Daily Readings - Thu Oct 17 2019
Romans
21But now, without the law, the justice of God, to which the law and the prophets have testified, has been made manifest22And the justice of God, through the faith of Jesus Christ, is in all those and over all those who believe in him. For there is no distinction23For all have sinned and all are in need of the glory of God24We have been justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus25whom God has offered as a propitiation, through faith in his blood, to reveal his justice for the remission of the former offenses26and by the forbearance of God, to reveal his justice in this time, so that he himself might be both the Just One and the Justifier of anyone who is of the faith of Jesus Christ27So then, where is your self-exaltation? It is excluded. Through what law? That of works? No, but rather through the law of faith28For we judge a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law29Is God of the Jews only and not also of the Gentiles? On the contrary, of the Gentiles also30For One is the God who justifies circumcision by faith and uncircumcision through faith
Luke
47Woe to you, who build the tombs of the prophets, while it is your fathers who killed them48Clearly, you are testifying that you consent to the actions of your fathers, because even though they killed them, you build their sepulchers49Because of this also, the wisdom of God said: I will send to them Prophets and Apostles, and some of these they will kill or persecute50so that the blood of all the Prophets, which has been shed since the foundation of the world, may be charged against this generation51from the blood of Abel, even to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. So I say to you: it will be required of this generation52Woe to you, experts in the law! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves do not enter, and those who were entering, you would have prohibited.53Then, while he was saying these things to them, the Pharisees and the experts in the law began to insist strongly that he restrain his mouth about many things54And waiting to ambush him, they sought something from his mouth that they might seize upon, in order to accuse him
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of divine justice, human hypocrisy, and the call to authentic faith. The first reading from Romans emphasizes that God's justice is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, not through the law. Paul highlights that all people, regardless of background, are united in their need for God's grace and justified through faith. This passage underscores the universal offer of salvation and the unity it brings among believers.
The Gospel from Luke presents a stark contrast as Jesus confronts the Pharisees and legal experts, accusing them of hypocrisy for honoring prophets with tombs while continuing the violence of their fathers. Jesus holds them accountable for rejecting God's messengers and warns them against blocking others from faith. This passage serves as a caution against religious complacency and the dangers of spiritual pride.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own response to God's message. We are called to move beyond superficial religiosity and embrace the humility of faith. Just as Paul reminds us of the unifying power of grace, Jesus warns against the barriers we might erect against God's truth. In our daily lives, let us seek to live with authenticity, openness, and a willingness to embrace God's justice and mercy. May we avoid the pitfalls of hypocrisy and instead be vessels of God's love and truth in the world.