Daily Readings - Fri Oct 19 2018

¹¹In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,¹²so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.¹³In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,¹⁴who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Luke

Chapter 12

¹In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.²Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.³Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.⁴"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.⁵But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.⁷Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the profound relationship between God’s plan for us and our response to His call in daily life. In the first reading from Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us that we have been chosen by God, predestined in accordance with His will, and sealed with the Holy Spirit as a pledge of our inheritance. This passage emphasizes that our lives are not random or without purpose; we are part of a divine plan, and everything unfolds under God’s providence. The Gospel from Luke complements this by warning us against hypocrisy and encouraging us to live with integrity, trusting in God’s care and providence rather than fearing the opinions or actions of others. The context of Ephesians is a letter to the early Christian community, reassuring them of their identity as God’s chosen people. Paul wants them to understand that their faith is not just a personal choice but a calling rooted in God’s eternal plan. In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus is addressing his disciples, cautioning them against the hypocrisy of the Pharisees and urging them to live authentically. He reminds them that nothing is hidden forever and that they should not fear those who can harm the body but have no power over the soul. Instead, they should trust in God, who knows and cares for even the smallest details of their lives. These readings are deeply connected. Both emphasize living in accordance with God’s will and trusting in His plan. Ephesians calls us to recognize our dignity as children of God, while Luke’s Gospel challenges us to live with honesty and courage, free from the fear of others. Together, they remind us that our lives are not our own but are part of a larger story shaped by God’s love. In daily life, this means embracing our faith with integrity, rejecting hypocrisy, and trusting that God’s providence will guide us through every challenge. Let us strive to live in such a way that we reflect the truth of who we are: beloved children of God, sealed with the Holy Spirit and called to His glory.