TWENTY-EIGHTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Wednesday

Year I

Readings

First Reading
Rom 2:1–11

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 62:2–3, 6–7, 9

Gospel
Lk 11:42–46

Meditation on Today’s Readings

Taken from the Vatican II Sunday and Weekday Missal
Written by Celia Sirois

Paul’s diatribe in today’s selection from Romans might be directed to the Pharisees and lawyers in today’s Gospel as well. Those who lord their authority over others, those who lay impossible burdens on others, those who judge others will not escape the just judgment of God, who has no favorites.

Although he does not overlook the works of the flesh (unredeemed humanity), Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians on a more positive note, listing the fruits of the Spirit. He calls these “fruits” rather than “works” in order to show that they are not human achievements, but the result of belonging to Christ and living by the Spirit. For Paul morality is not characterized by virtue, but by vitality; it comes from sharing the risen life of Jesus the Christ. Not surprisingly, the hallmark of life in the Spirit is love (agape), a term which includes both love of God and love of others.

The copyright for the Sunday Missal Introductions is:
Copyright (c) 2001, Daughters of St. Paul
The copyright for the Weekday Missal Introduction is:
Copyright (c) 2002, Daughters of St. Paul