Daily Readings - Sat Oct 19 2019
Romans
13For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.16That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring--not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all,17as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations"--in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.18In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be."
Luke
8"And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God,9but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God.10And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.11And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say,12for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are invited to reflect on the power of faith and the trust we place in God’s promises. The first reading from Romans reminds us of Abraham’s unwavering faith in God’s promise, even when all human hope seemed lost. Paul emphasizes that Abraham’s faith, not his observance of the law, was the foundation of his relationship with God. This faith was so strong that it brought life to what was barren and gave existence to what did not exist. Abraham’s story teaches us that God’s promises are not limited by human limitations but are fulfilled through trust in His divine plan.
The Gospel reading from Luke complements this theme by highlighting the importance of confessing our faith in Jesus boldly. Jesus assures us that if we acknowledge Him before others, He will acknowledge us before the angels of God. However, this passage also warns us about the gravity of rejecting the Holy Spirit, the source of truth and guidance. When we face challenges or persecutions, we are reminded not to rely on our own strength but to trust in the Holy Spirit, who will guide us in our words and actions. This teaching calls us to live with courage and fidelity, knowing that God is always with us.
These readings challenge us to examine our own faith and trust in God. Like Abraham, we are called to believe beyond what we can see or understand, trusting that God’s promises are always at work in our lives. Like the disciples in the Gospel, we are invited to profess our faith boldly, even in uncertain times, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and wisdom. Let us ask ourselves: Do we truly trust in God’s plan for our lives? Are we willing to stand firm in our faith, even when it is difficult? May we, like Abraham, become fathers and mothers of faith, trusting in the God who brings life out of nothing and who guides us through the Holy Spirit.