October 29, 2023

Friends, the Books of Moses teach that the three types of Israelite law—liturgical law, ritual law, and moral law—shape and direct God’s people toward holiness and purity. While the liturgical laws have been carried over and the ritual laws largely set aside, the moral laws remain unchanged, for they represent those great abiding intuitions by which our lives should be structured.

Mass Readings

• Reading 1 — Ex 22:20-26
• Psalm — Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51
• Reading 2 — 1 Thes 1:5c-10
• Gospel — Mt 22:34-40

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Sunday Sermon

Friends, a great theme of the Bible is that of God’s chosen people. At the same time, we also see that God’s salvific plan has to do with all of humanity—and indeed with all of creation. God chooses Israel—and the New Israel, the Church—precisely for the sake of the whole world. Remembering this helps us keep the delicate balance between bland spiritual relativism and a dangerous religious tribalism.

Mass Readings

• Reading 1 — Is 45:1, 4-6
• Psalm — Ps 96:1, 3, 4-5, 7-8, 9-10
• Reading 2 — 1 Thes 1:1-5b
• Gospel — Mt 22:15-21

Discover more sermons from Bishop Barron here.

Sunday Sermon

Friends, the mountain is a great image throughout the Bible. It is the place where we go up and where God comes down to meet us. Today’s first reading from Isaiah orients us to three holy mountains of the Lord: first, the historical Mount Zion; second, its fulfillment in the heavenly Mount Zion; and third, a sort of “middle mountain” of the Mass, where we raise our minds and hearts to God, who comes to gather us, to speak his word, and to feed us.

Mass ReadingsReading 1 — Is 25:6-10a
Psalm — Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Reading 2 — Phil 4:12-14, 19-20
Gospel — Mt 22:1-14

Discover more sermons from Bishop Barron here.