Catholic Homily for October 16, 2025
Stop worshiping yesterday choose a bold future
Thursday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Luke 11:47–54
Think about how we treat great people from the past. We build monuments to honor civil rights leaders, name streets after heroes, and create memorials for people who stood up for what was right.
But here’s an uncomfortable question: What do we do when someone stands up for truth right in front of us today?
Jesus points out something troubling about human nature: We love to honor the courage of people from the past, but we often reject the courage of people in the present.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus is speaking to the “lawyers” – not the kind who work in courtrooms, but religious scholars who were experts in God’s law. These were educated, respected men who knew the Scriptures inside and out.
Jesus’ Sharp Observation:
“Your ancestors killed the prophets, and you build their tombs.”
What Jesus means:
- Their ancestors rejected and even murdered God’s messengers
- Now they’re building beautiful monuments to honor those same prophets
- But they’re doing the exact same thing their ancestors did – rejecting God’s current messenger (Jesus)
Jesus identifies a pattern that happens in every generation:
What People in the Past Did:
- God sent prophets to call people back to Him
- People rejected the prophets because they didn’t want to change
- Some prophets were persecuted, imprisoned, or killed
- People convinced themselves that the prophets were troublemakers
What People Do Later:
- Time passes and people realize the prophets were right
- They feel bad about how the prophets were treated
- They build monuments and say “We would never have done that!”
- But when new prophets come, they reject them too
Two Big Problems Jesus Identifies
Problem #1: They Hold the Keys But Don’t Use Them
“You have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
What this means:
- They had access to God’s truth through studying Scripture
- But they didn’t let that truth change their own lives
- Even worse, they made it harder for other people to find God
Problem #2: They Praise Courage But Don’t Practice It
- They honored the brave prophets of the past
- But they lacked the courage to listen to God’s messenger in the present
- They preferred the safety of tradition to the risk of transformation
We also all have this same tendency:
It’s Easier to Praise Courage Than Practice It:
- We admire people like Martin Luther King Jr., but do we stand up against injustice today?
- We respect people who spoke truth to power, but do we speak up when it’s our turn?
- We honor those who sacrificed for others, but are we willing to make sacrifices?
It’s Easier to Admire Truth Than Obey It:
- We can read inspiring quotes about love and forgiveness
- But actually forgiving someone who hurt us? That’s much harder
- We can appreciate beautiful teachings about generosity
- But actually giving up something we want? That’s a different story
We Can Quote Scripture and Miss Conversion:
- We can know Bible verses by heart
- But if they don’t change how we live, we’re missing the point
- Knowledge without transformation is just decoration
We Can Defend Religion and Resist God:
- We can get very passionate about defending our beliefs
- But sometimes we use our religion to avoid what God is actually asking of us
- We can become so focused on being “right” that we forget to be loving
Jesus’ Warning is Actually Mercy
When Jesus points out these problems, He’s not trying to hurt these religious leaders – He’s trying to help them.
Why Hard Truth is a Gift:
- God unmasks our habits so we can change
- He shows us our blind spots before it’s too late
- He gives us a chance to choose a better path
The Choice He Offers:
- If we truly honor the prophets, we must receive their message
- If we hold the keys to knowledge, we must actually open doors
- If we claim to love God, we must be willing to change when He speaks
Three Faithful Works for Today
Based on Jesus’ teaching, here are three ways to avoid the trap of honoring the past while ignoring the present:
1. Listen to a Hard Truth Without Making Excuses
- When someone points out something you need to change, don’t get defensive
- When you read something challenging in Scripture, don’t explain it away
- When your conscience tells you something difficult, don’t ignore it
For Example: If someone tells you that you’ve been harsh or unfair, instead of defending yourself, ask: “How can I do better?”
2. Stand with Someone Paying a Price for Doing Right
- Look for people around you who are doing the right thing even when it costs them
- Support someone who is being criticized for standing up for what’s good
- Don’t let good people stand alone when they’re facing opposition
For Example: If someone at work or school is being picked on for doing the right thing, be their ally instead of staying silent.
3. Open One Door You Have Kept Shut
Choose one area where you’ve been avoiding what you know is right:
Ask Forgiveness:
- Apologize to someone you’ve hurt
- Admit a mistake you’ve been trying to hide
- Make things right with God or with another person
Make Repair:
- Fix something you broke (literally or figuratively)
- Pay back something you owe
- Restore a relationship you damaged
Speak Up:
- Say something that needs to be said
- Defend someone who needs defending
- Share the truth in a situation where you’ve been silent
What is the Right Way to Honor Prophets?
Jesus shows us that the real way to honor God’s messengers – both past and present – is not by building monuments or making speeches.
Honor Them by Following Jesus:
- Not with stones and speeches (monuments and pretty words)
- But with obedience and mercy (actually living what they taught)
The Beautiful Result:
“Then the Word we hear will become life in us, and others will find the door open.”
When we actually live out God’s truth:
- It becomes part of who we are – not just something we know
- Other people benefit – we become a door that helps others find God
- We stop being obstacles and start being bridges
Today’s Gospel asks us a challenging question:
Are you more comfortable honoring the heroes of the past than listening to the voice of God in the present?
Some Honest Self-Examination:
- Do I quote great spiritual teachers but avoid applying their lessons to my own life?
- Do I admire courage in others while avoiding the risks that love requires of me?
- Do I use my knowledge of faith to impress people rather than to serve God?
- Am I making it easier or harder for other people to find God?
A Simple Prayer for Today
Jesus, you spoke hard truths because you loved people enough to help them change. Give me the courage to listen when you speak to me, even when it’s uncomfortable. Help me to honor the prophets not just with my words, but with my actions. Make me a person who opens doors for others instead of closing them. Let your Word become life in me. Amen.
Finally, the best way to honor the great people of faith who came before us is not to build them monuments, but to follow their example. Listen to God’s voice today, stand with those who need support, and open the doors you’ve been keeping closed.
❤️ Thank You dear friend, hope this reflections touched you. 🙏 Please do not forget to share with your loved ones this october 16 homily.
If you like Catholic Homily for october 16, 2025, do not forget to give your comment below. And please 🫂 join our whatsapp channel for everyday 🔔 update 👇👇👇
Leave a Comment