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Today’s Scripture Reading

Readings for the Memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, Religious
Reading 1 Baruch 4:5-12, 27-29

Fear not, my people!
Remember, Israel,
You were sold to the nations
not for your destruction;
It was because you angered God
that you were handed over to your foes.
For you provoked your Maker
with sacrifices to demons, to no-gods;
You forsook the Eternal God who nourished you,
and you grieved Jerusalem who fostered you.
She indeed saw coming upon you
the anger of God; and she said:

"Hear, you neighbors of Zion!
God has brought great mourning upon me,
For I have seen the captivity
that the Eternal God has brought
upon my sons and daughters.
With joy I fostered them;
but with mourning and lament I let them go.
Let no one gloat over me, a widow,
bereft of many:
For the sins of my children I am left desolate,
because they turned from the law of God.

Fear not, my children; call out to God!
He who brought this upon you will remember you.
As your hearts have been disposed to stray from God,
turn now ten times the more to seek him;
For he who has brought disaster upon you
will, in saving you, bring you back enduring joy."

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 69:33-35, 36-37

R. (34) The Lord listens to the poor.
"See, you lowly ones, and be glad;
you who seek God, may your hearts revive!
For the LORD hears the poor,
and his own who are in bonds he spurns not.
Let the heavens and the earth praise him,
the seas and whatever moves in them!"
R. The Lord listens to the poor.
For God will save Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah.
They shall dwell in the land and own it,
and the descendants of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall inhabit it.
R. The Lord listens to the poor.

Alleluia See Matthew 11:25

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Blessed are you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth;
you have revealed to little ones the mysteries of the kingdom.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Luke 10:17-24

The seventy-two disciples returned rejoicing and said to Jesus,
"Lord, even the demons are subject to us because of your name."
Jesus said, "I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.
Behold, I have given you the power
'to tread upon serpents' and scorpions
and upon the full force of the enemy
and nothing will harm you.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice because the spirits are subject to you,
but rejoice because your names are written in heaven."

At that very moment he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said,
"I give you praise, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
for although you have hidden these things
from the wise and the learned
you have revealed them to the childlike.
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.
No one knows who the Son is except the Father,
and who the Father is except the Son
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."

Turning to the disciples in private he said,
"Blessed are the eyes that see what you see.
For I say to you,
many prophets and kings desired to see what you see,
but did not see it,
and to hear what you hear, but did not hear it."

– – –
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM

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Today’s Catholic Reflection

In the readings of today's memorial of Saint Francis of Assisi, we are reminded of the profound mercy and enduring love of God. Even when we, like the Israelites, stray from His path and provoke His anger, God never abandons us. He allows us to face the consequences of our actions, not out of spite, but to guide us back to His embrace. Our God is a God of second chances, a God who, despite our faults and failings, calls us back to Him. He is the Father who waits patiently for the prodigal son to return, ready to celebrate his homecoming.

The Gospel reaffirms this message of divine mercy and love. Jesus empowers His disciples, and by extension, all of us, to overcome the forces of evil. Yet, He reminds us that the greatest joy is not in the power we wield, but in the knowledge that our names are written in heaven. This is the promise of God's enduring love for us, a love that transcends our earthly trials and tribulations. As we reflect on these readings, let us strive to turn back to God, not out of fear, but out of love for our merciful Father. Let us rejoice in His love for us, a love so profound that it can turn our mourning into joy. Like Saint Francis of Assisi, let us strive to live a life of humility and service, always mindful of God's enduring love and mercy.

Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM

Spiritual Insights for Today:

In a significant move, President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice has filed a FACE Act lawsuit against a group that staged a protest at a synagogue in New Jersey. The FACE Act, or Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, was originally enacted to prevent obstruction and violence in relation to reproductive health services. However, it has been invoked in this instance to protect the rights of religious congregations to gather without intimidation or disruption.

In other news, Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee has expressed his willingness to grant dispensation from Mass obligations to migrants fearing deportation. This comes amid increasing concerns over the worsening situation for migrants in his archdiocese. The Archbishop’s statement reflects the Catholic Church’s ongoing commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and advocating for their rights.

Meanwhile, Pope Leo XIV has highlighted the dual nature of old age, describing it as both a gift and a challenge. He emphasized the need for a missionary pastoral response to address the spiritual and practical needs of the elderly. This statement underscores the Pope’s commitment to inclusivity and his recognition of the valuable contributions made by older members of the Catholic community.

In Spain, freedom of speech and religion are under scrutiny as Father Custodio Ballester faces prosecution for denouncing radical Islam. This case has sparked a debate on the limits of free speech and the right to religious expression, highlighting the ongoing tension between maintaining social harmony and upholding individual rights.

Finally, seminary administrators are beginning to address the downward trends in seminary enrollment. This issue has been a growing concern for the Catholic Church, and administrators are now exploring strategies to attract more individuals to the priesthood. This development underscores the Church’s commitment to ensuring the continuity of its spiritual leadership.

Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM

Saint of the Day

Saint Francis of Assisi — Patron of animals and ecology

Last updated on October 4, 2025 at 5:35 PM

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