Daily Readings - Fri Oct 25 2019

Romans

18For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.19For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.20Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.21So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.22For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,23but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.24Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Luke

54He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, 'A shower is coming.' And so it happens.55And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat,' and it happens.56You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?57"And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?58As you go with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer put you in prison.59I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny."

Sermon

The readings today invite us to reflect on the human condition and our relationship with God. In the first reading from Romans, St. Paul describes the internal struggle we all face between good and evil. He acknowledges that while we may want to do good, our flesh often leads us to do the opposite. This struggle is universal, and Paul cries out in frustration, recognizing that he is trapped in this cycle of sin. Yet, he finds hope in the grace of God through Jesus Christ, who frees us from the body of death. In the Gospel, Jesus challenges us to discern the signs of the times and to act with justice. He criticizes the hypocrisy of those who can predict the weather but fail to see the urgency of living according to God's will. Jesus encourages us to resolve conflicts quickly and to avoid being trapped in sin and judgment. Both readings remind us that while we are weak and prone to sin, God's grace is available to us. However, we must take responsibility for our actions and seek reconciliation. As we apply these readings to our lives, let us recognize the areas where we struggle with sin and turn to God for help. Let us also be mindful of the need to live justly and to resolve conflicts in a spirit of love and compassion. May we rely on God's grace to overcome our weaknesses and may we strive to live as children of light, discerning the will of God in our daily lives.