Daily Readings - Sat Oct 21 2017
Romans
13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Luke
8"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,9but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.11And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the power of faith and trust in our relationship with God. In the first reading from Romans, Paul emphasizes that Abraham's faith, not the law, was the foundation of the promise he received from God. This promise extends to all who share Abraham's faith, making us part of a larger family through grace. The context of this passage is Paul's discussion on the relationship between faith and the law, highlighting that faith is the cornerstone of our inheritance in God's plan.
The Gospel from Luke complements this message by focusing on the importance of confessing Jesus before others and trusting in the Holy Spirit during trials. Jesus teaches that our acknowledgment of him will be acknowledged by him in heaven, while denial will lead to separation. The context here is Jesus preparing his disciples for the challenges they will face, reassuring them that the Holy Spirit will guide their words and actions. Together, these readings underscore the dual aspects of faith: as the foundation of our relationship with God and as the active trust we need in daily life.
In our daily lives, these teachings encourage us to embrace faith as both a belief and a practice. Like Abraham, we are called to trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain. Similarly, we are urged to be bold in our confession of Jesus, trusting that the Holy Spirit will empower us in moments of challenge. The moral lesson here is clear: faith is not passive but an active trust that shapes our actions and decisions, leading us to a deeper and more authentic relationship with God.