Daily Readings - Tue Oct 15 2024
Galatians
1Stand firm, and do not be willing to be again held by the yoke of servitude2Behold, I, Paul, say to you, that if you have been circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you3For I again testify, about every man circumcising himself, that he is obligated to act according to the entire law4You are being emptied of Christ, you who are being justified by the law. You have fallen from grace5For in spirit, by faith, we await the hope of justice6For in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision prevails over anything, but only faith which works through charity
Luke
37And as he was speaking, a certain Pharisee asked him to eat with him. And going inside, he sat down to eat38But the Pharisee began to say, thinking within himself: "Why might it be that he has not washed before eating?39And the Lord said to him: "You Pharisees today clean what is outside the cup and the plate, but what is inside of you is full of plunder and iniquity40Fools! Did not he who made what is outside, indeed also make what is inside41Yet truly, give what is above as alms, and behold, all things are clean for you
Sermon
In today's readings, we explore the themes of freedom and inner righteousness. The first reading from Galatians 5:1-6, Paul emphasizes the freedom we have in Christ, cautioning against returning to the constraints of the law. He argues that relying on works, such as circumcision, for justification diminishes the grace of Christ. True justification, Paul asserts, comes through faith and the Spirit, urging us to stand firm in this freedom.
The Gospel from Luke 11:37-41 complements this message as Jesus critiques the Pharisees for their focus on external purity. When a Pharisee questions Jesus' lack of washing before eating, Jesus points out their hypocrisy—cleaning the outside of the cup while neglecting the inner greed and wickedness. He advises giving from within, suggesting that inner purity is what truly matters.
Both readings highlight the importance of inner transformation over external practices. Paul warns against legalism, while Jesus condemns superficial piety. Together, they remind us that genuine faith is about the heart, not outward appearances. In our daily lives, this means focusing on love and integrity rather than external rituals. The moral lesson is clear: true faith transforms from within, leading us to live with authenticity and compassion.