Daily Readings - Thu Oct 08 2020
Galatians
1O senseless Galatians, who has so fascinated you that you would not obey the truth, even though Jesus Christ has been presented before your eyes, crucified among you2I wish to know only this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith3Are you so foolish that, though you began with the Spirit, you would now end with the flesh4Have you been suffering so much without a reason? If so, then it is in vain5Therefore, does he who distributes the Spirit to you, and who works miracles among you, act by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith
Luke
5And he said to them: "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves6because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I do not have anything to set before him.7And from within, he would answer by saying: ‘Do not disturb me. The door is closed now, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.8Yet if he will persevere in knocking, I tell you that, even though he would not get up and give it to him because he is a friend, yet due to his continued insistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs9And so I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you10For everyone who asks, receives. And whoever seeks, finds. And whoever knocks, it shall be opened to him11So then, who among you, if he asks his father for bread, he would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he would give him a serpent, instead of a fish12Or if he will ask for an egg, he would offer to him a scorpion13Therefore, if you, being evil, know how to give good things to your sons, how much more will your Father give, from heaven, a spirit of goodness to those who ask him?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith, not in following the law. Paul expresses frustration that the Galatians are turning back to legalistic practices after experiencing the freedom of the Spirit. He emphasizes that the Spirit is received through faith, not through works, urging them to trust in God's grace.
The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a persistent friend asking for bread, teaching us about the importance of relentless prayer. Jesus uses this story to illustrate that just as the persistent friend eventually receives what he needs, our persistent prayers will be heard by a loving Father. This parable is a beautiful reminder of God's goodness and His desire to give us what we need, even when we feel our prayers are going unanswered.
These readings connect through the themes of faith and persistence. Paul urges us to trust in God's grace, while Jesus teaches us to approach God with confidence and perseverance. In our daily lives, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's plan, and to pray without losing heart, knowing that our loving Father desires to give us good gifts. May we embrace this truth, deepening our trust in God and persisting in prayer, confident in His love and provision.