Daily Readings - Fri Sep 21 2018
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 live a life of unity and humility, and to embody God's mercy in our interactions with others. The first reading from Ephesians encourages us to embrace our Christian vocation with humility and patience, striving to maintain the unity of the Spirit. It highlights the diverse gifts we receive, such as apostles, prophets, and teachers, all intended to build up the body of Christ. This passage emphasizes that our unity is not about uniformity but about harmonious diversity, each contributing our unique gifts for the common good.
The Gospel from Matthew illustrates this teaching through Jesus' actions. When Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector, and dines with sinners, He exemplifies the unity and mercy spoken of in Ephesians. The Pharisees' criticism prompts Jesus to quote Hosea, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice," underscoring God's preference for compassion over ritual. Jesus' ministry is one of inclusion, reaching out to those on the margins, and this challenges us to do the same.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to humility and mercy. We are urged to recognize the gifts in others and work together for the edification of our communities. Just as Jesus reached out to sinners, we too should embrace those who feel excluded, showing compassion and understanding. Let us remember that our faith is not about judgment but about love and inclusion. By living out these values, we become the body of Christ, united in our diversity and merciful in our interactions.