Daily Readings - Sat Oct 13 2018
Galatians
22But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.23Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed.24So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.25But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian,26for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.27For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.29And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful reflections on faith, identity, and the unity that comes from following Christ. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that through faith in Jesus Christ, we are all united as children of God, transcending the divisions of this world. Paul emphasizes that the law was a guardian until faith arrived, but now, in Christ, we are free to live as heirs of God’s promise. The second reading from Luke offers a moment of profound teaching when Jesus shifts the focus from bodily ties to spiritual ones. A woman praises Mary, the mother of Jesus, but Christ responds by blessing those who hear and keep the word of God. Together, these readings invite us to reflect on what it means to live as people of faith, united in Christ and committed to living out His teachings.
The context of these readings is deeply rooted in the early Christian community’s struggle to understand its identity. In Galatians, Paul is addressing a church torn between Jewish and Gentile believers, reminding them that their unity comes not from the law or human distinctions but from their shared faith in Christ. In Luke, Jesus is teaching in a public setting, and His response to the woman challenges His listeners to move beyond superficial devotion to a deeper, transformative relationship with God. Both readings call us to recognize that our true identity and purpose are found in Christ, not in the world’s categories or external observances.
As we apply these readings to our daily lives, we are reminded that faith is not just a belief but a way of life. Just as the law was a guardian until faith came, so too must we allow our faith to guide us in living according to God’s will. Like the woman in Luke, we may be tempted to focus on the outward signs of faith, but Jesus calls us to something deeper: hearing and keeping His word. This means living with integrity, compassion, and love, even in the face of challenges. The moral lesson here is clear: our unity as children of God and our commitment to living out the Gospel are the true measures of our faith. Let us strive to embrace this unity and to live in a way that reflects the transformative power of Christ in our lives.