Daily Mass Readings – Thursday, 21 October 2027

19 I speak an human thing, because of the infirmity of your flesh. For as you have yielded your members to serve uncleanness and iniquity, unto iniquity; so now yield your members to serve justice, unto sanctification.

20 For when you were the servants of sin, you were free men to justice.

21 What fruit therefore had you then in those things, of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death.

22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end life everlasting.

23 For the wages of sin is death. But the grace of God, life everlasting, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

R. (Psalms 40:5) Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

1 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season. And his leaf shall not fall off: and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

4 Not so the wicked, not so: but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: and the way of the wicked shall perish.

R. Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

8-9 I consider all things so much rubbish that I may gain Christ and be found in him.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

49 I am come to cast fire on the earth; and what will I, but that it be kindled?

50 And I have a baptism wherewith I am to be baptized: and how am I straitened until it be accomplished?

51 Think ye, that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, no; but separation.

52 For there shall be from henceforth five in one house divided: three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against his father, the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother, the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Christ does not come to leave us unchanged. His fire exposes what must be surrendered and kindles a life wholly directed toward God. The apostle speaks of yielding our members—our bodies, choices, and actions—as instruments of justice rather than of sin. Grace has set us free, yet this freedom asks for a real allegiance. We cannot serve sin and expect its fruit to be life; in Christ, our obedience becomes the path toward sanctification and everlasting life.

Such a choice may bring division, even within a household. Jesus does not praise conflict, but he warns that faithfulness to him can unsettle relationships when his truth is resisted. The disciple must therefore choose Christ with courage, valuing him above every competing loyalty. The psalm gives us the image of a tree planted beside running water: a person rooted in God’s law, steady and fruitful in due season. Hope in the Lord means allowing his grace to govern our actions, especially when obedience is costly. Christ’s fire is not meant to destroy us, but to burn away our divided service and make our lives fruitful for God.

Lord Jesus, kindle in me the fire of your love. Free me from the habits and choices that lead away from you, and teach me to place every part of my life at the service of righteousness. When faithfulness brings misunderstanding or division, give me courage without harshness, conviction without pride, and charity toward all. Root me beside the living waters of your grace, so that my life may bear fruit in due season. Help me treasure you above every passing attachment and trust that your grace leads to true life. Amen.