Daily Readings - Fri Oct 05 2018
Job
12"Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place,13that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it?14It is changed like clay under the seal, and its features stand out like a garment.15From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.16"Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?17Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?18Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.19"Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness,20that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home?21You know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
Luke
13"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14But it will be more bearable in the judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.15And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades.16"The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter profound reflections on humility and accountability. The first reading from Job depicts a moment of divine confrontation, where God questions Job about the creation of the world and natural phenomena. Job, humbled by the realization of his own limitations, responds with a deep sense of awe and repentance, acknowledging his place before the Almighty. This passage reminds us of the vastness of God's power and our own finite understanding, urging us to approach life with humility.
The Gospel from Luke shifts our focus to Jesus' reproach of the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities, despite witnessing miracles, failed to repent. Jesus highlights that their accountability is greater due to the opportunities they had, contrasting them with Tyre and Sidon, which would have repented under similar circumstances. This passage underscores the theme of accountability and the consequences of rejecting God's grace.
Both readings tie together through the themes of humility and response to God's presence. Job's humility in the face of divine questioning mirrors the call to repentance in the Gospel. In our daily lives, we are reminded to recognize the blessings and signs God provides. We must approach life with gratitude and humility, acknowledging our limitations and God's sovereignty. The moral lesson is clear: we must respond to God's grace with openness and a willingness to change, avoiding the spiritual complacency that leads to downfall. Let us seek to live in accordance with God's will, embracing humility and repentance as we navigate our faith journey.