Daily Readings - Fri Oct 05 2018
Job
12Did you, after your birth, command the birth of the sun and show the sunrise its place13And did you hold the extremities of the earth, shaking them, and have you shaken the impious out of it14The seal will be restored like clay, and it will remain in place like a garment15From the impious, the light will be taken away, and the exalted arm will be broken16Have you entered the depths of the sea, and have you taken a walk in the uttermost parts of the abyss17Have the gates of death been opened to you, and have you seen the doors of darkness18Have you considered the breadth of the earth? If you know all things, reveal them to me19Which is the way that holds the light, and which is the place of darkness20In this way, you might lead each thing to its final place, and understand the paths of its house21So then, did you know when you were to be born? And did you know the number of your days
Luke
13Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that have been wrought in you, had been wrought in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in haircloth and ashes14Yet truly, Tyre and Sidon will be forgiven more in the judgment than you will be15And as for you, Capernaum, who would be exalted even up to Heaven: you shall be submerged into Hell16Whoever hears you, hears me. And whoever despises you, despises me. And whoever despises me, despises him who sent me.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on humility and accountability. The first reading from Job depicts a moment of divine confrontation, where God questions Job about the creation of the world and natural phenomena. Job, humbled by the realization of his own limitations, responds with a deep sense of awe and repentance, acknowledging his place before the Almighty. This passage reminds us of the vastness of God's power and our own finite understanding, urging us to approach life with humility.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus' reproach of the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities, despite witnessing miracles, failed to repent. Jesus highlights that their accountability is greater due to the opportunities they had, contrasting them with Tyre and Sidon, which would have repented under similar circumstances. This passage underscores the theme of accountability and the consequences of rejecting God's grace.
Both readings tie together through the themes of humility and response to God's presence. Job's humility in the face of divine questioning mirrors the call to repentance in the Gospel. In our daily lives, we are reminded to recognize the blessings and signs God provides. We must approach life with gratitude and humility, acknowledging our limitations and God's sovereignty. The moral lesson is clear: we must respond to God's grace with openness and a willingness to change, avoiding the spiritual complacency that leads to downfall. Let us seek to live in accordance with God's will, embracing humility and repentance as we navigate our faith journey.