Daily Readings - Sat Oct 28 2023
Ephesians
19Now, 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
12And it happened that, in those days, he went out to a mountain to pray. And he was in the prayer of God throughout the night13And when daylight had arrived, he called his disciples. And he chose twelve out of them (whom he also named Apostles)14Simon, whom he surnamed Peter, and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew15Matthew and Thomas, James of Alphaeus, and Simon who is called the Zealot16and Jude of James, and Judas Iscariot, who was a traitor17And descending with them, he stood in a level place with a multitude of his disciples, and a copious multitude of people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast, and Tyre and Sidon18who had come so that they might listen to him and be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled by unclean spirits were cured19And the entire crowd was trying to touch him, because power went out from him and healed all
Sermon
The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that we, as followers of Christ, are not strangers or outsiders but are instead citizens in the household of God. We are part of a living temple, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. This passage emphasizes our unity and belonging within the Body of Christ, where each of us has a place and a purpose. The second reading from Luke’s Gospel shows Jesus at prayer, choosing his twelve Apostles, and then descending to a place where he heals the sick and brings hope to the multitude. This passage highlights Jesus’ deep connection with the Father, his mission to heal and restore, and the call to follow him in serving others.
Both readings are connected by the theme of community and mission. In Ephesians, we see the Church as a spiritual temple, built on the foundation of faith and united in Christ. In Luke’s Gospel, we see the beginnings of that community—the selection of the Apostles, who would become the leaders of the early Church, and Jesus’ ministry of healing, which reflects God’s love and mercy. Together, these readings remind us that we are part of something much larger than ourselves—a community called to live out God’s love and to bring healing and hope to the world.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: How am I contributing to the building up of God’s temple? Am I rooted in prayer and faith? Am I reaching out to others, especially those in need of healing or comfort? Let us strive to live as citizens of God’s household, united in Christ and committed to his mission. May we, like the Apostles, be willing to follow Jesus and to serve others, trusting in his power to transform lives. In doing so, we become living stones in the temple of God, a place where his love and light shine forth for all to see.