Daily Readings - Thu Oct 08 2020
Galatians
1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.2Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?3Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?4Did you suffer so many things in vain--if indeed it was in vain?5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith--
Luke
5And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves,6for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him';7and he will answer from within, 'Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything'?8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs.9And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.10For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.11What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent;12or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?13If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful messages that guide us in our spiritual journey. The first reading from Galatians reminds us that our relationship with God is rooted in faith, not in following the law. Paul expresses frustration that the Galatians are turning back to legalistic practices after experiencing the freedom of the Spirit. He emphasizes that the Spirit is received through faith, not through works, urging them to trust in God's grace.
The Gospel from Luke presents a parable about a persistent friend asking for bread, teaching us about the importance of relentless prayer. Jesus uses this story to illustrate that just as the persistent friend eventually receives what he needs, our persistent prayers will be heard by a loving Father. This parable is a beautiful reminder of God's goodness and His desire to give us what we need, even when we feel our prayers are going unanswered.
These readings connect through the themes of faith and persistence. Paul urges us to trust in God's grace, while Jesus teaches us to approach God with confidence and perseverance. In our daily lives, we are called to live by faith, trusting in God's plan, and to pray without losing heart, knowing that our loving Father desires to give us good gifts. May we embrace this truth, deepening our trust in God and persisting in prayer, confident in His love and provision.