Daily Readings - Fri Oct 30 2020

¹Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons²Grace and peace to you, from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ³I give thanks to my God, with every remembrance of you⁴always, in all my prayers, making supplication for all of you with joy⁵because of your communion in the Gospel of Christ, from the first day even until now⁶I am confident of this very thing: that he who has begun this good work in you will perfect it, unto the day of Christ Jesus⁷So then, it is right for me to feel this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart, and because, in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the Gospel, you all are partakers of my joy⁸For God is my witness how, within the heart of Jesus Christ, I long for all of you⁹And this I pray: that your charity may abound more and more, with knowledge and with all understanding¹⁰so that you may be confirmed in what is better, in order that you may be sincere and without offense on the day of Christ¹¹filled with the fruit of justice, through Jesus Christ, in the glory and praise of God

Luke

Chapter 14

¹And it happened that, when Jesus entered the house of a certain leader of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were observing him²And behold, a certain man before him was afflicted with edema³And responding, Jesus spoke to the experts in the law and to the Pharisees, saying, "Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?⁴But they kept silent. Yet truly, taking hold of him, he healed him and sent him away⁵And responding to them, he said, "Which of you will have a donkey or an ox fall into a pit, and will not promptly pull him out, on the day of the Sabbath?⁶And they were unable to respond to him about these things

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in living out our faith. The first reading from Philippians expresses Paul's deep gratitude and confidence in the Philippians' commitment to the Gospel. Despite his imprisonment, Paul rejoices in their partnership and prays for their continued growth in love and understanding. This epistle, written during Paul's confinement, reflects his unwavering trust in God's plan and his affection for the community he nurtured. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene where Jesus heals a man with edema on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees' strict legalism. Jesus' compassionate act underscores the importance of love and mercy over rigid adherence to rules. This encounter highlights Jesus' mission to bring wholeness and His willingness to confront traditions that hinder genuine human connection. Both readings converge on the theme of prioritizing love and compassion. Paul's letter illustrates the transformative power of faith and community, while Jesus' healing emphasizes that true service to God involves caring for others, even when it challenges conventions. As we reflect on these passages, we are reminded to trust in God's work within us and to act with compassion, ensuring our actions reflect the love and freedom found in Christ. Let us embrace a faith that is not bound by rules but flourishes through love and service.