Daily Readings - Fri Oct 19 2018

¹¹In him, we too are called to our portion, having been predestined in accord with the plan of the One who accomplishes all things by the counsel of his will¹²So may we be, to the praise of his glory, we who have hoped beforehand in Christ¹³In him, you also, after you heard and believed the Word of truth, which is the Gospel of your salvation, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the Promise¹⁴He is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the acquisition of redemption, to the praise of his glory

Luke

Chapter 12

¹Then, as great crowds were standing so close that they were stepping on one another, he began to say to his disciples: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy²For there is nothing covered, which will not be revealed, nor anything hidden, which will not be known³For the things that you have spoken in darkness will be declared in the light. And what you have said in the ear in bedrooms will be proclaimed from the housetops⁴So I say to you, my friends: Do not be fearful of those who kill the body, and afterwards have no more that they can do⁵But I will reveal to you whom you should fear. Fear him who, after he will have killed, has the power to cast into Hell. So I say to you: Fear him⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? And yet not one of these is forgotten in the sight of God⁷But even the very hairs of your head have all been numbered. Therefore, do not be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between God’s plan for us and our response to His call in daily life. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that we have been chosen by God, predestined in accordance with His will, and sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. This passage emphasizes that our lives are not random or without purpose; we are part of a divine plan, and everything unfolds under God’s providence. The Gospel from Luke complements this by warning us against hypocrisy and encouraging us to live with integrity, trusting in God’s care and providence rather than fearing the opinions or actions of others. The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, reassuring them of their identity as God’s chosen people. Paul wants them to understand that their faith is not just a personal choice but a calling rooted in God’s eternal plan. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is addressing his disciples, cautioning them against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and urging them to live authentically. He reminds them that nothing is hidden forever and that they should not fear those who can harm the body but have no power over the soul. Instead, they should trust in God, who knows and cares for even the smallest details of their lives. These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize living in accordance with God’s will and trusting in His plan. Ephesians calls us to recognize our dignity as children of God, while Luke’s Gospel challenges us to live with honesty and courage, free from the fear of others. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love. In daily life, this means embracing our faith with integrity, rejecting hypocrisy, and trusting that God’s providence will guide us through every challenge. Let us strive to live in such a way that we reflect the truth of who we are: beloved children of God, sealed with the Holy Spirit and called to His glory.