Daily Readings - Thu Oct 10 2024
Galatians
1O senseless Galatians, who has so fascinated you that you would not obey the truth, even though Jesus Christ has been presented before your eyes, crucified among you2I wish to know only this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith3Are you so foolish that, though you began with the Spirit, you would now end with the flesh4Have you been suffering so much without a reason? If so, then it is in vain5Therefore, does he who distributes the Spirit to you, and who works miracles among you, act by the works of the law, or by the hearing of the faith
Luke
5And he said to them: "Which of you will have a friend and will go to him in the middle of the night, and will say to him: ‘Friend, lend me three loaves6because a friend of mine has arrived from a journey to me, and I do not have anything to set before him.7And from within, he would answer by saying: ‘Do not disturb me. The door is closed now, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give it to you.8Yet if he will persevere in knocking, I tell you that, even though he would not get up and give it to him because he is a friend, yet due to his continued insistence, he will get up and give him whatever he needs9And so I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you. Seek, and you shall find. Knock, and it shall be opened to you10For everyone who asks, receives. And whoever seeks, finds. And whoever knocks, it shall be opened to him11So then, who among you, if he asks his father for bread, he would give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he would give him a serpent, instead of a fish12Or if he will ask for an egg, he would offer to him a scorpion13Therefore, if you, being evil, know how to give good things to your sons, how much more will your Father give, from heaven, a spirit of goodness to those who ask him?
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the relationship between faith, prayer, and God’s generous love. In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul expresses frustration with the Galatians for turning away from the Gospel. He reminds them that they received the Spirit through faith, not through works of the law. This emphasizes that our relationship with God is rooted in trust and grace, not in our own efforts or achievements. Paul’s words challenge us to examine our own faith: do we rely on God’s grace, or do we try to earn His favor through external actions?
In the Gospel, Jesus teaches us about the power of persistent prayer through the parable of the friend at midnight. The man’s persistence in knocking eventually moves his friend to act, not because of friendship, but because of his insistence. Jesus then connects this to our relationship with God, assuring us that if even imperfect human fathers know how to give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. This passage reminds us that prayer is not about persuading a reluctant God but about trusting in His love and generosity. Like the persistent friend, we are called to pray with confidence and perseverance, knowing that God desires to give us what is good.
These readings together teach us to trust in God’s grace and to approach Him with boldness in prayer. St. Paul warns us against falling into the trap of self-reliance, while Jesus encourages us to ask, seek, and knock with faith. In our daily lives, this means letting go of the idea that we can earn God’s love and instead embracing the truth that He is a loving Father who desires to give us His Spirit. May we live with the confidence that comes from knowing we are children of God, and may our prayers reflect the trust and perseverance that Jesus teaches.