Daily Readings - Sat Oct 26 2019
Romans
1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, who are not walking according to the flesh2For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed me from the law of sin and death3For though this was impossible under the law, because it was weakened by the flesh, God sent his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and because of sin, in order to condemn sin in the flesh4so that the justification of the law might be fulfilled in us. For we are not walking according to the flesh, but according to the spirit5For those who are in agreement with the flesh are mindful of the things of the flesh. But those who are in agreement with the spirit are mindful of the things of the spirit6For the prudence of the flesh is death. But the prudence of the spirit is life and peace7And the wisdom of the flesh is inimical to God. For it is not subject to the law of God, nor can it be8So those who are in the flesh are not able to please God9And you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if it is true that the Spirit of God lives within you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him10But if Christ is within you, then the body is indeed dead, concerning sin, but the spirit truly lives, because of justification11But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead lives within you, then he who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead shall also enliven your mortal bodies, by means of his Spirit living within you
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 the transformative power of God’s grace and the call to repentance. The first reading from Romans reminds us that through Christ, we are freed from the law of sin and death, and we are called to live according to the Spirit. This passage emphasizes that our new life in Christ is not about condemnation but about the liberation and peace that come from living in harmony with God’s will. The context of this passage is St. Paul’s larger discussion about the relationship between the law and the Spirit, reassuring believers that their life in Christ is one of freedom and hope.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching about repentance and God’s patience. In response to tragic events, Jesus warns against assuming that suffering is a direct result of sin. Instead, He uses these moments to call all people to repentance, emphasizing that none of us are immune to the need for conversion. The parable of the fig tree reinforces this message, showing that God gives us time and grace to bear fruit, but we must respond with effort and faith. This parable is a powerful reminder that our lives are not static; we are always given the opportunity to grow and change with God’s help.
These readings are deeply connected, as both emphasize the opportunity for transformation and the responsibility that comes with it. In Romans, we see the inner transformation wrought by the Spirit, while in Luke, we are called to outward signs of repentance and fruitful living. Together, they remind us that our relationship with God is one of ongoing conversion and growth. In our daily lives, this means examining our hearts and actions, seeking to live more deeply in the Spirit, and being open to the grace that allows us to bear fruit. The moral lesson here is one of hope and responsibility: God’s grace is abundant, but we must cooperate with it, trusting in His patience while striving to live as fruitful disciples. Let us embrace this call to conversion and growth, knowing that the Spirit of God is always at work within us, leading us to eternal life.