cf. 1 Cor 1:23–24. Paul affirms, however, that it is precisely through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus that God’s saving will and power become manifest. Jew first (cf. Rom 2:9–10) means that Jews especially, in view of the example of Abraham (Rom 4), ought to be the leaders in the response of faith.
* [1:17] In it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith: the gospel centers in Jesus Christ, in whom God’s saving presence and righteousness in history have been made known. Faith is affirmation of the basic purpose and meaning of the Old Testament as proclamation of divine promise (Rom 1:2; 4:13) and exposure of the inability of humanity to effect its salvation even through covenant law. Faith is the gift of the holy Spirit and denotes acceptance of salvation as God’s righteousness, that is, God’s gift of a renewed relationship in forgiveness and power for a new life. Faith is response to God’s total claim on people and their destiny. The one who is righteous by faith will live: see note on Heb 2:4.
* [1:18–3:20] Paul aims to show that all humanity is in a desperate plight and requires God’s special intervention if it is to be saved.
* [1:18–32] In this passage Paul uses themes and rhetoric common in Jewish-Hellenistic mission proclamation (cf. Wis 13:1–14:31) to indict especially the non-Jewish world. The close association of idolatry and immorality is basic, but the generalization needs in all fairness to be balanced against the fact that non-Jewish Christian society on many levels displayed moral attitudes and performance whose quality would challenge much of contemporary Christian culture. Romans themselves expressed abhorrence over devotion accorded to animals in Egypt. Paul’s main point is that the wrath of God does not await the end of the world but goes into action at each present moment in humanity’s history when misdirected piety serves as a facade for self-interest.
* [1:18] The wrath of God: God’s reaction to human sinfulness, an Old Testament phrase that expresses the irreconcilable opposition between God and evil (see Is 9:11, 16, 18, 20; 10:4; 30:27). It is not contrary to God’s universal love for his creatures, but condemns Israel’s turning aside from the covenant obligations. Hosea depicts Yahweh as suffering intensely at the thought of having to punish Israel (Hos 11:8–9). God’s wrath was to be poured forth especially on the “Day of Yahweh” and thus took on an eschatological connotation (see Zep 1:15).
* [1:24] In order to expose the depth of humanity’s rebellion against the Creator, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts. Instead of curbing people’s evil interests, God abandoned them to self-indulgence, thereby removing the facade of apparent conformity to the divine will. Subsequently Paul will show that the Mosaic law produces the same effect; cf. Rom 5:20; 7:13–24. The divine judgment expressed here is related to the theme of hardness of heart described in Rom 9:17–18. (Romans, CHAPTER 1, n.d.)
Psalm 19 proclaims the creator’s wisdom is available to human beings.
* [Psalm 19] The heavenly elements of the world, now beautifully arranged, bespeak the power and wisdom of their creator (Ps 19:2–7). The creator’s wisdom is available to human beings in the law (Ps 19:8–11), toward which the psalmist prays to be open (Ps 19:12–14). The themes of light and speech unify the poem. (Psalms, PSALM 19, n.d.)
The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus Denunciation of the Pharisees and Scholars of the Law.
* [11:37–54] This denunciation of the Pharisees (Lk 11:39–44) and the scholars of the law (Lk 11:45–52) is set by Luke in the context of Jesus’ dining at the home of a Pharisee. Controversies with or reprimands of Pharisees are regularly set by Luke within the context of Jesus’ eating with Pharisees (see Lk 5:29–39; 7:36–50; 14:1–24). A different compilation of similar sayings is found in Mt 23 (see also notes there). (Luke, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Tom Lenz asks “When I “feed” the poor with food, clothing, presence, and spirit, is it because I am genuinely interested in having a relational exchange with them, or is it something else?”
I think this is what Jesus is saying. Having a genuine intention toward the good, both inside and out, makes for a genuinely shiny cup. And our deepest selves seem to know this. As the Alleluia said, “The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart.” Because within the heart comes genuine intention. In the last line of Luke’s gospel, Jesus said, “But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.” If how we do anything has genuine intent toward the good, then we will be clean (well) because this is how we will do everything. (Lenz, n.d.)
