Daily Readings - Mon Oct 29 2018
Ephesians
32Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.7Therefore do not associate with them;8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
Luke
10Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.11And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.12When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, "Woman, you are freed from your disability."13And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God.14But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, "There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day."15Then the Lord answered him, "You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it?16And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?"17As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the call to live as children of light and to embrace the freedom and healing that Christ offers. The first reading from Ephesians exhorts us to live with kindness, mercy, and forgiveness, imitating God’s love. It warns us against allowing sin to take root in our lives, urging us instead to walk in the light of Christ. The Gospel from Luke presents a vivid scene of Jesus healing a woman bent over for eighteen years, despite the objections of the synagogue ruler who insists that healing should not happen on the Sabbath. Jesus’ response highlights the hypocrisy of valuing rules over human dignity, emphasizing that the Sabbath is a day for restoration and freedom, not just rigid observance.
These readings are deeply connected in their emphasis on living out God’s will in love and compassion. The Ephesians passage calls us to a life of holiness and gratitude, while the Gospel reminds us that true holiness is not about strict adherence to rules but about serving others and bringing healing to those in need. Together, they challenge us to examine how we live out our faith—whether we prioritize love and mercy or get caught up in empty traditions and legalism.
As we reflect on these readings, let us ask ourselves: Are there areas in my life where I am bound by unnecessary constraints or habits that prevent me from living fully as a child of God? Am I willing to step out of my comfort zone to bring light and healing to others? May we, like the woman in the Gospel, experience the liberating touch of Christ and, in turn, become instruments of His love and freedom for others. Let us walk as children of the light, always mindful of the transformative power of God’s mercy and the call to live with compassion and joy.