Daily Readings - Tue Oct 20 2020
Ephesians
12and that you were, in that time, without Christ, being foreign to the way of life of Israel, being visitors to the testament, having no hope of the promise, and being without God in this world13But now, in Christ Jesus, you, who were in times past far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ14For he is our peace. He made the two into one, by dissolving the intermediate wall of separation, of opposition, by his flesh15emptying the law of commandments by decree, so that he might join these two, in himself, into one new man, making peac16and reconciling both to God, in one body, through the cross, destroying this opposition in himself17And upon arriving, he evangelized peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near18For by him, we both have access, in the one Spirit, to the Father19Now, therefore, you are no longer visitors and new arrivals. Instead, you are citizens among the saints in the household of God20having been built upon the foundation of the Apostles and of the Prophets, with Jesus Christ himself as the preeminent cornerstone21In him, all that has been built is framed together, rising up into a holy temple in the Lord22In him, you also have been built together into a habitation of God in the Spirit
Luke
35Let your waists be girded, and let lamps be burning in your hands36And let you yourselves be like men awaiting their lord, when he will return from the wedding; so that, when he arrives and knocks, they may open to him promptly37Blessed are those servants whom the Lord, when he returns, will find being vigilant. Amen I say to you, that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, while he, continuing on, will minister to them38And if he will return in the second watch, or if in the third watch, and if he will find them to be so: then blessed are those servants
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore themes of unity and preparedness, both essential for a life rooted in faith. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that through Christ, we are united, breaking down walls of separation and becoming part of God's household. This unity is not just a spiritual concept but a call to live as one body, reconciled through Christ's sacrifice. The context of Paul's letter to the Ephesians emphasizes the inclusion of Gentiles, illustrating God's plan to unify all people in His family.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to preparedness. Jesus teaches us to be vigilant, like servants awaiting their master's return. This preparedness is not about fear but about faithful living, ensuring our actions reflect our commitment to Christ. The servants who are ready are blessed, as they embody the readiness to serve at any moment, trusting in God's timing.
Together, these readings call us to live in unity and vigilance. Our unity in Christ should inspire us to live harmoniously and supportively, while our preparedness should manifest in daily acts of service and mindfulness. The moral lesson here is clear: we are called to be one in Christ and to live each day with the readiness to serve Him faithfully. Let us embrace this dual call, living as united and vigilant followers of Christ.