Don Schwager quotes “Acts of mercy are examples of almsgiving,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"What our Lord says, 'Give alms, and behold, all things are clean to you,' applies to all useful acts of mercy. It does not apply just to the one who gives food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, hospitality to the wayfarer or refuge to the fugitive. It also applies to one who visits the sick and the prisoner, redeems the captive, bears the burdens of the weak, leads the blind, comforts the sorrowful, heals the sick, shows the erring the right way, gives advice to the perplexed, and does whatever is needful for the needy. Not only does this person give alms, but the person who forgives the trespasser also gives alms as well. He is also a giver of alms who, by blows or other discipline, corrects and restrains those under his command. At the same time he forgives from the heart the sin by which he has been wronged or offended or prays that it be forgiven the offender. Such a person gives alms not only because he forgives and prays but also because he rebukes and administers corrective punishment, since in this he shows mercy... There are many kinds of alms. When we do them, we are helped in receiving forgiveness of our own sins." (excerpt from ENCHIRIDION 19.72) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:37-41 comments that being free of the urge to put yourself first and being delivered from a strong attachment to your possessions—it sounds a lot like the way Jesus lived, doesn’t it? That’s the fruit of almsgiving: it opens you up to the Holy Spirit’s cleansing work and makes you more like Jesus.
Jesus loves to see you trusting in his ability to provide for you as you show generosity to the needy around you. He sees the double blessing of your faith: you are blessing someone else and you are opening yourself to his power to cleanse your heart—from the inside out!
“Lord, cleanse my heart to make me more like you.” (Meditation on Luke 11:37-41, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler notes that in the reading from Romans, Paul begins his major topic declaring that all deserve to be punished. He cites they began to worship the creatures in the universe and in line with “as the sin so with the punishment”. Sin denies the dignity in which God made us. This is what happened to the Gentiles and later the Jews making all guilty in the eyes of God. Jesus does not wash before the meal, it is not technically required, but the Pharisees assert that eating is like worship and become scrupulous with legal restraints. Friar Jude reminds us about transforming our hearts In acts of charity as we become children of the Father in heaven.
Fr. Mike Schmitz illustrates the story of Eleazar and the abandonment of peace terms between the Jews and the Greeks. He also recognizes the pain that children and family members who don’t follow the Lord can bring about, and uses wisdom from Sirach to address this prevalent struggle. Today’s readings are 1 Maccabees 6, Sirach 16-18, and Proverbs 22:17-21.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, recalls Dr. Barbara Holmes (1943–2024) who invited students to reflect on Jesus’ prophetic tasks.
Prophecy is a spiritual gift. Paul wrote about the gift of prophecy in his letter to the Romans. He said, “We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us … prophecy in proportion to faith” (Romans 12:6). Although prophecy is mentioned more than any other gift in the Bible, it’s also stated that prophecy will pass away, and the only thing left will be love.… Prophecy comes to life as love. Jesus the prophet is love manifested. We also can be love manifested in the world.…
You may be thinking, “How am I going to walk on water? I don’t even know how to swim.” We offer our gifts to God and our neighbors—that’s how we walk on water. Your gift may be prayer or art or business or teaching, but the prophetic call will hone your gifts so that your very lives are a prophetic witness to the world. (Rohr, n.d.)
The Spirit empowers the gifts of our talents to be used to transform our environment through acts of faith, hope, and love in service of the people we encounter on our journey.
References
Lenz, T. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-october-14-2025
Luke, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?37
Meditation on Luke 11:37-41. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/10/12/1405661/
Psalms, PSALM 19. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/19?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Can We Be Prophets Like Jesus? Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/can-we-be-prophets-like-jesus/
Romans, CHAPTER 1. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/1?16
Schwager, D. (n.d.). What Makes the Heart Clean and Holy? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved October 14, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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