20 October 2025 (Monday) / Ordinary Weekday/ Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest, Religious Founder

20 October 2025 (Monday)

Ordinary Weekday/ Saint Paul of the Cross, Priest, Religious Founder.

Readings from the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church:

First Reading: Romans 4: 20-25
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 69-75
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3
Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21

First Reading: Romans 4: 20-25

In the promise also of God he staggered not by distrust; but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God: Most fully knowing, that whatsoever he has promised, he is able also to perform. And therefore it was reputed to him unto justice. Now it is not written only for him, that it was reputed to him unto justice, but also for us, to whom it shall be reputed, if we believe in him, that raised up Jesus Christ, our Lord, from the dead, Who was delivered up for our sins, and rose again for our justification.

Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 69-75
R. (68) Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant: As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning.

R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us: To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament.

R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us, that being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear, in holiness and justice before him, all our days.

R. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people.

Alleluia: Matthew 5: 3
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven.
(1. Seeing the crowds, he went onto the mountain. And when he was seated his disciples came to him.
2. Then he began to speak. This is what he taught them:
3. How blessed are the poor in spirit: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4. Blessed are the gentle: they shall have the earth as inheritance.
5. Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted.
6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for uprightness: they shall have their fill.
7. Blessed are the merciful: they shall have mercy shown them.
8. Blessed are the pure in heart: they shall see God.
9. Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be recognised as children of God.
10. Blessed are those who are persecuted in the cause of uprightness: the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11. 'Blessed are you when people abuse you and persecute you and speak all kinds of calumny against you falsely on my account.
12. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven; this is how they persecuted the prophets before you).
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21

And one of the multitude said to him: Master, speak to my brother that he divide the inheritance with me. But he said to him: Man, who hath appointed me judge, or divider, over you? And he said to them: Take heed and beware of all covetousness; for a man’s life doth not consist in the abundance of things which he possesseth. And he spoke a similitude to them, saying: The land of a certain rich man brought forth plenty of fruits. And he thought within himself, saying: What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said: This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and will build greater; and into them will I gather all things that are grown to me, and my goods. And I will say to my soul: Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years take thy rest; eat, drink, make good cheer. But God said to him: Thou fool, this night do they require thy soul of thee: and whose shall those things be which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God.

For our reflection today:

The end of the parable as recounted by the Evangelist is uniquely effective: “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (v. 21). It is a warning which reveals the horizon towards which we are called to look. It is a case of leading a life that is fulfilled not according to a worldly manner, but rather according to the style of the Gospel: to love God with all one’s being, and love one’s neighbour as Jesus loved him, that is, in service and in giving oneself. Covetousness of goods, the desire to have goods, does not satisfy the heart, but rather causes more hunger! Covetousness is like those tasty candies: you take one and say: “Ah! It is so good”, and then you take another; and one follows the other. Such is covetousness: it never satisfies. Be careful! Love that is understood and lived in [the style of the Gospel] is the source of true happiness, whereas the exaggerated search for material goods and wealth is often a source of anxiety, adversity, abuse of power, war. Many wars begin from covetousness. May the Virgin Mary help us not to be attracted by forms of security that fade, but rather to be credible witnesses of the eternal values of the Gospel, each day. (Pope Francis, Angelus, 4 August 2019)

Jonathan Fabian Ginunggil,
Most High Servant,
Jesus, Mary, Joseph Ministry of Love (Blessed  and Saints and the Nine Choirs of Angels)