Daily Readings - Sat Sep 21 2019
Ephesians
1And so, as a prisoner in the Lord, I beg you to walk in a manner worthy of the vocation to which you have been called2with all humility and meekness, with patience, supporting one another in charity3Be anxious to preserve the unity of the Spirit within the bonds of peace4One body and one Spirit: to this you have been called by the one hope of your calling5one Lord, one faith, one baptism6one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in us all7Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ11And 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 Christ
Matthew
9And when Jesus passed on from there, he saw, sitting at the tax office, a man named Matthew. And he said to him, "Follow me." And rising up, he followed him10And it happened that, as he was sitting down to eat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners arrived, and they sat down to eat with Jesus and his disciples11And the Pharisees, seeing this, said to his disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?12But Jesus, hearing this, said: "It is not those who are healthy who are in need of a physician, but those who have maladies13So then, go out and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the just, but sinners.
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the essence of our calling as followers of Christ and the nature of His mission. In Ephesians, we are reminded of the importance of living a life worthy of our vocation, one that is characterized by humility, patience, and unity. The passage emphasizes that each of us has been given unique gifts by God, not for our own glory, but for the building up of the body of Christ. This diversity of gifts is a reflection of the rich tapestry of the Church, where each member plays a vital role in the edification of the community. The ultimate goal is the unity of faith and the full knowledge of the Son of God, where we all reach the stature of the fullness of Christ.
In the Gospel, we encounter Jesus, who defies the expectations of the Pharisees by dining with tax collectors and sinners. This act of mercy and compassion is a powerful reminder that Christ came not for the righteous, but for those who are in need of healing and forgiveness. The Pharisees, focused on outward appearances and strict adherence to the law, fail to understand the heart of God’s mercy. Jesus’ response, “I desire mercy and not sacrifice,” cuts to the core of what it means to follow Him. It is not about external rituals or self-righteousness, but about living a life of love, compassion, and humility.
These readings challenge us to examine our own lives and relationships. Are we living in a way that reflects the unity and humility called for in Ephesians? Are we reaching out to those on the margins, as Jesus did, or are we content to remain in our comfortable circles? The call to mercy and compassion is not optional; it is at the very heart of the Gospel. Let us strive to be instruments of God’s mercy, embracing our own brokenness and recognizing the dignity of every person. In doing so, we not only build up the body of Christ but also become the hands and feet of Jesus in a world that desperately needs His love.