Daily Readings - Sat Oct 27 2018
Ephesians
7Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ8Because of this, he says: "Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.9Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descend, first to the lower parts of the earth10He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything11And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers12for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ13until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ14So may we then no longer be little children, disturbed and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the wickedness of men, and by the craftiness which deceives unto error15Instead, acting according to truth in charity, we should increase in everything, in him who is the head, Christ himself16For in him, the whole body is joined closely together, by every underlying joint, through the function allotted to each part, bringing improvement to the body, toward its edification in charity
Luke
1And there were present, at that very time, some who were reporting about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices2And responding, he said to them: "Do you think that these Galileans must have sinned more than all other Galileans, because they suffered so much3No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish similarly4And those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they also were greater transgressors than all the men living in Jerusalem5No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, you will all perish similarly.6And he also told this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree, which was planted in his vineyard. And he came seeking fruit on it, but found none7Then he said to the cultivator of the vineyard: ‘Behold, for these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Therefore, cut it down. For why should it even occupy the land?8But in response, he said to him: ‘Lord, let it be for this year also, during which time I will dig around it and add fertilizer9And, indeed, it should bear fruit. But if not, in the future, you shall cut it down.’
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on our roles within the Christian community and our personal journey towards spiritual growth. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that each of us has been given unique gifts and talents, entrusted to us by God. These gifts are not for personal gain but for the edification of the body of Christ, fostering unity and maturity in faith. The context is St. Paul addressing the early church, emphasizing that each member plays a vital role in the community's growth. The church is called to move beyond childish ways, swayed by every doctrine, and instead grow in love and truth.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching about repentance and God's patience. He uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that each of us is given time to bear spiritual fruit. The fig tree, symbolizing each believer, is nurtured and given opportunities to produce fruit, reflecting our responsibility to use our gifts wisely. The connection between the readings lies in the emphasis on stewardship and purpose. Ephesians highlights our roles, while Luke underscores the need for fruitful living, reminding us that our gifts must be used to bear fruit in service and love.
In our daily lives, this calls us to reflect on how we use our talents and gifts. We are encouraged to avoid complacency and instead strive for continuous spiritual growth. The moral lesson is clear: we are stewards of God's grace, called to repentance and fruitful living. As we go about our days, let us remember that our actions have consequences and that we are given time to grow. May we embrace our roles, seek spiritual nourishment, and produce fruit that reflects God's love, living with purpose and humility.