Daily Readings - Thu Oct 24 2019
Romans
19I am speaking in human terms because of the infirmity of your flesh. For just as you offered the parts of your body to serve impurity and iniquity, for the sake of iniquity, so also have you now yielded the parts of your body to serve justice, for the sake of sanctification20For though you were once the servants of sin, you have become the children of justice21But what fruit did you hold at that time, in those things about which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death22Yet truly, having been freed now from sin, and having been made servants of God, you hold your fruit in sanctification, and truly its end is eternal life23For the wages of sin is death. But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
Luke
49I have come to cast a fire upon the earth. And what should I desire, except that it may be kindled50And I have a baptism, with which I am to be baptized. And how I am constrained, even until it may be accomplished51Do you think that I have come to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but division52For from this time on, there will be five in one house: divided as three against two, and as two against three53A father will be divided against a son, and a son against his father; a mother against a daughter and a daughter against a mother; a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of faith and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Romans 6:19-23 speaks of a profound shift from a life of sin to one of justice and sanctification. Paul emphasizes that our bodies, once instruments of sin, are now dedicated to righteousness, leading to eternal life. This transformation is not merely internal but affects every aspect of our being, guiding our actions toward justice and holiness.
The Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 presents a complementary yet contrasting message. Jesus speaks of casting fire upon the earth, symbolizing the disruptive and divisive nature of His mission. This fire does not bring peace but division, even within families, as following Christ requires making difficult choices and standing firm in faith despite opposition. This teaching underscores the cost of discipleship, where commitment to Christ may lead to tension and conflict.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our faith. While Romans highlights the internal transformation and its eternal rewards, Luke reminds us of the external challenges and divisions that accompany a life of faith. In our daily lives, this means embracing the call to justice and righteousness, even when it leads to difficult decisions. The Christian life is not one of ease but of commitment, requiring us to stand firm in our beliefs, even in the face of division. The reward, as Paul notes, is eternal life—a promise that strengthens us as we navigate life's challenges with faith and courage.