Daily Readings - Fri Oct 22 2021
Romans
18For I know that what is good does not live within me, that is, within my flesh. For the willingness to do good lies close to me, but the carrying out of that good, I cannot reach19For I do not do the good that I want to do. But instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do20Now if I do what I am not willing to do, it is no longer I who am doing it, but the sin which lives within me21And so, I discover the law, by wanting to do good within myself, though evil lies close beside me22For I am delighted with the law of God, according to the inner man23But I perceive another law within my body, fighting against the law of my mind, and captivating me with the law of sin which is in my body24Unhappy man that I am, who will free me from this body of death25The grace of God, by Jesus Christ our Lord! Therefore, I serve the law of God with my own mind; but with the flesh, the law of sin
Luke
54And he also said to the crowds: "When you see a cloud rising from the setting of the sun, immediately you say, ‘A rain cloud is coming.’ And so it does55And when a south wind is blowing, you say, ‘It will be hot.’ And so it is56You hypocrites! You discern the face of the heavens, and of the earth, yet how is it that you do not discern this time57And why do you not, even among yourselves, judge what is just58So, when you are going with your adversary to the ruler, while you are on the way, make an effort to be freed from him, lest perhaps he may lead you to the judge, and the judge may deliver you to the officer, and the officer may cast you into prison59I tell you, you will not depart from there, until you have paid the very last coin.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans describes the internal struggle of St. Paul, who laments the tension between his desire to do good and his inability to fully achieve it due to the presence of sin within him. He acknowledges the law of God that delights his inner being, but he is also aware of another law at work in his body, warring against his mind and binding him to sin. This struggle is both deeply personal and universally relatable, as we all experience the gap between our aspirations and our actions.
The Gospel reading from Luke shifts our focus outward, as Jesus challenges the crowd to examine their spiritual awareness. He criticizes them for being able to interpret the signs of nature—such as clouds and wind—yet failing to discern the signs of the times spiritually. Jesus urges them to settle their disputes quickly and to avoid the consequences of judgment, warning that once we are entangled in conflict, it can lead to a kind of spiritual imprisonment from which it is hard to escape. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on our own self-awareness and our relationship with God and others.
These readings call us to recognize the tension within ourselves between good and evil, light and darkness. Like St. Paul, we may feel trapped by our own weaknesses, but we are reminded that our liberation comes through the grace of God in Jesus Christ. At the same time, Jesus’ words in the Gospel challenge us to be honest about our spiritual state and to act with urgency in seeking reconciliation and justice. Let us ask ourselves: Do we acknowledge our own struggles and limitations? Are we attentive to the signs of God’s presence in our lives? Let us turn to God with humility, seeking His grace to overcome our sin and to live with greater integrity and love.