Daily Readings - Tue Oct 23 2018
Ephesians
12and that you were, in that time, without Christ, being foreign to the way of life of Israel, being visitors to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and being without God in this world13But now, in Christ Jesus, you, who were in times past far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ14For he is our peace. He made the two into one, by dissolving the intermediate wall of separation, of opposition, by his flesh15emptying the law of commandments by decree, so that he might join these two, in himself, into one new man, making peac16and reconciling both to God, in one body, through the cross, destroying this opposition in himself17And upon arriving, he evangelized peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near18For by him, we both have access, in the one Spirit, to the Father19Now, therefore, you are no longer visitors and new arrivals. Instead, you are citizens among the saints in the household of God20having been built upon the foundation of the Apostles and of the Prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the preeminent cornerstone21In him, all that has been built is framed together, rising up into a holy temple in the Lord22In him, you also have been built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit
Luke
35Let your waists be girded, and let lamps be burning in your hands36And let you yourselves be like men awaiting their lord, when he will return from the wedding; so that, when he arrives and knocks, they may open to him promptly37Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he returns, will find being vigilant. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, while he, continuing on, will minister to them38And if he will return in the second watch, or if in the third watch, and if he will find them to be so: then blessed are those servants
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the profound unity and purpose that Christ brings into our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul speaks of a time when Gentiles were far from God, without hope or a covenant. But through Christ, this division was bridged, and all people—Jews and Gentiles alike—were united into one body. Christ’s sacrifice destroyed the walls of hostility and made us citizens of God’s household, built on the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes that our faith is not just individual but communal; we are part of a living temple where God dwells.
In the Gospel, Luke presents a parable about vigilant servants waiting for their master’s return. Jesus urges us to be prepared, with our “lamps burning” and our “waists girded,” ready to open the door promptly when he comes. The servants who are found watchful and faithful are blessed, and the master himself will serve them. This teaching calls us to live with a sense of expectation and readiness, not out of fear, but out of love and fidelity. It reminds us that our lives are not our own; we are called to be attentive and faithful stewards of the gifts and responsibilities God has entrusted to us.
These readings are deeply connected. The unity and peace Christ brings, as described in Ephesians, are the foundation for the vigilant and purposeful living encouraged in Luke. To live as children of God, united in Christ, means embracing a life of readiness and service. We are called to be alert to God’s presence in our lives and to use our time and talents wisely, knowing that we are part of a larger household. May we strive to live with gratitude for the unity Christ has given us and with the faithfulness and vigilance that reflects our hope in him.