Daily Readings - Thu Oct 11 2018
Galatians
1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.2Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain?5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith--
Luke
5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our relationship with God. The first reading from Galatians expresses Paul's concern for the Galatians, who were swayed by false teachings that emphasized works of the law over faith. Paul reminds them that it is through faith in Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law, that they receive the Holy Spirit. He questions their return to the law, urging them to trust in the grace of God.
In the Gospel, Luke presents Jesus teaching on the importance of persistent prayer through the parable of a friend asking for bread at midnight. Jesus illustrates that even a reluctant friend will eventually respond to persistent requests, and if human fathers give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. This emphasizes trust in God's generosity and the value of perseverance in prayer.
These readings are connected by the theme of trust in God's love and provision. Paul highlights that our justification comes through faith, not works, while Jesus teaches us to trust in God's goodness and to pray with persistence. In our daily lives, we are called to live with faith, trusting that God will provide what we need. We should approach prayer with confidence, knowing that our Father in heaven is always ready to give us His Spirit. Let us embrace this trust, living with faith and perseverance, knowing that God's love and providence guide us always.