Daily Readings - Wed Oct 31 2018
Ephesians
1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just2Honor your father and your mother. This is the first commandment with a promise3so that it may be well with you, and so that you may have a long life upon the earth4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but educate them with the discipline and correction of the Lord5Servants, be obedient to your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ6Do not serve only when seen, as if to please men, but act as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart7Serve with good will, as to the Lord, and not to men8For you know that whatever good each one will do, the same will he receive from the Lord, whether he is servant or free9And you, lords, act similarly toward them, setting aside threats, knowing that the Lord of both you and them is in heaven. For with him there is no favoritism toward anyone
Luke
22And he was traveling through the cities and towns, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem23And someone said to him, "Lord, are they few who are saved?" But he said to them24"Strive to enter through the narrow gate. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and not be able25Then, when the father of the family will have entered and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us.’ And in response, he will say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.26Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.27And he will say to you: ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity!28In that place, there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, yet you yourselves are expelled outside29And they will arrive from the East, and the West, and the North, and the South; and they will recline at table in the kingdom of God30And behold, those who are last will be first, and those who are first will be last.
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore two interconnected themes that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Ephesians emphasizes the importance of living virtuously within our relationships. It calls for children to obey their parents, fathers to nurture their children with kindness, servants to serve with sincerity, and masters to treat their servants with fairness. This passage underscores the value of mutual respect and trust in God's plan, where our actions are seen as service to Christ, promising that our good deeds will be rewarded.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to the ultimate judgment, where Jesus speaks about the narrow gate. He warns that merely knowing Him or being part of a community isn't sufficient for salvation. Jesus emphasizes that many will seek entry but will be turned away, highlighting that true faith requires more than superficial association. He illustrates that people from all walks of life will join the kingdom, and the last will be first, challenging our assumptions about who is worthy.
Together, these readings remind us that our daily lives must reflect the teachings of Christ. The virtues outlined in Ephesians—obedience, kindness, and fairness—are not just social norms but essential for our spiritual journey. Jesus' narrow gate is not just a metaphor but a call to action, urging us to live a life that truly embodies His message. The moral lesson here is clear: salvation is not guaranteed by association but by living a life that mirrors Christ's teachings. Let us strive to live virtuously, trusting in God's grace, and not take our place in the kingdom for granted.