Sunday 22 October 2028

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)

First Reading - Genesis 32.22-30

A reading from the book of Genesis. While it was still dark, Jacob led his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, to the place where they could cross the river Jabbok. Jacob sent them across ahead of him, with everything they had; until only Jacob remained. And there, someone wrestled with Jacob until daybreak. And still failing to overpower Jacob, the one who was wrestling with Jacob finally struck Jacob on the hip, putting it out of joint, and said, ‘Let me go, for it is nearly daybreak.’ But Jacob said, ‘I will not let you go, unless you bless me.’ The one who had wrestled with Jacob asked Jacob his name, and then said, ‘You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel,’ (which means ‘wrestling with God’), ‘for you have wrestled with God, and with mortals, and you have prevailed.’ And Jacob said, ‘Now tell me your name.’ But the one who had wrestled with Jacob said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ So Jacob called the place Peniel, (which means ‘the face of God’) saying, ‘I have seen God, face to face, and yet I live.’ This is the word of the Lord.

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 4.2-5

A reading from the second letter of Paul to Timothy. Preach the word of God, with patience, and persistence, both when it is received with joy, and when it is not. Teach and encourage, persuade and challenge, even argue and debate, for there will be times when people turn away from the truth to go chasing after fantasies, listening to teachers who will say whatever it is they want to hear. Continue then all the more in the work that God has called you to do. Keep a clear mind in every situation; endure through every hardship; and proclaim the good news! This is the word of the Lord.

Gospel - Luke 18.1-8a

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Jesus said, ‘In a city, there was a judge, who respected neither God nor the people. In the same city, there was a widow, who kept on coming to the judge, saying, “Grant me justice against my opponent!” At first, the judge refused. But eventually, the judge said to himself, “I respect neither God nor the people, but because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, before she wears me out.”’ And Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Keep on praying, and do not lose heart. For God will surely grant justice, and quickly, to God’s chosen ones, who call out to God, night and day.’ This is the Gospel of the Lord.