Daily Readings - Mon Oct 10 2022
Galatians
22For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a servant woman, and one by a free woman23And he who was of the servant was born according to the flesh. But he who was of the free woman was born by the promise24These things are said through an allegory. For these represent the two testaments. Certainly the one, on Mount Sinai, gives birth unto servitude, which is Hagar25For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which is related to the Jerusalem of the present time, and it serves with her sons26But that Jerusalem which is above is free; the same is our mother27For it was written: "Rejoice, O barren one, though you do not conceive. Burst forth and cry out, though you do not give birth. For many are the children of the desolate, even more than of her who has a husband.28Now we, brothers, like Isaac, are sons of the promise29But just as then, he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now30And what does Scripture say? "Cast out the woman servant and her son. For the son of a servant women shall not be an heir with the son of a free woman.31And so, brothers, we are not the sons of the servant woman, but rather of the free woman. And this is the freedom with which Christ has set us free
Luke
29Then, as the crowds were quickly gathering, he began to say: "This generation is a wicked generation: it seeks a sign. But no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah30For just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of man be to this generation31The queen of the South will rise up, at the judgment, with the men of this generation, and she will condemn them. For she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, more than Solomon is here32The men of Nineveh will rise up, at the judgment, with this generation, and they will condemn it. For at the preaching of Jonah, they repented. And behold, more than Jonah is here
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the themes of freedom, faith, and the call to live as children of the promise. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to contrast the two covenants: one of slavery and the other of freedom. Hagar represents the old covenant, tied to the law and human effort, while Sarah symbolizes the new covenant, born of God’s promise and grace. Paul reminds us that we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman, and thus we should stand firm in the freedom Christ has won for us. This freedom is not a license to do as we please, but a call to live in the Spirit, unencumbered by the yoke of sin or legalism.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks to the crowds about the sign of Jonah, emphasizing that true faith does not rely on external signs but on the transformative power of God’s word. The people of Nineveh repented at Jonah’s preaching, and the queen of the South came seeking wisdom. Jesus points out that something greater than Jonah and Solomon is here—himself—and yet many still refuse to repent. This challenges us to examine our own hearts: do we seek signs and excuses, or do we trust in God’s presence and grace?
These readings call us to live as people of faith, trusting in God’s promises rather than relying on our own strength or seeking external validation. True freedom comes from surrendering to God’s will and living in the Spirit. Let us not be content with mediocrity or complacency. Instead, let us embrace the freedom Christ offers, repent of our sins, and live as children of the promise, bearing fruit in love, joy, and service to others.