Daily Readings - Sat Oct 26 2024
Ephesians
7Yet to each one of us there has been given grace according to the measure allotted by Christ8Because of this, he says: "Ascending on high, he took captivity itself captive; he gave gifts to men.9Now that he has ascended, what is left except for him also to descend, first to the lower parts of the earth10He who descended is the same one who also ascended above all the heavens, so that he might fulfill everything11And the same one granted that some would be Apostles, and some Prophets, yet truly others evangelists, and others pastors and teachers12for the sake of the perfection of the saints, by the work of the ministry, in the edification of the body of Christ13until we all meet in the unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as a perfect man, in the measure of the age of the fullness of Christ14So may we then no longer be little children, disturbed and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the wickedness of men, and by the craftiness which deceives unto error15Instead, acting according to truth in charity, we should increase in everything, in him who is the head, Christ himself16For in him, the whole body is joined closely together, by every underlying joint, through the function allotted to each part, bringing improvement to the body, toward its edification in charity
Luke
1And there were present, at that very time, some who were reporting about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices2And responding, he said to them: "Do you think that these Galileans must have sinned more than all other Galileans, because they suffered so much3No, I tell you. But unless you repent, you will all perish similarly4And those eighteen upon whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they also were greater transgressors than all the men living in Jerusalem5No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, you will all perish similarly.6And he also told this parable: "A certain man had a fig tree, which was planted in his vineyard. And he came seeking fruit on it, but found none7Then he said to the cultivator of the vineyard: ‘Behold, for these three years I came seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I have found none. Therefore, cut it down. For why should it even occupy the land?8But in response, he said to him: ‘Lord, let it be for this year also, during which time I will dig around it and add fertilizer9And, indeed, it should bear fruit. But if not, in the future, you shall cut it down.’
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the gifts we have been given and the call to bear fruit in our lives. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that each of us has been given grace "according to the measure allotted by Christ." This grace is not for our own benefit alone but for the "perfection of the saints" and the "edification of the body of Christ." Paul emphasizes that we are all part of the same body, united in faith and called to grow together in the knowledge of the Son of God. He warns against being "tossed by every wind of doctrine" and instead urges us to "act according to truth in charity," growing in unity and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus tells a parable about a fig tree that fails to bear fruit. The owner of the vineyard is ready to cut it down, but the cultivator pleads for one more year, promising to care for it and fertilize it, hoping it will bear fruit. This parable is a call to repentance and spiritual fruitfulness. Jesus is reminding us that we are given time and grace to grow, but we must not take these gifts for granted. Like the fig tree, we are called to produce fruit in our lives—fruit that comes from living in accordance with God’s will and sharing His love with others.
Together, these readings remind us that grace is a gift, but it requires our response. We are called to use the gifts we have been given to build up the body of Christ and to live in a way that reflects our faith. Like the fig tree, we are given time to grow, but we must not become complacent. Let us ask ourselves: Am I using the gifts God has given me to serve others and to grow in holiness? Am I bearing fruit in my life through love, kindness, and service? Let us repent of any shortcomings and turn to God with renewed commitment, trusting in His mercy and patience. May we grow in unity and love, bearing fruit that reflects the fullness of Christ in our lives.