Daily Readings - Fri Oct 27 2017
Romans
18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Luke
54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens.55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens.56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?58As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on the human condition and our relationship with God. The first reading from Romans and the Gospel from Luke both invite us to examine our inner lives and our external actions, urging us to seek grace and live with spiritual urgency.
Paul’s letter to the Romans paints a vivid picture of the internal struggle we all face. He describes the tension between our desire to do good and the pull of sin, acknowledging that even when we want to act rightly, we often fall short. This struggle is deeply personal, a war within ourselves where our flesh and spirit are in conflict. Yet, Paul does not leave us in despair. He points us to the grace of God through Jesus Christ, reminding us that our liberation from this inner turmoil comes not from our own efforts, but from God’s mercy and love.
In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to live with urgency. Just as we can predict the weather by observing the sky, Jesus calls us to recognize the spiritual realities that surround us. He warns us against hypocrisy and complacency, urging us to settle our disputes and seek reconciliation before it is too late. The image of being thrown into prison until we have paid the last coin is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting our spiritual lives.
Both readings, though different in tone and focus, point us to the same truth: we are in need of God’s grace, and we must live with intentionality and urgency. Paul’s struggle reminds us that we cannot overcome sin on our own, while Jesus’ words call us to be attentive to God’s will and to act with integrity. Together, they invite us to a life of humility, self-awareness, and trust in God’s providence.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Where am I struggling with sin? How can I seek God’s grace more deeply? Am I attentive to the spiritual signs around me? Let us pray for the courage to acknowledge our weaknesses and for the wisdom to live in accordance with God’s will. May we trust in His grace to free us from the prison of sin and to guide us on the path of righteousness.