Daily Readings - Sat Oct 27 2018
Ephesians
7But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.8Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."9(In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?10He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)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,14so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.15Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,16from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Luke
1There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.2And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way?3No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.4Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?5No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."6And he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none.7And he said to the vinedresser, 'Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?'8And he answered him, 'Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure.9Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.'"
Sermon
In today's readings, we are invited to reflect on our roles within the Christian community and our personal journey towards spiritual growth. The first reading from Ephesians reminds us that each of us has been given unique gifts and talents, entrusted to us by God. These gifts are not for personal gain but for the edification of the body of Christ, fostering unity and maturity in faith. The context is St. Paul addressing the early church, emphasizing that each member plays a vital role in the community's growth. The church is called to move beyond childish ways, swayed by every doctrine, and instead grow in love and truth.
The Gospel from Luke presents Jesus teaching about repentance and God's patience. He uses the parable of the fig tree to illustrate that each of us is given time to bear spiritual fruit. The fig tree, symbolizing each believer, is nurtured and given opportunities to produce fruit, reflecting our responsibility to use our gifts wisely. The connection between the readings lies in the emphasis on stewardship and purpose. Ephesians highlights our roles, while Luke underscores the need for fruitful living, reminding us that our gifts must be used to bear fruit in service and love.
In our daily lives, this calls us to reflect on how we use our talents and gifts. We are encouraged to avoid complacency and instead strive for continuous spiritual growth. The moral lesson is clear: we are stewards of God's grace, called to repentance and fruitful living. As we go about our days, let us remember that our actions have consequences and that we are given time to grow. May we embrace our roles, seek spiritual nourishment, and produce fruit that reflects God's love, living with purpose and humility.