Daily Readings - Thu Sep 21 2017
Ephesians
1I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,2with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,3eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call--5one Lord, one faith, one baptism,6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,13until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,
Matthew
9As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.10And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.11And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"12But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.13Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound call to unity and compassion that lies at the heart of our Christian faith. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to live in a manner worthy of our vocation, emphasizing humility, patience, and the preservation of unity within the body of Christ. It highlights the diverse gifts given to each of us, not for personal glory, but to build up the entire community in faith and knowledge of the Son of God. This passage, written to the early Christian community, underscores the importance of each member contributing to the common good, fostering a Church that is both unified and vibrant.
The Gospel from Matthew presents a vivid scene of Jesus' ministry, where he calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with sinners and outcasts. This act of inclusion provokes the Pharisees, who question Jesus' choice of companions. Jesus' response is a powerful reminder of his mission: he came not for the righteous, but for sinners. This encounter emphasizes the central theme of mercy over judgment, urging us to embrace those on the fringes of society just as Jesus did.
These readings together call us to reflect on our own lives and communities. We are challenged to live with humility and patience, using our unique gifts to serve others and promote unity. Like Jesus, we are to reach out with compassion to those who feel marginalized, remembering that it is mercy that truly reflects God's love. As we strive to live out our faith, may we be inspired by these teachings to create a community that is both inclusive and nurturing, where everyone can find their place in the body of Christ.