Gospel: October 15, 2025
October 15, 2025 (Wednesday)
28th Week in Ordinary Time
Psalter: Week 4 / (White)
St. Teresa of Avila, virgin and doctor
Ps 62:2-3, 6-7, 9
Lord, you give back to everyone according to his works.
1st Reading: Romans 2:1-11
Therefore, you have no excuse, whoever you are, if you are able to judge others. For, in judging your neighbor, you condemn yourself, for you practice what you are judging. We know, that the condemnation of God will justly reach those who commit these things, and do you think that by condemning others, you will escape from the judgment of God, you, who are doing the same? This would be taking advantage of God, and his infinite goodness, patience and understanding; and not to realize that, his goodness is in order to lead you to conversion. If your heart becomes hard and you refuse to change, then you are storing for yourself a great punishment on the day of judgment, when God will appear as just judge. He will give each one his due, according to his actions. He will give everlasting life to those who seek glory, honor and immortality, and persevere in doing good. But anger and vengeance will be the lot of those who do not serve truth, but injustice. There will be suffering and anguish, for everyone committing evil, first the Jew, then the Greek. But God will give glory, honor and peace to whoever does good, first, the Jew, then, the Greek, because one is not different from the other before God.
Gospel: Luke 11:42-46
A curse is on you, Pharisees! To the temple you give a tenth of all, including mint and rue and other herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. These ought to be practiced, without neglecting the other obligations. A curse is on you, Pharisees, for you love the best seats in the synagogues and to be greeted in the marketplace. A curse is on you, for you are like tombstones of the dead which can hardly be seen; people don’t notice them, and make themselves unclean by stepping on them.” Then a teacher of the law spoke up and said, “Master, when you speak like this, you insult us, too.” And Jesus answered, “A curse is on you also, teachers of the law. For you prepare unbearable burdens and load them on the people, while you yourselves do not move a finger to help them.
Reflection:
“They neglect justice and the love of God.”
Saint Teresa of Avila makes repeated use of descuido in her writings. The word means “abandon” or “neglect.” Teresa would have us abandon our preoccupation with self so that the soul can take flight to God. Focusing on God makes our love grow, that is, both our love for God and our neighbor. Thus, Saint Teresa teaches that true prayer increases our love and produces an abundance of good works. The other side of the coin is a neglect of God or of the habits that lead to God. Teresa warns against neglecting mental prayer and compassion. Likewise, we should never neglect to cultivate humility. Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for this attitude, since they “neglect justice and the love of God,” while focusing their attention on unnecessary religious practices. Scripture only prescribed that a tithe should be offered on larger items, such as grain, wine, oil and flocks (Deut 14:23), but the Pharisees make a point of even offering tithes on herbs and spices. They make a show of fastidious practice of their religion, but fail to devote their heart to God or to have compassion for others. Self-serving prayer is fruitless. Let us never neglect the love of God.
