Daily Readings - Thu Oct 21 2021
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 encourages believers to turn away from sin and towards justice, emphasizing that this transformation leads to sanctification and eternal life. The Gospel from Luke presents a more intense message, where Jesus speaks of bringing fire and division, challenging the notion of peace and comfort. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our commitment to faith and the changes it necessitates in our lives.
The context of Romans is Paul’s discussion on sanctification, urging believers to live righteously and reject sin. In Luke, Jesus emphasizes that his message is not one of comfort but of challenge, leading to division even within families. Both readings highlight transformation—Romans focusing on inner change and Luke on the external impact of that change. This duality reminds us that embracing faith requires both personal transformation and the courage to face its consequences.
Applying these teachings to daily life, we are called to recognize that following Christ involves change and may lead to challenges or divisions. It requires commitment and standing firm in our faith, even when it is difficult. The moral lesson here is clear: embracing the transformative power of faith leads to eternal life, but it is not without its costs. We must be willing to face division and stand for justice and righteousness, trusting in God’s promise of eternal life.