Friday October 16, 2026, Weekday (28) St. Hedwig Religious (Opt. Mem.), St. Margaret Mary Alacoque, Virgin (Opt. Mem.) FIRST READING We first hoped in Christ, and you were sealed with the Holy Spirit. *A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1:11-14)* Brethren: In Christ, according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will, we who first hoped in Christ have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. The word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 33:1-2.4-5.12-13 (R. 12b) R/. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage. Ring out your joy to the Lord, O you just; for praise is fitting for the upright. Give thanks to the Lord upon the harp; with a ten-stringed lute sing him songs. R/. For the word of the Lord is faithful, and all his works to be trusted. The Lord loves justice and right, and his merciful love fills the earth. R/. R/. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen as his heritage. Blessed the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he has chosen as his heritage. From the heavens the Lord looks forth; he sees all the children of men. R/. ALLELUIA Psalm 33:22 Alleluia. May your merciful love be upon us, as we hope in you, O Lord. Alleluia. GOSPEL “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” *A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 12:1-7)* At that time: When so many thousands of the multitude had gathered together that they trod upon one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear him! Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And trot one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” The Gospel of the Lord. TODAY’S REFLECTION Paul bears witness to the truth that those who witness to Christ and believe in him have been destined and appointed to live for the praise of his glory. What a unique privilege that has been granted to those who believe! This is the blessedness of the people that the Lord has chosen as his heritage. Just as we look forward constantly to this great heritage, we must also be mindful of living hypocritical lives – lives that are not rooted in truth but are influenced by empty praises by men. Having in mind that God has full knowledge of our every action, we must therefore be guided by the principle of truth that is pure. God does not forget his own, every hair in your head is known by him! So fear not even when the immediate outcome of living out the truth seems not to be pleasant and rewarding. Jesus, I trust in you. Today’s Saint and Quote: ST GERARD – October 16th -Who except God can give you peace? Has the world ever been able to satisfy the heart? PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL (30-Day Devotional to St. Joseph) Day 16 – REFUGE OF SINNERS Reflection: Joseph reflects God’s mercy and patience toward sinners. Meditation: Psalm 103:8 Let us pray; St. Joseph, intercede for my conversion and healing. Amen.
Saturday October 10, 2026, Weekday (27) FIRST READING “You are all sons of God, through faith.” *A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Galatians (Galatians 3:22-29)* Brethren: The Scripture consigned all things to sin, that what was promised to faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptised into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. The word of the Lord. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 105:2-3.4-5.6-7(R. 8a) R/. The Lord remembers his covenant forever. Or: Alleluia. O sing to him, sing his praise; tell all his wonderful works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts that seek the Lord rejoice. R/. Turn to the Lord and his strength; constantly seek his face. Remember the wonders he has done, his marvels and his words of judgement. R/. R/. The Lord remembers his covenant forever. Or: Alleluia. O children of Abraham, his servant, O descendants of the Jacob he chose, he, the Lord, is our God; his judgements are in all the earth. R/. ALLELUIA Luke 11:28 Alleluia. Blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it. Alleluia. GOSPEL “Blessed is the womb that bore you! Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God. ” *A reading from tire holy Gospel according to Luke (Luke 11:27-28)* At that time: As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” The Gospel of the Lord. TODAY’S REFLECTION As we come to the end of the week, our consciousness is drawn distinctions nor status distinctions in this great family of Jesus Christ. This teaching seems far from reality in the church and society today. Often we fall into the error of wanting to categorize people in our relationship with them. By so doing, we bring more lines of division rather than bonds of love. The basis of all that Jesus taught is love and the admiration of this prompted the woman in the gospel text to exclaim thus, “Blessed is the womb that bore you”. This also can be said of us when we respond positively to Jesus’ to the fact that we are all one in the love of Christ. Paul emphasizes this by stating that there are no tribal distinctions, gender teaching of love. PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL (30-Day Devotional to St. Joseph) Day 10 – MODEL OF HUMILITY Reflection: Joseph lived a hidden life, content to serve without recognition. Meditation: Luke 2:52 Let us pray; O humble St. Joseph, teach me humility and faithful service. Amen.